Skip to main content

Full text of "Report of the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, made by order of the Secretary of War according to acts of Congress of March 2, 1867, and March 3, 1869"

See other formats 


'mm 


mn-- .  :■'■,".  ^  \^ 


■'x.v^-  :>it^ 


Jr^')  "\i 


'-'■  \  I] 


3^^-5'i^'^!'-'?;"'^f ':'^''-V  *  ^'- 


^#fi^^ 


■„ri;|*  V  '■.^^.':^^"  '}n*5-'^' 


.V^t;-^^ 


.-  •Vij-.-'t:-  ^"'  ; 


^;.^/'f?v.^;-\-;-i^.*; ",'»-'  .. .  -v.-'i^' 


■4S\t^f" 


!'i'f"r^-"l^^vt  V/^'i"' 


^r^:-/*r 


^MS3 


'.: .";  *si'-  ■  -. 


■jV',  ''\;j^,rVri 


W 


wwirw 


'■■; : ' 


V '«'>;".  •..  / 


PROFESSIONAL  PAPERS  OF  THE  ENGINEER  DEPARTMENT,  U.  S.  ARMY. 

No.  18. 


REPORT 


OF    THE 


tf  J6  GEOLOGICAL  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  FORTIETH  PARALLEL, 


MADE 


BY  ORDER  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  ACCORDING  TO  ACTS  OF 
CONGRESS  OF  MARCH  2,  1867,  AND  MARCH  3,  1869, 


UNDER   THE  DIRKCTION  OF 


BRIG.  AND  BVT.  MAJOR  GENERAL  A.  A.  HUMPHREYS, 

CHIEF  OF  ENGINEERS 


CLARENCE  KING, 

U.  S.  GEOLOGIST. 


l-II 


Q/^' 


VOLUME  IV. 


III-IV 


x     r 


UNITED  STATES  GEOLOGICAL  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  FORTIETH  PARALLEL. 
CliAEENCB  KING,  GEOLCGIST-IN-CHARGE. 


PART  I. 

PALEONTOLOGY. 


BV 

F.    B.    MEEK. 


PART   II. 

P^L  ^K ONTOLOGY  Y 

BY 

JAMES   HALI^   AND    R.    P.    WHITFIELD. 


PART  II  r. 

ORNITHOLOGY. 

BY 

KOBERT    RIDGWAY. 


SUBMITTED  TO  TUE  CHIEF  OF  ENGINEERS  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF 
WAR  UNDER  AUTHORITY  OF  CONGRESS. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY   XXIV   PLATES. 


WASHINGTON: 
GOVEBNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE, 

18  7  7.  v-vi 


/J^  /  J  K 


"\ 


\ 


TABLE     OF    CONTENTS- 


Page. 

Intboduotoby  letter XI 

Part     I.  Paleontology,  by  F.  B.  Meek 1 

inteodtjctory  remarks 3 

Descriptions  of  fossils— Silurian  species 17 

Devonian  species 25 

Carboniferous  species 50 

Triassic  species 99 

Jurassic  species  .  130 

Cretaceous  species 140 

Fresh  and  Brackish- water  species  .  163 

Tertiary  species 182 

Part  II.  Paleontology,  by  James  Hall  and  E.  P.  Whitfield 198 

General  remarks 199 

Fossils  of  the  Potsdam 205 

Lower  Silurian 232 

Devonian 246 

Waverly.  — 251 

Lower  Carboniferous 265 

Coal-Measures  and  Permo-Carboniferous 273 

Triassic 280 

Jurassic 284 

Part  IIL  Ornithology,  by  Egbert  Eidgway 303 

Table  of  contents 305 

Letter  op  transmission 307 

Description  of  the  route 309 

Physical  features  of  the  Great  Basin 313 

Local  Avifauna  , 316 

Description  of  camps 328 

General  remarks  on  the  Basin  Avifaunje 377 

Catalogue  of  species 386 

Biographical  section 391 

Index  to  Part  I 645 

Index  to  Part  II 649 

Index  to  Part  III  652 

VII-VIII 


LIST    OF    PLATES. 


The  plates  accompanying  this  volume  were  engraved  and  printed  by  Julius 
BiEN,  of  New  York.  The  original  drawings  for  Part  I  were  executed  by  JJ.  W, 
Elliott,  of  Washington ;  those  of  Part  II,  by  H.  M.  Martin,  of  Albany. 

FA.TIT    I. 

Plate  I Silue'ian  and  Devonian  species. 

II. .".-...  Devonian  species. 

Ill Devonian  and  Carboniferous  (?)  species. 

IV Carboniferous  species. 

y Carboniferous  species. 

VI Carboniferous  species. 

VII Carboniferous  species. 

VIII Carboniferous  species. 

IX Carboniferous  species. 

X Triassic  species. 

XI Triassic  species. 

XII Jurassic  and  Carboniferous  species. 

XIII 4 Cretaceous  species. 

XIV Cretaceous  species. 

XV Cretaceous  species. 

XVI Cretaceous  and  Tertiary  species. 

XVII Cretaceous  and  Tertiary  species. 

I Primordial  and  Silurian  species. 

II Primordial  and  Silurian  species* 

III Devonian  species. 

IV Waverly  species. 

V Lower  Carboniferous  species. 

VI Upper  Carboniferous  and  Triassic. 

VII , Jurassic  species. 


IX-X 


Office  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Exploration 

OF  THE  Fortieth  Parallel, 

New  York,  April,  1877. 

General:  Herewith  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  Volume  IV  of  the 
Reports  of  this  Exploration,  composed  of  Memoirs  on  Palaeontology,  by 
Messrs.  F.  B.  Meek,  James  Hall  and  R.  P.  Whitfield;  also  on  Ornithology, 
by  Robert  Ridgway. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CLARENCE  KING, 

Geologist-in-charffe. 

Brig.  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys, 

Chief  of  Engineers  U.  8,  Army, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


XI-XII 


UNITED  STATES  GEOLOGICAL  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  FORTIETH  PARALLEL. 

CLARENCE  KING,  Geologist-in-chakge. 


PART  I. 


PALEONTOLOGY. 


BY 


p.    B.    MEEK. 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 


This  being  a  strictly  palseontological  report,  any  extended  remarks  on 
the  geological  formations  from  which  the  fossils  described  were  obtained 
are  not  expected,  and  would  be  out  of  place  here.  A  few  words,  however, 
respecting  some  points  on  which  the  specimens  investigated  throw  more  or 
less  light,  seem  to  be  necessary  to  a  clear  understanding  of  the  palaeontology 
itself. 

Before  proceeding  further,  however,  it  is  proper  to  state  here,  that,  in 
order  to  give  as  full  and  complete  an  account  of  the  palaeontology  as  possible 
of  the  district  explored,  some  collections  brought  from  the  same  region  more 
than  ten  years  since,  by  Col.  J.  H.  Simpson,  of  the  United  States  Topograph- 
ical Engineers,  while  conducting  a  Government  expedition  through  the  same 
country,  have  also  been  included.  In  1860,  the  writer  published,  in  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Philadelphia  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  brief  preliminary 
descriptions  of  the  new  species  of  fossils  contained  in  Colonel  Simpson^s 
collection,  iind  soon  after  prepared,  for  that  gentleman's  report,  more 
extended  descriptions  and  figures  of  the  same.  Unfortunately,  however, 
Congress  failed  to  make  the  necessary  appropriation  to  publish  Colonel 
Simpson's  report.  Consequently,  the  large  amount  of  important  information 
contained  in  the  same  remains  unpublished;  and,  as  it  is  now  extremely 
improbable  that  his  report  will  ever  be  printed,*  at  any  rate  with  the 
accompanying  illustrations,  it  has  been  thought  desirable  that  we  should  give 
here  descriptions  and  figures  of  the  new  fossils  of  his  collection,  now  in  the 

♦Since  this  was  written  and  revised.  Colonel  Simpson's  report  has  been  pub- 
lished. 

3 


4  PALEONTOLOGY. 

museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  In  doing  this,  however,  he  has 
been  duly  credited  as  the  discoverer  of  each  species,  and  the  original  types 
have  generally  been  figured,  even  where  specimens  of  the  same  forms  are 
contained  in  Mr.  King's  collections ;  though  figures  of  the  latter  have  also 
been  given,  where  better  specimens  than  those  first  found  have  been  obtained. 

The  fossils  here  reported  on,  evidently  came  from  the  following  geolog- 
ical formations,  viz.,  Lower  Silurian*  Devonian,  Carboniferous,  Triassic, 
Jurassic,  Cretaceous,  and  Tertiary.  The  small  number  of  Lower  Silurian 
forms  are  represented  on  the  upper  part  of  plate  1.  Two  of  the  Trilobites, 
from  Antelope  Springs,  House  Mountains,  belong,  one  to  the  genus  Cono- 
coryphe,  and  the  other  to  the  genus  Paradoxides^  or  some  allied  group.  They 
are  decidedly  Primordial  types,  and  show  that  rocks  belonging  to  this  ancient 
period  occur  at  that  locality.* 

The  other  Silurian  forms  merely  consist  of  small  univalve  shells  that 
came  from  a  gray,  granular  limestone  on  the  summit  of  tjte  Peak,  Wa- 
satch Range,  Utah.  One  of  these  is  a  small  Ophileta^  scarcely  distinguisha- 
ble from  0.  complanata  of  Vanuxera,  first  described  from  the  Calciferous  sand- 
rock  of  New  York.  The  other  two  are  lenticular,  or  much  depressed  forms, 
with  an  angular  periphery  and  a  large  umbilicus,  and  evidently  belong  to 
the  same  formation,  being  nearly  allied  to  forms  found  in  beds  of  the  age  of 
the  Calciferous  period,  in  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  and  Texas.  From  the 
affinities  of  these  fossils,  we  can  therefore  scarcely  entertain  any  doubts  that 
the  rock  from  which  they  were  obtained  belongs  to  the  Calciferous  epoch. 

The  Devonian  forms  in  these  collections  are  more  numerous  than  the 
Silurian.  They  are  illustrated  on  the  lower  part  of  plate  1,  and  on  plate  2, 
and  the  upper  part  of  plate  3.  Those  on  plate  1,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  ProetuSj  to  be  mentioned  further  on,  came  from  a  light-colored  argil- 
laceous limestone  about  three  miles  south  of  Piiion  Pass,  Piiion  Range,  Ne- 
vada, and  consist  of  a  small  subglobose,  undetermined  species  of  Favosites, 
Atrypa  reticularis^  a  new  Spirifer,  a  bivalve  of  doubtful  genus,  and  fragments 
of  a  DaJmanites.  It  is  possible  that  the  last-mentioned  fossil  may  be  an 
Upper  Silurian  species,  as  Mr.  King  found  it  in  the  lowest  bed  exposed  at 
the  locality,  and  it  seems  to  be  quite  as  nearly  allied  (so  far  as  its  charac- 
•  Sec  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  Ap.  1870,  p.  56.  " 


INTRODUOTORY  REMARKS.  5 

ters  can  be  made  out  from  the  imperfect  specimens)  to  Upper  Silurian  as 
to  Devonian  types.  The  Spirifer,  however,  is  very  closely  allied  to  forms 
found  in  the  Upper  Helderberg  (Devonian)  limestones,  at  the  Falls  of  the 
Ohio;  while  the  specimens  of  Atrypa  reticularis  belong  to  a  variety  very 
common  in  rocks  of  that  age  in  the  vicinity  of  Louisville,  Kyw,  and  in  the 
neighboring  portions  of  Indiana.  It  is  also  worthy  of  note,  that  these  fossils 
were  found  quite  abundant,  weathered  out  of  the  matrix,  and  that  they  are 
silicified  and  in  all  respects  similar,  in  their  state  of  preservation,  to  the 
Upper  Helderberg  fossils,  so  common  in  the  Western  States  mentioned 
above.  From  these  facts,  it  is  highly  probable  that  these  Pinon  Range  fos- 
sils came  from  a  rock  belonging  to  about  that  horizon. 

The  other  Devonian  fossils,  figured  on  plates  2  and  3,  came  from  an 
entirely  distinct  rock  from  those  mentioned  above,  and  are  more  than  usually 
interesting,  because  they  were  found,  with  a  few  exceptions,  in  the  formation 
containing  the  rich  silver-mines  of  the  White  Pine  Mining  District,  Nevada. 
They  were  all  found  in  a  dark-colored  or  grayish  matrix,  entirely  different 
from  that  containing  the  Pinon  Station  fossils  mentioned  above.  Those  from 
the  White  Pine  District  consist  of  several  species  of  Corals,  Brachiopods,  and 
two  species  of  Orthoceras.  Among  the  Corals,  there  are  species  that  seem  to 
be  undistinguishable  from  the  European  Devonian  forms  Acervularia  penta- 
gona  and  Smithia  Hennahii  The  other  Corals  are  an  apparently  new  Alve- 
olites and  a  DipJiyphyllum*  The  Brachiopods  consist  of  a  small  Productus, 
at  least  allied  to  the  Devonian  species  P.  siibaculeatus,  Atrypa  reticularis ^  a 
small  Hemipronites^  apparently  undistinguishable  from  a  New  York  Hamil- 
ton Group  species,  and  several  small  Spirifers,  some  of  which  resemble  Ham- 
ilton Group  forms. 

The  presence  of  the  genera  Productus  and  Smithia  would  alone  be  a 
strong  argument,  in  the  present  state  of  palaeontological  science,  against  the 
supposition  that  these  silver-bearing  beds  might  belong  to  the  Silurian,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  specific  affinities  of  these  and  the  associated  fossils;  while 
the  occurrence  in  the  same  beds  of  Atrypa  reticularis^  and  the  Acervularia^ 
Smithia^  and  Ptycliophylluniy  with  the  specific  affinities  of  the  other  fossils, 

*  The  little  Favosites  and  Gyathophyllum^  represented  by  figures  2  and  3  of  plato 
2,  are  from  a  different  horizon  in  Arizona. 


6  PALEONTOLOGY. 

furnish  even  a  stronger  argument  against  the  conclusion  that  this  formation 
might  belong  to  the  Carboniferous.  Hence  we  cannot  doubt  that  these  beds 
belong  to  the  Devonian,  and  probably  to  about  the  horizon  of  the  Hamilton 
Group  of  the  New  York  series*  Indeed,  in  1860,  on  nearly  the  same  evi- 
dence, this  formation,  at  localities  a  little  farther  north,  was  referred  by  the 
writer  to  the  Devonian,  from  the  examination  of  specimens  brought  from 
there  by  Colonel  Simpson;  though  at  that  time  this  rock  was  not  known  to 
contain  silver-mines,  f 

The  little  Proetm,  illustrated  by  fig.  10  on  plate  1,  probably  also  came 
from  near  the  same  horizon  as  the  Devonian  fossils  mentioned  above,  as  it 
is  contained  in  a  similar  matrix  quite  unlike  that  containing  the  Pifion  Range 
fossils. 

On  the  lower  part  of  plate  3,  a  few  fossils  are  figured  together  in  a  sepa- 
rate division,  because  they  are  of  a  somewhat  doubtful  nature.  They  are 
also  from  the  White  Pine  District,  and  came  from  beds  known  to  hold  a 
position  between  well-marked  Carboniferous  and  Devonian  rocks.  All  of 
them,  excepting  the  Spirifer^  came  from  a  black  bituminous  shale,  asso- 
ciated with  some  more  or  less  arenaceous  beds,  beneath  well-marked  Car- 
boniferous limestones.  The  Aviculopecten  (fig.  10)  is  very  closely  allied  to 
some  western  Carboniferous  forms;  and  the  little  shell  represented  by  fig.  8 
also  resembles  Carboniferous  species  believed  to  be  at  least  nearly  related 
to  Posidonomya.  The  Brachiopod  represented  by  fig.  9,  however,  is  remark- 
ably like  Devonian  species  of  Leiorhynchus,  and  hence  would  favor  the 
opinion  that  this  shale  is  Devonian.  The  Spirifer  represented  by  fig.  11 
seems  to  belong  to  the  common  and  w^idely-distributed  Carboniferous  species 
S.  cmpidatus^  and  came  from  a  gray,  subcrystalline,  cherty  limestone,  above 
th6  above-mentioned  black  slate,  and  was  associated  with  some  largd  Crinoid 
columns,  casts  of  an  OrthiSj  like  0/resupinata  or  0.  Micheliniy  and  imperfect 
specimens  of  a  smaller  Spirifer^  apparently  like  the  Devonian  species  8. 

♦  These  remarks  on  the  Devonian  age  of  the  White  Pine  silver-bearing  rocks 
were  quoted  by  Mr.  Arnold  Hague,  in  the  Mining  Eeport  of  Mr.  King's  Survey,  41G, 
(issued  in  1870.)  It  is  to  be  regretted,  however,  that,  owing  to  the  fact  that  Mr.  Hague 
did  not  see  the  proof,  several  annoying  typographical  errors,  in  the  names  of  the 
fossils  mentioned,  were  not  corrected.— F.  B.  M.,  Sept.  29, 1874. 

f  See  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1860,  XII. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS.  7 

gregarius.  The  evidence  to  be  drawn  from  these  few  fossils  would  therefore 
seem  to  be  somewhat  conflicting  in  regard  to  the  exact  age  of  these  black 
shales  and  cherty  limestones;  but  the  first  more  probably  belongs. to  the 
Devonian  and  the  latter  to  the  Carboniferous. 

Of  all  the  collections  that  have  yet  been  brought  from  this  region,  the 
decidedly  Carboniferous  types  are  far  more  numerous  than  those  from 
any  of  the  other  formations.  This  will  be  more  readily  understood  when  it 
is  remembered  that  we  have  illustrated  on  the  accompanying  seventeen 
plates,  all  of  the  known  species  of  every  age  of  which  there  are  specimens 
accessible,  while  the  Carboniferous  forms  alone  occupy  plates  4,  5,  6,  7,  8, 
and  9,  with  the  exception  of  one  Goniatite,  of  apparently  the  same  age,  from 
New  Mexico,  These  fossils  consist  almost  exclusively  of  Corals  and  Brachio- 
pods,  and  seem  to  have  been  obtained  from  two  distinct  rocks;  that  is,  the 
Corals,  with  a  few  exceptions,  together  with  an  Orthis^  a  HemiproniteSy*  and 
Productus  semistriatuSj  figured  on  plate  7,  as  well  as  a  distorted  specimen  of 
Prodmtus  punctatm^  and  others  of  Fusulina,  not  in  a  condition  to  be  figured, 
came  from  a  dark-gray  and  deep  bluish-gray  limestone,  while  the  other 
specimens  came  from  a  light  yellowish-gi-ay  limestone.  So  far  as  has  yet 
been  ascertained  from  all  of  the  explorers  of  Utah  and  Nevada,  these  two 
rocks  have  nowhere  been  observed  to  occur  together  at  the  same  localities. 
That  they  belong  to  different  horizons  in  the  Carboniferous  series  of  this 
region,  however,  seems  to  be  evident,  not  only  from  their  different  lithologi- 
cal  characters,  but  also  from  the  fact  that  they  contain  mainly  distinct 
groups  of  fossils.  The  specimens  from  the  dark-colored  beds  came  from 
Pinon  and  Diamond  Mountains,  Nevada,  Long's  and  Boxelder  Peaks, 
Strong's  Knob,  etc.,  Utah;  while  those  from  the  light-colored  beds  are 
marked,  north  of  Moleen  Peak,  Egan  and  Mahogany  Ranges,  Ruby  Group, 
south  of  Railroad  Cafion,  White  Pine  Mountains,  and  various  localities  in 
the  White  Pine  District 

From  the  fact  that  almost  none  of  the  peculiarly  characteristic  Coal- 
Measure  species  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  have  been  identified  among  the 
species  from  the  dark-colored  limestones  mentioned  above,  while  there  are, 

*  Imperfect  specimeus  of  this  species  were  also  brought  from  the  light-colored 
beds  at  Fossil  Hill,  White  Pine. 


8  PALAEONTOLOGY, 

among  the  specimens  from  that  rock,  fragments  of  an  Archimedes^  together 
with  imperfect  specimens  of  Spiriferina  spinosa^*  (both  Lower  Carboniferous 
types),  it  is  very  probable  that  this  rock  belongs  to  the  Lower  Carboniferous 
series.  This  view  also  receives  some  support  from  the  presence,  in  these 
dark  beds,  of  a  species  of  LitJiostrotion^  a  genus  very  abundantly  represented 
by  one  or  two  species  in  the  Lower  Carboniferous,  but  unknown  in  the  Coal- 
Measures  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

When  we  turn  our  attention  to  the  fossils  from  the  hght-yello wish  Car- 
boniferous limestones  of  Nevada,  however,  at  the  localities  mentioned,  we 
find  among  them  forms  undistinguishable  from  Athyris  stcbtilitaj  SjpiHfer 
cameratus,  Productus  Prattenianus,  and  Spiriferina  Eentuckemisf  none  of 
which  are  certainly  known  from  any  horizon  below  the  Coal-Measures  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley.  Hence  it  is  more  probable  that  these  lighter-colored 
Carboniferouslimestones  belong  to  the  horizon  of  the  Coal-Measures;  though 
I  believe  no  beds  of  coal  have  yet  been  found  associated  with  them. 

Perhaps  of  all  the  collections  of  fossils  that  have  yet  come  to  us  from  the 
Far  West,  there  are  none  more  interesting  than  those  from  the  Upper  Trias  of 
West  Humboldt  Eange.  The  speciniens  from  this  formation  in  the  collec- 
tions under  consideration  are  illustrated  on  plates  10  and  11,  and  will  be 
seen  to  consist  of  a  few  bivalves  and  some  ten  or  twelve  species  of  Cephalo- 
poda. The  occurrence  of  this  formation  in  that  region  was  first  made  known 
by  Prof  J.  D.  Whitney  and  Mi\  Gabb,  of  the  California  Geological  Survey, 
in  the  reports  of  which  several  of  the  species  here  figured  were  illustrated 
and  described  along  with  others. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  there  should  be  at  these  distant  western  locali- 
ties an  immense  series  of  deposits,  containing  so  exact  a  representation  of 
the  very  peculiar  fauna  of  the  Upper  Trias  of  Europe,  as  exhibited  in  th(j 
St.  Cassian,  Aussee,  and  Hallstadt  deposits.  For  instance,  there  are,  among 
the  collections  that  have  been  by  different  parties  found  in  these  beds,  the 
following  peculiar  genera,  especially  characteristic  of  the  rocks  of  this  age 
in  Europe,  viz.,  Halohia^  Monotis^  Cassianella^\  Trachyceras,  Archestes,  Clido- 

*  The  speciineBS  of  these  species  in  the  collection,  althongh  recognizable,  are  not 
in  a  condition  to  be  figured. 

t  Mn  Gabb  has  described  a  species  of  this  genus  in  the  American  Journal  of 
Conchology  from  this  formation  in  Nevada. 


INTEODDCTORY  REMARKS.  9 

niteSj  etc.,  directly  associated  with  the  more  ancient  genus  Orthoeeras. 
There  have  also  been  found  in  these  beds  the  following  species,  closely  allied 
to,  or  possibly  in  some  cases  identical  with,  Halobia  Lommelei,  Monotis  8ali- 
nariiis,  Ceratites  Haidingerii,  Archestes  Ausseearms^  etc.  There  are  likewise 
known  from  this  formation  various  other  types  of  the  AmmonitidcBj  which, 
like  those  found  at  the  same  horizon  in  Europe,  are  not  true  Ammonites,  nor 
Ceratites,  nor  yet  Goniatites,  as  these  genera  have  been  restricted  by  late 
authors,  but  new  generic  types,  sometimes  intermediate  in  their  characters 
between  the  typical  forms  of  the  above-mentioned  genera. 

It  is  evident,  from  the  collections  that  have  been  ah^eady  obtained 
from  this  formation,  that  a  rich  harvest  of  new  and  interesting  fomis  awaits 
the  collector  who  can  visit  this  region  under  circumstances  favorable  to  its 
thorough  exploration. 

The  species  in  the  collection  believed  to  be  of  Jurassic  age  are- 
illustrated  on  plate  12.  The  specimens  of  Belemnites  came  from  the  West 
Humboldt  Range,  Nevada ;  while  all  of  the  others  were  collected  four  or 
live  hundred  miles  further  eastward,  at  Weber  Canon,  Wasatch  Range, 
Utah,  from  apparently  about  the  same  horizon.  It  is  barely  possible  that 
a  few  of  the  West  Humboldt  species  that  have  been  supposed  to  be  of 
Triassic  age  may  belong  more  properly  to  the  Jurassic  (Lias),  as  there 
seems  to  be  a  great  development  of  these  rocks  there,  without  a  strongly- 
marked  division,  so  far  as  lithological  characters  are  concerned,  if  we  can 
judge  by  the  matrix  of  the  specimens.  At  any  rate,  the  specimens  of 
Belemnites  from  there  are  contained  in  an  apparently  undistinguishablo 
matrix  from  that  of  the  Orthoeeras  and  other  Triassic  fonns;  while  Mr. 
Gabb  has  described  from  that  region  an  Ammonite  (specimens  of  which  I 
have  seen  in  a  similar  matrix)  that  seems  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the 
European  low  Liassic  species  A,  bisulcatus. 

The  species  figured  on  the  lower  half  of  plate  12,  from  Weber  Canon, 

have  been  placed  together  in  a  separate  division,  because  some  doubts  at 

one  time  existed  in  regard  to  the  stratigraphical  position  of  the  bed  from 

which  they  were  obtained.  ^ 

♦  Since  this  was  written  and  the  plates  arranged,  Mr.  King  informs  me  that  he 
has  found  this  rock  to  be,  as  I  had  from  the  first  believed,  of  Carboniferous  age.— F. 
B.  M.,  i^ov.  29,  1874. 


10  PALEONTOLOGY. 

The  Cretaceous  fossils  of  the  collection,  as  will  be  seen  by  plates  13, 
14,  and  15,  are  all  merely  casts  of  bivalves,  excepting  two  species  of  Gas- 
teropoda. Exclusive  of  the  two  species  of  large  tnoceramus,  represented 
by  fig.  3  of  plate  13,  and  fig.  4  of  plate  14,  which  came  from  a  different 
horizon  near  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  they  are  all  from  a 
light-yellowish  sandstone,  containing  beds  and  seams  of  brown  coal,  at 
various  localities  in  the  region  of  Coalville  and**  Bear  River,  Utah.  The 
specimens  yet  obtained  are  in  a  bad  state  of  preservation ;  but,  as  far  as 
can  be  determined,  they  appear  to  be  very  nearly  if  not  quite  all  distinct 
from  the  Cretaceous  species  yet  known  from  the  Upper  Missouri  country. 

Taken  collectively,  this  group  of  fossils  presents  much  the  general 
facies  of  the  fauna  of  the  series  in  California,  referred  by  Professor  Whit- 
ney to  the  upper  part  of  the  Cretaceous  of  that  State,  under  the  name 
-Tejon  Group.  Yet,  after  careful  comparisons  with  the  figures  and  descrip- 
tions in  the  California  reports,  I  am  not  fully  satisfied  that  any  of  the 
species  are  positively  the  same ;  though  in  some  instances  they  may  at  least 
safely  be  regarded  as  closely-allied  representative  forms.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  the  two  or  three  species  of  Inoceramm,  the  genus  Gyrodes^  and  per- 
haps Anchura,  they  present,  so  far  as  their  characters  can  be  made  out  from 
the  specimens  yet  brought  in,  just  such  a  group  of  forms  as  might  be,  with 
almost  equal  propriety,  referred  either  to  the  Cretaceous  or  to  the  Tertiary.* 
The  presence  of  the  genera  mentioned,  however,  would,  in  the  present  state 
of  palsBontological  science,  exclude  them  from  the  Tertiary  and  place  them 
in  the  Cretaceous.  The  fact,  too,  that  they  are  all  marine  types,  while  all 
of  those  yet  collected  in  this  great  internal  region  of  the  continent,  from 
well-defined  Tertiary  beds,  are  terrestrial,  or  fresh-  and  brackish-water 
types,  would  confirm  the  other  evidence  that  these  light-colored  coal- 
bearing  sandstones  of  the  region  of  Coalville  and  Bear  River  really  belong 
to  the  Cretaceous.  Indeed,  I  arrived  at  this  conclusion  in  1860,  while 
investigating  Colonel  Simpson's  collections  from  this  formation.f  The  fact, 
however,  that  all  the  collections  yet  brought  in  from  this  formation  contain 

♦  Since  ibis  was  written,  Dr.  Hayden's  party  have  also  brought  in,  from  these 
Coalville  beds,  other  decidedly  Cretaceous  types  of  fossils. 
t  See  Proceed,  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philud.,  Ap.  1860,  p.  126. 


INTRODOCTOKY  REMARKS.  1 1 

no  Ammonites,  Scaphites,  BaculiteSj  Hamites,  Turrilites,  HelicoceraSy  or  any 
of  the  numerous  other  types  generally  believed  to  have  died  out  at  the 
close  of  the  Cretaceous  period  (excepting  the  very  few  forms  already 
.  mentioned),  would  appear  to  indicate  that  this  formation  was  deposited  at 
near  the  close  of  the  physical  conditions  most  favorable  to  the  existence  of 
t3^pes  of  life  peculiar  to  the  Ci*etaceous  epoch;  and  hence  that  it  belongs  to 
some  of  the  latest,  if  not  to  the  latest,  deposits  of  that  period.* 

The  fossils  from  the  Bear  River  fresh-  or  brackish-water  strata,  and 
those  from  later  and  undoubted  Tertiary  beds,  have  been  illustrated 
together  on  plates  16  and  17.  The  species  from  these  different  horizons 
might  more  appropriately  have  been  separated  on  distinct  plates ;  but  this 
could  not  well  be  done  without  arranging  the  figures  on  three  plates;  while 
there  are  not  quite  enough  of  them  to  be  so  distributed.  Those  from  the 
oldest  upheaved  brackish- water  beds  associated  with  the  light-colored 
marine  Cretaceous  sandstone  already  mentioned,  at  the  Bear  River  locality, 
are  Unio  priscus,  U.  helliplicatuSy  and  Corbicula  Durkeei  of  plate  16;  and  Cor- 
hula  Engelmannij  C.  pyriformis,  Limnma  nitida,  Bhytiphoms  priscus,  Campe- 
loma  (Melantho)  occidentalisf,  C.  macrospira,  Viviparus  Conradi,  and  Pyrgu- 
lifera  humerosa  of  plate  1 7. 

This  formation  seems,  at  Bear  River,  to  be  associated  with  the  Creta- 
ceous sandstone  of  that  region  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  the  impression 
that  it  probably  immediately  succeeded  the  latter  in  point  of  time.  It  is 
evident,  however,  from  the  striking  contrast  in  the  fossils  characterizing  the- 
two  formations,  that  marked  physical  changes  had  taken  place  here  between 
the  deposition  of  the  last  of  the  undoubted  Cretaceous  sandstones  and  the 
commencement  of  what  appears  to  be  the  oldest  Tertiary,  since  nearly  or 
quite  all  the  fossils  found  in  the  former  are  marine  types,  while  those  of  the 
latter  are  fresh-  and  brackish- water,  or,  in  some  few  instances,  perhaps  teiTes- 
trial  forms.  This  strongly-marked  change  in  the  fossils  in  passing  from 
the  Cretaceous  sandstone  below  into  the  fresh-  and  brackish-water  beds 
apparently  above,  and  the  close  affinities  of  most  of  the  species  in  the  latter 

♦  Later  persoual  exaiuiDattons  ot  these  beds  at  Coalville,  aud  the  equivalent 
marine  Cretaceous  strata  at  Bear  River,  as  stated  in  Dr.  Hayden's  Report  of  1872, 
have  satisfied  me  that  this  formation,  at  the  former  locality,  represents  probably  nearly 
the  whole  of  the  Upper  Missouri  Cretaceous  series. — P.  B.  M.,  Nov.,  1874. 


12  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

either  to  foreign  Lower  Tertiary  species  or  to  living  forms,  are  the  grounds 
upon  which  Dr.  Engelmann  and  the  writer,  in  1860,  referred  these  estuary- 
beds  to  the  Lower  Tertiary. 

One  of  the  species  found  in  the  Cretaceous  sandstones  at  Coalville, 
Utah,  certainly  agrees  very  closely  with  Corbida  pyriformis  from  the  later 
estuary  beds  at  Bear  River,  as  may  be  seen  by  comparing  fig,  2,  plate  14, 
with  fig.  2  a,  plate  17.  As  the  specimen  from  the  sandstone,  however,  is  a 
mere  cast,  it  is  not  possible  to  make  a  very  satisfactory  comparison.  It  is 
also  worthy  of  note  here  that  there  certainly  is  a  species  in  the  latest  Cre- 
taceous beds  of  California  {Corhula  alceformis  of  Gabb)  that  agrees  very 
nearly  with  our  C.  pyriformis  from  the  Bear  River  estuary  beds.  Indeed,  I 
find  very  little  in  the  figure  or  description  of  the  California  species  to  distin- 
guish it  from  some  specimens  of  C,  pyriformis  var.  concentrica.  Most  of  the 
specimens  of  C.  pyriformis  are  more  coarsely  and  more  irregularly  ribbed 
and  furrowed  than  is  shown  in  Mr.  GabVs  figure;  but  the  specimens  vary 
much  in  this  character,  some  of  them  being  nearly  smooth,  as  in  fig.  2  a, 
plate  17,  while  others  are  regularly  ribbed,  as  in  fig.  2,  or  irregularly  so,  as 
in  fig.  2  a^  and  there  are  all  conceivable  intermediate  gradations.  As  Mr. 
Gabb,  however,  only  figures  one  specimen,  it  is  not  possible  to  make  an 
entirely  satisfactory  comparison;  though  his  species  is  most  probably  dis- 
tinct from  ours. 

This  similarity  of  a  few  of  the  forms  in  the  upper  coal-bearing  Creta- 
ceous beds  in  Utah,  Wyoming,  and  California,  with  species  in  the  estuary- 
beds  in  the  Bear  River  country,  and  the  general  conform  ability  of 
these  formations,  together  with  their  association  at  the  same  localities, 
and  the  non-conformability  of  the  estuary-beds  with  the  later  Tertiary, 
might  suggest  the  inquiry,  whether  we  ought  not  to  carry  up  the  line  between 
the  Tertiary  and  Cretaceous  here,  so  as  to  include  the  estuary-deposits  in 
the  latter. 

This  suggestion  would  certainly  appear  to  receive  some  support,  froni 
the  fiict  that  some  of  the  vertebrate  fossils  collected  by  Dr.  Hay  den,  appar- 
ently from  equivalent  estuary -beds  at  the  mouth  of  Judith  River,  on  the 
Upper  Missouri,  were  regarded  by  Dr.  Leidy  as  belonging  to  Cretaceous 
types.     Supposing  that  the  change  from  marine  to  fresh-  and  brackish- water 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS.  13 

conditions  in  this  region  had  taken  place  a  little  before,  instead  of  exactly  at, 
the  close  of  the  Cretaceous  period,  this  change  alone  would  be  amply  suffi- 
cient to  account  for  the  destruction  of  the  marine  Cretaceous  forms.  Still, 
this  would  not  account  for  the  paucity  of  strictly  Cretaceous  types  here 
through  a  considerable  thickness  of  marine  sandstones  below,  nor  for  the 
striking  Tertiary  and  more  modern  affinities  of  several  of  the  forms  ih  the 
estuary-beds  above.* 

While  willing  to  admit  that  facts  may  yet  be  discovered  showing  that 
some  of  the  brackish-water  beds  so  widely  distributed  in  this  internal  region 
of  the  continent  belong  more  properly  to  the  Cretaceous  than  to  the  Ter- 
tiary, I  still  think,  from  all  the  light  we  now  have  on  the  subject,  that  the 
Bear. and  Judith  River  fresh-  and  brackish- water  deposits  represent  the  oldest 
Eocene  Lignites  of  the  Paris  basin.  At  least,  if  they  are  Cretaceous,  there 
is  little  or  nothing  in  the  moUuscan  remains  yet  obtained  from  them  to  sup- 
port such  a  conclusion,  f 

The  probability  is,  as  I  have  elsewhere  remarked,  that,  as  the  continent 
was  rising,  toward  the  close  of  the  Cretaceous  epoch,  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
in  part  at  least,  existed  as  islands  in  the  Cretaceous  Sea.  Still  later,  as  the 
process  of  elevation  continued,  considerable  areas  that  had  been  occupied 
by  the  sea  became  at  first  partly  isolated,  so  as  to  form  bodies  of  brackish 
water,  that  gradually  became  fresh-water  lakes,  as  further  elevation  com- 
pletely isolated  them  from  the  influx  of  the  sea.  In  the  deposits  formed  in 
these  waters,  we  might  naturally  expect  to  find,  at  the  base,  brackish-water 
types,  and,  further  up,  wholly  fresh- water  forms,  just  as  is  the  case  in  the 
beds  referred  to  the  Tertiary  in  that  region. 

Whether  this  change  from  marine  to  fresh- water  conditions  was  exactly 
contemporaneous  with  the  close  of  the  Cretaceous,  and  the  introduction  of 
the  Tertiary  epochs  elsewhere,  perhaps  we  shall  never  know;  but  that  it 

*  For  iustance,  compare  Corhiciila  BurJceei  (fig.  6  a-g,  plate  16)  with  (7.  antiquaj 
Ferrussac,  and  G.  Forbesii,  Deshayes,  from  the  Lower  Lignites  of  the  Paris  basin,  as 
well 'ds  Fyrguli/era  humerosa  (digs.  19  and  19  a,  platQ  17)  with  the  so  CdWeA  Melania 
armata  of  Matheron,  from  the  same  horizon  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rhone. 

t  These  remarks  were  written  in  1870;  since  that  time,  however,  additional  facts 
have  come  to  light,  as  already  suggested,  rather  favoring  the  conclusion  that  these 
Bear  River  estuary- beds  may  belong  to  the  latest  Cretaceous. — F.  B.  M.,  Nov.,  1874. 


14  PAD^ONTOLOGY. 

corresponded  in  the  sequence  of  geological  changes  here  to  that  event 
seems  probable. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Bridger,  Tertiary*  deposits  exist,  apparently  of 
later  date  than  the  Bear  River  beds  that  have  furnished  the  fossils  men- 
tioned above.  So  far  as  yet  known,  these  Fort  Bridger  beds  contain  only 
fresh-water  and  perhaps  terrestrial  fossils.  From  this  formation,  the  fol- 
lowing species,  figured  on  plate  17,  were  collected,  mainly  by  Colonel  Simp- 
son's party,  viz.,  lAmncea  similiSy  L.  vettcsta,  Goniobasis  Simpsoniy  Planorbis 
spedabilis,  and  P.  spectabiUsy  var.  Utahensis;  also  Unto  Haydeni^  figured  on 
plate  1 6.  So  far  as  known,  all  the  species  from  this  formation  are  distinct 
from  those  found  in  the  Bear  River  deposits;  and  only  one  species,  Planorbis 
spectabilis,  is  very  nearly  related  to  any  species  found  on  the  upper  branches 
of  the  Missouri. 

A  few  fossils  in  the  collection,  from  the  region  of  Fossil  Hill,  Kawsoh 
Mountains,  Nevada,  show  that  there  is  there  an  exceedingly  interesting 
Tertiary  formation.  These  fossils  are  in  a  beautiful  state  of  preservation, 
and  contained  in  a  white,  soft  limestone,  or  indurated  marl.  Not  a  single 
one  of  the  species  yet  known  from  this  formation  is  identical  with  any  of 
those  hitherto  discovered  in  any  of  the  other  Far- Western  Tertiary  deposits.* 
They  are  all  fresh-water  forms,  and  consist  of  the  following  species,  viz., 
SphcBrium  Idahoense  and  S,  rugosum,  figured  on  plate  16,  and  Carinifex 
Tryonij  C.  JBinneyij  Goniobasis  sculptilis,  G.  subsculptilis,  and  Ancylus  undu- 
latusy  figured  on  plate  17.  The  species  all  being  new,  and  the  rock  not 
having  been  seen  connected  with  any  of  the  other  Tertiary  formations  of 
that  region,  we  have  no  means  of  determining  its  exact  position  in  the 
Tertiary  series ;  though  it  is  probably  more  recent  than  either  of  the  other 
formations  from  which  fossils  are  figured  and  described  in  this  report.  It 
will  probably  yield  a  large  number  of  new  and  interesting  fossils  to  who- 
ever may  be  able  to  explore  it  thoroughly. 

As  it  has  been  thought  desirable  to  give  as  full  and  complete  an 

♦  At  the  time  of  writiDg  the  above,  I  had  overlooked  the  possible  identity  of  the 
species  I  have  described  under  the  name  Ooniohasis  sculptllia  with  Melania  Taylori^ 
Gabb,  described  in  vol.  II,  p.  13,  Pateont.  California,  from  apparently  the  same  forma- 
tion in  Idaho.— F.  B.  M.,  Nov.,  1874. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS.  15 

account  as  possible  of  the  palaeontology  of  the  country  explored,  in  a 
number  of  instances  species  have  been  figured  and  described  even  where 
the  specimens  are  not  in  a  condition  to  give  any  clew  to  their  generic 
characters.  This  has  been  done,  because,  notwithstanding  the  imperfection 
of  the  specimens,  they  can  readily  be  identified  as  characteristic  forms  of 
the  several  respective  rocks.  Hence,  as  future  explorers,  under  more 
favorable  circumstances,  obtain  more  extensive  collections,  it  will  certainly 
be  found  necessary  in  perhaps  not  a  few  instances,  to  modify  the  nomen- 
clature here  provisionally  adopted.  In  all  these  doubtful  cases,  however, 
the  doubts  in  regard  to  their  generic  or  specific  affinities  have  been  fully 
indicated,  either  by  the  use  of  a  query-mark  or  in  words.  In  some 
other  cases,  fossils  have  been  figured,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  described, 
where  the  species  could  not  be  certainly  identified  with  known  forms, 
nor  yet  satisfactorily  determined  to  be  new.  In  such  instances,  they 
are  merely  given  as  undetermined  forms,  without  having  any  specific  name 
appended. 

In  closing  these  remarks,  I  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging  my  obliga- 
tions to  Professor  Henry  for  the  use  of  rooms,  books,  and  specimens,  as 
well  as  for  other  facilities  at  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  while  preparing 
this  report. 

Smithsonian  Institution, 

Washington  Citi/y  D.  C,  August  2,  1870. 


xDEsoi^ii^Tioisrs  o:f  ipossils. 


SILURIAN   SPECIES. 

MOLLUSCA. 

GASTEROPODA^ 

SOLARIIDJE- 
?  Genus  OPHILETA,  Vanuxem. 
Ophileta  complanata,  var.  nana. 

Plate  1,  figs.  1,  la,  1&. 

OpUleta  complanata,  VaDuxem  (1842),  Eeport  Third  Geol.  Dist.  N.  Y.,  36,  fig.  2.— 
Hall  (1847),  Palseont.  N.  Y.,  I,  pi.  ii,  fig.  2,  and  pi.  iii,  fig.  6. 

Ophileta  complanata  var.  nana^  Meek  (1870),  Hayden's  Prelim.  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Geol. 
Survey  of  the  Territories,  295. 

Shell  compressed-planorbicular,  both  sides  slightly  concave ;  volutions 
about  six,  very  narrow,  and  increasing  very  gradually  in  size,  flattened  and 
slightly  oblique  on  the  outer  side,  and  presenting  a  quadrangular  transverse 
section,  with  upper  and  lower  surfaces  somewhat  converging  inward  from 
the  angle  on  each  side  of  the  periphery. 

Greatest  diameter,  0.30  inch;  'thickness  or  height,  0.06  inch;  diameter 
of  last  volution,  measuring  in  the  direction  of  the  plane  of  the  shell, 
0.05  inch. 

As  Vanuxem's  species  was  not  fully  described  or  well  figured,  it  is 
scarcely  possible  to  be  positively  sure  that  our  shell  might  not  be  only  a 
closely-allied  species,  without  direct  comparison  with  authentic  examples 

17 
2PR 


18  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

of  the  New  York  form.  Our  specimens  are  scarcely  one-half  as  large  as 
Vanuxem's  figure ;  but  we  are  not  sure  that  they  are  entire.  The  shell,  how- 
ever, certainly  agrees  very  closely  with  0.  complanata  in  proportions  and 
the  exceedingly  narrow  character  of  its  volutions.  Still,  as  it  seems  to 
have  nearly  the  same  number  of  whorls  in  less  than  half  the  diameter  of 
0.  complanata^  it  may  be  a  distinct  smaller  species.  If  so,  it  may  be  called 
0.  nana. 

Locality  and  position, — Ute  Peak,  south  of  Muddy  Creek,  a  tributary  of 
Bear  River,  Utah ;  from  a  gray,  granular  limestone  of  Lower  Silurian  age, 
and  probably  belonging  to  the  epoch  of  the  Calciferous  Group  of  the  New 
York  series. 

Genus  RAPHISTOMA,  Hall 

EAPHISTOMA  1  ROTULIFORMIS,  Meek. 
Plate  1,  figs.  2,  2  a,  2  &. 

Euomphalus  {Baplmtoma  f)  rotuliformis^  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  9ci.  Philad., 
61;  and  (1872)  Haydeu's  Ann.  Eep.  Geol.  Survey  of  the  Territories,  464. 

Shell  small,  sublenticular,  or  more  than  twice  and  a  half  as  wide  as 
high,  with  the  periphery  sharply  angular,  and  the  much-depressed  spire  a 
little  more  prominent  than  the  convexity  of  the  last  turn  below  the  angular 
periphery ;  umbilicus  very  wide,  deep,  and  depressed-conical ;  volutions 
six  or  seven,  exceedingly  narrow,  and  increasing  very  gradually  in  size,  all 
obliquely  flattened,  or  sometimes  slightly  concave  on  the  upper  slope, 
which  is  nearly  coincident  with  that  of  the  spire,  and  with  the  under  side 
sloping  downward  and  inward  (being  nearly  one-third  wider  than  the  upper 
surface)  to  the  umbilicus,  around  which  they  are  rather  distinctly  angular ; 
aperture  obliquely-rhombic.     Surface  unknown. 

Breadth,  0.32  inch;  height,  0.12  inch;  breadth  of  last  turn  on  the 
upper  slope,  0.15  inch;  on  the  under  slope,  0.18  inch ;  breadth  of  aperture, 
0.09  inch ;  height  of  aperture,  0.07  inch. 

This  species  is  evidently  nearly  allied  to  Euomphalus  polygyratuSj 
Roemer,  from  the  Lower  Silurian  rocks  of  San  Saba,  Texas  (see  Kreid. 
von  Texas,  tab.  xi,  figs.  4  a,  6).  It  differs,  however,  in  being  much  smaller, 
its  greatest  diameter  being  less  than  one-fourth  that  of  Roemer^B  species, 


SILURIAN  SPECIES.  19 

although  it  shows  nearly  the  same  number  of  volutions.  Its  volutions  are 
also  proportionally  more  convex  below,  and  slope  more  abruptly  into  the 
umbilicus. 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last. 

Kaphistoma!  trochiscus,  Meek. 

Plate  1,  figs.  '^J  3  a,  aud  3  5. 

Euomplialus  (RapMsfoma  f)  trochiscus.  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad., 
61 J  and  (1872)  in  Hayden's  Ann.  Eep,  Geol.  Survey  of  the  Territories,  4G4. 

Shell  sublenticular,  about  twice  and  a  half  as  wide  as  high;  spire  much 
depressed,  or  but  little  higher  (measuring  from  the  horizon  of  the  sharply 
angular  periphery)  than  the  convexity  of  the  last  turn  below  the  same;  um- 
bilicus wide,  deep,  and  depressed-conical;  volutions  four  and  a  half  to  five, 
increasing  gradually  in  size,  all  obliquely  flattened  (or  sometimes  slightly 
concave)  above,  nearly  on  a  line  with  the  slope  of  the  spire,  and  sloping 
downward  and  inward  below  to  the  umbilicus,  into  which  the  curve  is  so 
abrupt  as  to  form  an  obtuse  angle  around  its  margin ;  aperture  wider  than 
high,  and  rhombic-subtrigonal  in  outline.     Surface  unknown. 

Breadth,  0.40  inch  ;  height,  0.15  inch ;  breadth  of  last  turn,  0.12  inch; 
breadth  of  umbilicus,  about  0.25  inch. 

This  is  similar  in  general  appearance  to  the  last  species,  but  may  be 
readily  distinguished  by  its  less  numerous  whorls,  which  increase  more 
rapidly  in  size.  It  is  much  more  nearly  allied  to  a  form  now  before  me  in 
masses  of  chert,  from  the  west  side  of  Lake  Pepin,  in  Minnesota,  found  in 
beds  of  about  the  age  of  the  Calciferous  sand-rock  of  the  New  York  series. 
The  latter,  however,  attains  a  much  larger  size;  some  of  the  specimens 
being  an  inch  in  diameter,  with  about  six  volutions.  The  Minnesota  form 
is  also  more  sharply  angular  on  the  periphery,  and  has  the  upper  side  of  the 
volutions  distinctly  more  concave,  and  the  spire  more  depressed.* 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last. 

*  In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy  for  1870,  cited  above  (p.  62),  I 
have  proposed  the  name  E,  Pepinensis  for  this  Minnesota  species. 


20  PALEONTOLOGY. 

ARTICULATA. 

CRUSTACEA. 

PARADOXID^. 

Genus  CONOCORYPHE,  Corda. 
CoNOCORYPHE  (Ptychoparia)  Kingii,  Meek. 

Plate  1,  fig.  4. 

Conocoryphe  (Gonocephalites)  Kingii,  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  63. 
Conocoryphe  {Ptychoparia)  Kingii^  Meek  (1872),  Haydeu^s  Ann.  Report  U.  S.  Geol. 

Survey  of  the  Territories,  487.— White  (1876),  Palaeont.  of  Lieut.  Wheeler's 

Survey,  40,  pi.  ii,  figs.  2  ah^c. 

Entire  form  ovate  and  much  depressed,  with  breadth  equahng  about 
two-thirds  the  whole  length.  Ceplialic  shield  semicircular,  or  a  little  wider 
than  long,  with  the  anterior  and  antero-lateral  borders  regularly  rounded  in 
outline,  and  provided  with  a  narrow,  slightly-defined,  marginal  rim;  posterior 
margin  nearly  straight,  with  the  lateral  angles  terminating  in  abruptly-pointed 
extremities,  so  short  as  scarcely  to  project  as  far  backward  as  the  posterior 
margin  of  the  second  thoracic  segment.  Grlabella  depressed  nearly  even 
with  the  cheeks,  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  entire  head,  and  between 
one-third  and  one-fourth  the  breadth  of  the  same  behind,  but  narrowing  for- 
ward to  its  subtruncated  anterior  end,  and  separated  from  the  cheeks  on  each 
side  and  in  front  by  a  shallow  furrow ;  occipital  furrow  moderately  well 
defined,  and  continued  as  rather  deep  broad  furrows  along  the  posterior  mar- 
gins of  the  cheeks  out  nearly  to  the  points  where  the  facial  sutures  cut 
the  margin ;  lateral  furrows  not  clearly  defined  in  the  specimens,  but  appar- 
ently consisting  of  four  pairs.  Facial  sutures  directed  at  first,  for  a  short 
distance,  forward  from  the  inner  anterior  end  of  each  eye,  then  curving 
gracefully  outward  as  they  extend  forward,  until  near  the  anterior  margin 
of  the  head,  where  they  are  a  little  wider  apart  than  the  distance  between 
the  eyes,  but  again  curving  rathei*  abruptly  inward,  so  as  to  reach  the  ante- 
rior margin  nearly  on  a  line  with  each  eye;  posteriorly  these  sutures  extend 
at  first  outward  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  longitudinal  axis,  from  the  pos- 
terior end  of  each  eye,  and  then  curve  gracefully  backward,  so  as  to  intersect 


SILURIAN  SPECIES.  21 

the  posterior  margin  between  one-fourth  and  one-third  the  distance  from  tlie 
lateral  angles  inward  toward  the  glabella.  Eyes  rather  depressed,  slightly 
arched  outward,  separated  from  each  other  by  a  space  somewhat  less  than 
half  the  entire  breadth  of  the  head,  and  placed  less  than  their  own  length  in 
advance  of  the  posterior  margin,  and  about  once  and  a  half  their  length  be- 
hind the  front  margin  of  the  head;  visual  surfaces  narrow,  and  not  showing 
any  lenses  under  a  good  magnifier. 

Thorax  with  its  length  bearing  the  proportions  to  that  of  the  head  of 
79  to  52,  and  to  its  own  breadth  of  79  to  107,  being  very  shghtly  wider 
near  the  middle  than  in  front,  and  narrowing  posteriorly,  with  gently  convex 
lateral  margins,  from  behind  the  middle  to  the  pygidium.  Axial  lobe  de- 
pressed, narrow,  or  only  about  two-thirds  the  breadth  of  each  lateral  lobe 
at  its  anterior  end,  and  narrowing  regularly  with  straight  sides  posteriorly; 
segments  thirteen,  nearly  or  quite  straight,  and  each  with  some  appearance 
of  a  small  node  or  prominence  at  each  end.^  Lateral  lobes  depressed  or 
nearly  flat ;  pleurae  almost  transverse,  or  arching  slightly  backward  to  near 
the  extremities,  which  are  abruptly  pointed ;  each  with  a  well-defined  fur- 
row, which  commences  small  near  the  anterior  inner  end,  and  widens  and 
deepens  for  about  half-way  out,  and  then  narrows  and  becomes  more  shal- 
low, so  as  to  die  out  before  reaching  the  lateral  extremities. 

.  Pygidium  subsemicircular,  being  rounded  posteriorly,  with  a  narrow, 
slightly -flattened  border,  and  somewhat  rounded  anterior  lateral  extremities; 
length  bearing  to  that  of  the  thorax  the  proportions  of  30  to  79,  and  to  that 
of  the  head  of  30  to  52,  with  a  breadth  of  not  quite  two-thirds  that  of  the 
head;  axial  lobe  equaling  more  than  two-thirds  the  length,  narrow,  depressed, 
and  showing  more  or  less  distinctly  about  five  segments;  lateral  lobes  much 
depressed,  nearly  twice  as  wide  at  the  anterior  end  as  the  middle  one,  each 
with  about  three  segments,  which  curve  a  little  backward,  and  become 
obsolete  before  passing  upon  tlie  narrow,  smooth  border;  segments  each 
provided  with  a  comparatively  large  longitudinal  furrow,  corresponding  to 
those  on  the  pleurae. 

*  lu  the  specimens,  these  little  prominences  seem  to  be  so  very  obscare  as  to 
leave  doubts  of  their  real  existence  as  nodes.  They  are  imich  too  distinctly  defined  in 
our  figure. 


22  PALJEONTOLOGT. 

Entire  surface  apparently  smooth,  excepting  fine  radiating  striae  on  the 
anterior  and  lateral  portions  of  the  cephalic  shield,  that  are  scarcely  visible 
without  the  aid  of  a  magnifier. 

Whole  length,  1.60  inches;  breadth  of  thorax,  1.07  inches;  of  cephalic 
shield  (somewhat  flattened  by  pressure),  about  1.12  inches;  length  of  thorax, 
0.70  inch;  length  of  pygidium,  0.30  inch;  breadth  of  same,  0.60  inch. 

Of  this  fine  Trilobite,  three  entire  specimens  and  a  part  of  another  were 
obtained.  They  are,  however,  all  merely  sharply-defined  natural  casts, 
formed  by  the  deposition  of  a  crust  of  arragonite  in  the  original  moulds  left 
by  the  fossil  in  some  kind  of  a  matrix.  The  specimens  were  evidently  some- 
what flattened  by  pressure  before  or  at  the  time  they  left  their  impressions 
in  the  rock.  This  compression  has  obscured  the  lateral  furrows  of  the  gla- 
bella; but  most  of  the  other  characters  of  the  upper  side  of  the  fossil  are 
clearly  seen,  even  to  the  facial  sutures,  and  the  faintly-marked  radiating 
strise  around  the  front  and  lateral  margins  of  the  cheeks. 

The  genus  Conocephalites  (or  more  properly  Conocoryphej  for  a  strict 
application  of  the  rules  of  priority  would,  I  should  think,  require  that  the 
latter  name  should  be  adopted  for  the  genus  to  which  they  were  both 
applied)  is  so  nearly  allied  to  Olenus  that  it  may  not  be  always  easy  to  dis- 
tinguish the  two  types  without  seeing  the  hypostoma,  and  hence  it  is  possi- 
ble that  the  fomi  under  consideration  may  be  more  properly  an  Olenus.  As 
it  has  more  the  regular  oval  outhne  of  the  former,  and  less  pointed  and  pro- 
duced pleurae  than  the  latter,  while  it  shows  clearly  the  fine  radiating  striae 
around  the  anterior  and  lateral  margins  of  the  head,  so  often  seen  in  Cono- 
corT/pJie,  it  more  probably  belongs  to  that  genus.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  how- 
ever, that  all  of  the  specimens  seem  to  be  much  more  depressed  or  flattened 
than  any  of  the  species  yet  described  of  that  genus,  while  only  one  of  them 
shows  any  traces  of  the  slender  ridge  usually  seen  passing  from  the  ante- 
rior end  of  each  eye  to  the  front  extremity  of  the  glabella;  and  in  this  one, 
the  ridge  is  so  faintly  marked  as  to  leave  doubts  whether  or  not  it  is 
natural. 

The  slight  differences  between  some  of  the  details  of  the  type  speci- 
men illustrated  on  our  plate,  and  those  figured  by  Dr.  White,  are  either 
sexual,  or  due  to  accidental  causes.     The  most  obvious  of  these  differences 


SILURIAN  SPECIES.  23 

is  the  greater  length  of  the  posterior  lateral  spines  of  the  cephalic  shield  in 
Dr.  White's  specimens,  which  difference  is  probably  sexual;  while  the  others 
seem  to  be  mainly  due  to  the  accidental  flattening  of  our  specimen. 

Locality  and  position. — Antelope  Springs,  House  Range,  Utah ;  Lower 
Silurian,  and  probably,  judging  from  the  known  position  of  the  genus  Com- 
cephalites  in  the  rocks  of  this  country  and  Europe,  from  the  Primordial 
Zone. 

Genus  PARADOXIDES,  Brongniart. 

Paradoxides  If  Nevadensis,  Meek. 

Plate  I,  fig,  5. 

Faradoxldes  f  Nevadensis,  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  ]S"at.  Sci.  Philad.,  62. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  Trilobite  obtained  consists  of  a  natural  cast, 
formed  by  a  moderately  thick  crust  of  arragonite,  deposited  in  a  natural 
mould,  or  impression,  of  a  part  of  the  thorax  and  the  pygidium,  with  the  free 
borders  of  the  latter  broken  away.  Its  rather  large  size,  much  depressed 
form,  spiniferous  pleurse,  and  general  physiognomy,  as  far  as  seen,  at  once 
recall  to  the  mind  the  well-known  genus  Paradoxides,  A  closer  inspection, 
however,  shows  its  pygidium  to  be  proportionally  larger  than  we  see  in  the 
known  species  of  that  genus,  with  possibly  tlie  exception  of  P.  Forsckham- 
meri  of  Angelin, 

Of  the  thorax,  eight  of  the  posterior  segments  are  preserved.  These  show 
the  axial  lobe  to  be  much  depressed,  and  about  as  wide  as  the  lateral  ones, 
exclusive  of  the  free  recurved  points  of  the  pleurse.  The  segments  of  the 
axial  lobe  are  defined  by  a  broad,  rounded  furrow,  or  depression,  across  the 
anterior  side  of  each,  and  have  much  the  general  appearance  of  those  of 
some  species  of  Paradoxides,  being  a  little  thickened,  squarely  truncated, 
and  slightly  curved  forward  at  the  ends.  But  they  differ  in  showing  dis- 
tinct remains  of  a  mesial  spine,  or  tubercle,  on  each,  and  in  having  an  obscure, 
oblique  furrow,  or  depression,  on  each  side,  passing  outward  and  backward 
from  the  broad,  anterior,  transverse  furrow  to  the  posterior  lateral  angles,  so 
as  partly  to  isolate  the  slightly-thickened  and  truncated  extremities  of  each. 
The  lateral  lobes  are  nearly  flat,  and  composed  of  pleurae  that  extend  straight 
outward  at  right  angles  to  the  axis,  to  their  free  extremities,  which  are 


24  '  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

abruptly  contracted  (almost  entirely  on  the  posterior  side)  into  slender, 
rounded,  very  sharp  spines,  which  curve  backward  and  outward.  Each  of 
the  pleurae  is  also  provided  with  a  broad,  rather  deep,  flattened  furrow, 
which  commences  near  the  inner  end,  and  extends  straight  outward  for 
some  distance,  with  parallel  sides,  but  gradually  tapers,  mainly  on  the  ante- 
rior side,  to  a  lanceolate  point,  before  reaching  tlie  free  extremities.  These 
furrows  have  not  the  obliquity  usually  seen  in  those  of  Paradoxides,  but  run 
parallel  to  the  direction  of  the  pleurae,  so  as  to  leave  a  slender  straight  ridge 
of  equal  size  along  the  anterior  and  posterior  margin  of  each  rib. 

The  pygidium,  exclusive  of  the  portions  of  the  free  border  broken  away, 
has  a  nearly  semicircular  outline,  being  about  twice  as  wide  as  long,  while 
it  is  as  much  flattened  as  the  thorax.  The  part  remaining  equals  in  length 
the  five  thoracic  segments  next  in  advance  of  it  Its  mesial  lobe  is  much 
depressed,  and  about  three-fourths  as  wide  anteriorly  as  the  breadth  of 
that  of  the  thorax  at  its  widest  part  seen.  Posteriorly  it  tapers  moderately, 
and  extends  nearly  the  entire  length  of  the  pygidium,  as  seen  with  the  free 
border  broken  away.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  the  flattened  border  pro- 
jected more  or  less  behind  its  termination.  It  shows  distinctly  five  seg- 
ments, with  indications  of  about  two  others  at  the  posterior  end.  The 
lateral  lobes  have  each  three  segments,  the  anterior  one  being  extended  out 
nearly  parallel  to  those  of  the  thorax,  while  the  others  are  directed  more 
obliquely  backward,  and  rapidl)^  widen  outward.  Like  the  pleurae,  they 
have  each  a  broad,  flattened  furrow;  that  of  the  anterior  one  being  nearly 
parallel  to  those  of  the  pleurae,  while  those  of  the  other  two  are  directed 
more  obhquely  backward,  particularly  the  posterior  one,  which  is  almost 
parallel  to  the  longitudinal  axis  of  the  body.  These  furrows  are  so  deep 
and  broad  as  to  give  the  three  segments  of  each  lateral  lobe  the  appearance 
of  &ix  iiTCgular  ndges;  the  irregularity  being  produced  by  the  posterior  two 
furrows,  instead  of  passing  along  the  middle  of  each  segment,  being  curved 
backward  so  as  to  divide  it  very  unequally,  leaving  the  anterior  part  much 
the  broader.     No  fine  surface-markings  are  preserved  on  the  specimen. 

Entire  length  of  the  imperfect  specimen,  nearly  3  inches,  of  which  the 
remaining  8  thoracic  segments  form  1.70  inches;  breadth  of  the  thorax,  exclu- 
sive of  the  free  spiniferous  ends  of  the  pleurae,  2.05  inches,  and,  including 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  25 

the  projecting  ends  of  the  pleuroe,  2.40  inches;  length  of  what  remains 
of  the  pygidium,  1.03  inches;  breadth  of  the  same,  about  1.80  inches. 

Supposing  it  to  be  a  true  Paradoxides,  with  not  less  than  sixteen  thoracic 
segments,  the  entire  specimen,  when  complete,  could  not  have  been  far  from 
six  inches  in  length.     It  can  hardly  be  a  true  ParadoxideSj  however. 

It  is  possible  I  should  call  this  species  Olenus  or  Paraholina  Nevadensis; 
but  its  large  size  seems  to  be  an  objection  to  placing  it  in  any  section  of 
either  of  these  groups.  In  the  possession  of  a  node,  or  spine,  on  each  of  the 
thoracic  segments,  as  well  as  in  the  direction  of  the  posterior  segments  of 
the  lateral  lobes  of  the  pygidium,  it  agrees  with  the  type  of  Paraholina;  but, 
unfortunately,  the  specimen  is  not  in  a  condition  to  show  whether  or  not 
these  segments  of  the  pygidium  terminated  in  produced  marginal  spines, 
while  the  furrows  of  its  pleurae  have  not  the  obliquity  of  those  seen  in  that 
type,  but  agree  more  nearly  with  those  of  some  species  of  Conocorypke,  The 
comparatively  large  size  of  its  pygidium,  and  the  nodes,  or  spines,  on  its 
thoracic  segments,  as  well  as  the  nature  of  the  furrows  of  the  pleurae,  are 
rather  against  its  reference  to  Paradoxides,  and  lead  me  to  think  that  it  may 
belong  to  an  undescribed  genus;  if  so,  it  might  be  called  Olenoides. 

Locality  and  position, — Same  as  last. 


DEVONIAN     SPECIES. 

EADIATA. 
POLYPI. 

FAVOSITIDJl. 

Genus  ALVEOLITES,  Lamarck. 
Alveolites  multilamella,  Meek. 

Plate  2,  figs.  7,  7  o,  and  7  &. 

Corallum  massive,  apparently  hemispherical,  or  subglobose.  Calices 
very  small,  or  uniformly  only  about  three-hundredth s  of  an  inch  in  their 
greater  diameter,  and  about  half  as  much  in  their  smaller  diameter ;  as 


26  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

seen  in  transverse  sections,  subtrigonal  or  subrhombic,  and  separated  by 
walls  equaling  their  smaller  diameter  in  thickness;  apparently  not  very 
oblique  at  their  terminations  to  the  general  surface,  and  showing  (at  least 
in  sections)  a  small  tooth-like  projection  at  the  middle  of  the  outer  wall. 
Longitudinal  sections  showing  the  tabulae  to  be  numerous,  extremely  thin, 
and  not  always  exactly  transverse  or  parallel  to  each  other,  but  nearly  so, 
and  arranged  somewhat  regularly  at  intervals  of  only  one-hundredth  of 
an  inch  apart.  Mural  pores  comparatively  rather  large,  and  regularly 
arranged,  so  that  six  of  them  may  be  counted  in  a  space  of  one-tenth  of 
an  inch. 

In  the  size  and  form  of  its  calicos,  as  well  as  in  its  massive  growth, 
this  species  is  nearly  allied  to  a  coral  described  by  the  writer  (under  the 
name  J.,  valloriim),  found  by  Mr.  Kennicott  at  *Hhe  Ramparts"  on  Macken- 
zie River,  near  Fort  Good  Hope,  Arctic  America  (see  Trans.  Chicago 
Acad.  Sci.,  I,  86,  pi.  xi,  fig.  9).  It  differs,  however,  in  having  its  calices 
slightly  larger,  and  not  ranging  near  so  obliquely  to  the  general  surface ; 
the  tubes  formed  by  their  continuous  growth  being  much  straighter,  and 
more  nearly  parallel  with  each  other,  or  only  slightly  radiating,  instead  of 
being  very  oblique  and  curving  about  in  all  directions.  Whether  or  not  it 
agrees  with  the  Arctic  species  in  the  arrangement  of  its  numerous  transverse 
septa  or  diaphragms  and  its  mural  pores,  I  have  been  unable  to  determine ; 
these  parts  not  having  been  seen  in  that  coral. 

Compared  with  European  species,  it  seems  to  be  in  some  respects 
allied  to  A.  spborhicularis,  Lamarck,  from  the  Devonian  rocks  of  France, 
and  A.  reticulatuSj  Steininger,  from  rocks  of  the  same  age  in  France  and 
Germany.  From  the  first,  it  differs  in  its  massive  instead  of  encrusting 
mode  of  growth,  as  well  as  in  its  thicker  walls  between  the  calices,  which 
latter  are  also  smaller;  while  its  tabulae  are  much  more  numerous  and  more 
crowded.  Its  calices  are  a  size  larger  than  those  of  A.  reticulatus,  and  sepa- 
rated by  thinner  walls,  they  also  seem  to  be  less  oblique. 

Locality  and  position. — Argyle   Hill,  White   Pine   District,    Nevada; 

Devonian. 

Alveolites  (undt.  sp.) 

From  near  the  same  locality,  there  is,  in  the  collection,  from  the  Devo- 


DEVONIAN  SPE€IES.  27 

nian  of  the  White  Pine  District,  an  imperfect  specimen  of  an  Alveolites, 
that  grew  in  an  irregular,  rather  thin,  foHated  form,  with  exceedingly- 
oblique  calices,  of  somewhat  larger  size  and  narrower  form  than  the  fore- 
going. This,  I  think,  belongs  to  another  species ;  but  the  specimen  is 
scarcely  in  a  condition  to  admit  of  its  being  figured  and  described, 

Genns  FAVOSITES,  Lamarck. 
Favosites  (undt.  sp.). 

Plate  1,  fig.  6. 

Corallum  small,  siibglobose  or  ovoid,  often  growing  attached  to  shells. 
Corallites  rather  small,  and  very  unequal  in  size  and  form,  in  consequence 
of  the  rapid  growth  of  young  ones  between  the  corners  of  the  old,  so  as  to 
give  the  latter  a  polygonal  or  nearly  circular  outline,  while  the  mucli 
smaller  young  often  appear  at  the  surface  with  a  trigonal  or  quadrangular 
form,  all  rapidly  radiating  in  all  directions.  Tabulse  passing  straight 
across  at  intervals  nearly  equaling  the  diameter  of  the  larger  corallites. 
(Septa  and  mural  pores  unknown.) 

Diameter  of  corallum,  about  1.50  inches;  of  the  largest  corallites, 
about  0.08  inch. 

The  specimens  of  this  little  coral  have  all  the  cavities  solidly  filled 
with  silicious  matter,  so  that  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  make  out  very  clearly 
its  more  important  specific  characters.  It  may  be  a  new  species ;  but,  in  a 
genus  like  this,  the  species  of  which  are  often  so  diflicult  to  distinguish, 
even  from  the  very  best  preserved  specimens,  it  would  be  folly  to  attempt 
to  identify  our  coral  with  any  of  the  known  species,  or  to  name  and 
describe  it  as  new,  without  better  specimens  for  comparison. 

Loeality  and  position. — Three  miles  south  of  Piiion  Pass,  Pinon  Range, 

Nevada;    Lower   Devonian  or   Upper   Silurian.     Found   associated  with 

Spirifer  Pinonensis,  Atrypa  reticularis,  FAmondiaf  Pifionensis,  and  fragments 

of  a  JDahnanites, 

Favosites  polymorpha,  Goldf.  ?,  var. 

Plate  2,  fig.  3. 
Calamopora polymorpha,  Goldf.  (1826),  Petrif.  Germ.,  T,  79,  tab.  27.* 

Of  this  coral,  I  have  seen  but  the  single  fragment  figured,  and  this  is 
*  For  synonymy,  see  Edwards  and  Ilaime's  Monograph  of  Fossil  Corals. 


28  palj5o:ntology. 

not  ill  a  very  good  condition  for  examination.  As  nearly  as  its  characters 
can  be  made  out,  it  seems  to  belong  to  one  of  the  varieties  or  species 
usually  referred  to  F.  polymorpha  of  Goldfuss,  Without  more  and  better 
specimens,  however,  it  would  scarcely  be  possible  to  determine  its  specific 
relations  with  exactness. 

Locality  and  position. — Rio  Verde,  Arizona;  found  by  Dr.  Palmer 
associated  with  CyatJiophyUum  Palmeri. 

Genus  SYRINGOPORA,  Goldfuss. 
Sykingopora  (iiudt.  fp.). 

Corallites  very  slender  or  only  about  0.06  inch  in  diameter;  generally 
separated  by  spaces  from  one  to  three  or  four  times  their  own  diameter ; 
usually  nearly  straight,  but  sometimes  more  or  less  flexuous ;  surface  with 
small  transverse  wrinkles;  connecting  tubes  distantly  separated;  (interior 
unknown). 

In  its  general  appearance,  this  coral  rather  closely  resembles  S,  perele- 
gans^  Billings  (Canadian  Journal,  March,  1859,  fig.  19),  and  it  may  possibly 
belong  to  that  species.  As  I  only  know  it,  however,  from  imperfect  speci- 
mens, and  there  are  doubtless  many  closely-allied  species  of  this  genus  in 
the  rocks  of  this  country,  I  do  not  feel  warranted  in  identifying  it  with 
that  described  by  Mr.  Billings,  or  in  naming  it  as  a  new  species.  Its  coral- 
lites are  certainly  more  widely  separated  than  in  Mr.  Billings's  typical 
specimens,  and,  although  this  is  to  a  considerable  extent  a  variable  charac- 
ter, I  am  rather  inclined  to  regard  it  as  a  distinct  species. 

Locality  and  position. — Babylon  Ilill,  White  Pine  Mining  District; 
Devonian. 

CYATHOPHYLLID^. 

Genus  PTYCHOPHYLLUM,  E.  &  H. 
Ptyohophyllum  ?  iNFUNDiBULUM,  Meek. 

Plate  2,  figs.  1,  1  a,  I  6. 

Corallum  subturbinate,  or  possibly  becoming  more  or  less  cylindrical 
with  age ;  central  fossula  moderately  deep,  truncato-obconic,  about  one- 
third  the  breadth  of  the  entire  corallum ;  rays  stout,  about  fifty,  generally 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  29 

rather  arcuate,  or  sometimes  nearly  straight  along  most  of  their  length, 
every  alternate  one  (or  sometimes  more)  extending  in  nearly  or  quite  to 
the  middle,  where  they  become  tortuous,  and  apparently  form  a  small,  false 
columella ;  transverse  plates  stout,  sometimes  dividing,  sloping  a  little  from 
near  the  fossula  to  their  free  margins,  which  are  subcrenate,  while  within 
they  curve  abruptly  downward  around  the  fossula.  Transverse  sections 
showing  what  appear  to  be  a  few  dissepiments,  arching  strongly  outward 
between  the  septa ;  but  these  may  be  oblique  sections  of  the  divisions  of 
the  infundebuliform  plates.  Vertical  section  showing  a  small  prominence 
at  the  bottom  of  the  central  fossula,  and  under  the  fossula  a  few  thin  dis- 
sepiments passing  transversely  or  curving  a  little  upward  as  they  approach 
what  appears  like  a  slender  central  columella. 

Breadth,  nearly  two  inches ;  height,  somewhat  less  than  one  inch. 

The  specimens  of  this  coral  in  the  collection  are  very  imperfect,  and 
leave  some  doubts  in  regard  to  its  true  relations.  Possibly  I  should  call  it 
Chonophyllum  infundibulum,  to  which  genus  I  was  at  first  inclined  to  refer  it. 
On  making  vertical  sections  of  one  of  the  specimens,  however,  I  have  found 
some  appearances  of  a  small,  false  columella.  If  these  appearances  are  not 
deceptive,  it  would  fall  into  the  genus  Ptycliophyllum ;  but,  if  there  was  no 
columella,  it  would  have  to  be  referred  to  the  genus  Chonophjllum.  Its 
septa,  however,  are  much  less  numerous  than  those  of  any  of  the  described 
species  of  the  former  genus ;  while  it  has  also  a  smaller  number  than  in 
any  of  the  latter  known  to  me,  and  likewise  has  a  differently-formed 
calice. 

Locality  and  position. — Treasure  Hill,  White  Pine  Mining  District, 
Nevada ;  from  the  silver-bearing  Devonian  rocks  of  that  region. 

Genus  DIPHYPHYLLUM,  Lonsdale. 

DiPHYPHYLLUM  FASCICXJLUM,  Meek. 
Plate  2,  figs.  4,4  a,  4  6. 

Corallum  growing  in  tufts ;  corallites  slender,  elongated,  cylindrical, 
moderately  flexuous,  and  often  adhering  or  growing  together  where  brought 
into  contact  by  the  flexures,  or  sometimes  by  short,  irregular,  transverse 
processes;  gemmation  lateral;  epitheca  thin,  and  easily  removed  by  weath- 


30  PAL/EONTOLOGY. 

ering,  so  as  to  expose  the  edges  of  the  septa,  thus  presenting  a  distinctly 
striated  appearance;  surface  more  or  less  wrinkled  transversely,  but  not  very 
sti'ongly  so;  septa  from  about  thirty-six  to  forty,  every  alternate  one  of  which 
is  shghtly  thinner  than  the  others,  and  generally  terminates  at,  or  a  little 
within,  the  thin  wall  of  the  outer  vesicular  zone,  while  the  others  continue 
straight  inward,  and  terminate  abruptly  a  little  before  reaching  the  middle. 
Vertical  section  showing  the  narrow  central  space  not  occupied  by  the 
septa  to  be  crossed  by  transverse  plates,  which  seem  to  curve  downward, 
and  sometimes  to  divide  all  around  the  central  transversely  septate  space, 
so  as  to  form  a  kind  of  narrow,  undefined  inner  vesicular  area.  Out- 
side of  this,  there  is  a  well-defined,  very  narrow,  outer,  vesicular  zone,  sepa- 
rated from  the  inner  by  a  distinct,  very  thin  wall,  and  occupied  by  only  a 
single  series  of  vesicles,  the  dissepiments  between  which  range  obliquely 
outward  and  upward,     (Calices  unknown.) 

Entire  size  of  corallum  unknown;  diameters  of  corallites,  from  0.16  to 
0.^0  inch;  spaces  between  the  corallites  rarely  greater  than  the  diameter  of 
the  latter,  and  generally  less. 

This  coral  seems  to  present  essentially  the  structure  of  the  genus  Dipliy- 
phyllmn  of  Lonsdale,  particularly  as  illustrated  by  Professor  McCoy  in  his  fig- 
ures of  his  D.  latiseptum  (Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  pi.  3  c,  fig.  10.)  Specifically, 
however,  it  differs  materially  from  that  form  in  having  more  slender  coral- 
lites, and  a  much  narrower,  outer,  vesicular  zone,  as  well  as  a  proportionally 
wider  middle  area  occupied  by  the  broad  tabulae. 

1  am  aware  that  Edwards  and  Haime  have  expressed  the  opinion,  in 
their  valuable  Monograph  of  the  Fossil  Corals  (p,  446),  that  the  specimens 
on  which  Lonsdale's  genus  Diphyphyllum  was  founded,  and  those  of  another 
species  described  by  McCoy,  are  probably  only  examples  of  Lithostrotion, 
in  which  the  columella  had  accidentally  been  dissolved  out  during  the 
process  of  fossilization.  If  this  is  so,  the  name  of  the  species  here  under 
consideration  would  probably  become  Diplophyllum  fasciculum^  as  it  seems 
to  present  very  nearly  the  structure  of  that  genus  as  proposed  by  Professor 
Hall,  who,  however,  has  since  expressed  doubts  whether  or  not  his  genus  is 
distinct  from  Diphyphyllum  of  Lonsdale, 

Whatever  may  be  the  real  structure  of  Lonsdale^s  typical  specimens  of 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  31 

DiphyphyUum,  it  seems  to  me  that  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  in  regard 
to  the  coral  under  consideration  having  no  trances  of  a  columella.  It  is  true 
that  fossil  corals,  in  different  states  of  preservation,  sometimes  do  present 
quite  deceptive  appearances  in  their  internal  structure;  but,  from  the  exami- 
nation of  ground  sections  in  various  directions  through  the  corallites,  as  well 
as  from  broken  specimens,  showing  the  interior  more  or  less  distinctly,  I 
think  I  cannot  be  mistaken  in  the  conclusion  that  this  coral  has  not  the 
characters  of  Litliostrotion^  and  agrees  with  Lonsdale's  genus. 

Locality  and  position. — Argyle  and  Treasure  Hills,  White  Pine  Mining 
District,  Nevada;  Devonian. 

Genus  ACERVULARIA,  Schweigger. 

ACERVULARIA  PENTAGONA,   GoldfuSS  (sp.). 
Plate  2,  ^g9.  5,  5  a. 

Gyathophyllum  pentago7ium,  Goldf.  (182C),  Petref.  Germ.,  I,  60,  tab.  19,  fig.  3.— Morveu 

(1832),  Descr.  Corall.  Belg.,  56. 
Favastrea  pentagona,  de  Blainville  (1830),  Diet.  Sci.  Nat.,  LX,  340;  Mann.  d'Actin.,  375. 
Astrea  pentagonay  Lonsdale  (1840),  Geol.  Trans.,  2d  ser.,  V,  pi.  57,  fig.  1.— Phillips 

(1841),  Palaeozoic  Fossils,  II,  pi.  6,  fig.  15. 
Acervularia  pentagona,  Micbelin  (1845),  Icon.,  180,  pi.  49,  fig.  1. — McCoy  (1851),  Brit. 

Palaeozoic  Foss.,  19. — Edwards  and  Haime  (1851),  Polyp.  Terr.  Pal^oz.,  418; 

and  Brit.  Foss.  Corals,  238,  pi.  53,  figs.  5,  5  a,  5  &.— Pictet,  Traits  de  Pal^ont., 

pi.  108,  fig.  3.—Milne  Edwards,  Hist,  des  Corall.,  Ill,  410. 
Acervularia  ananas,  Micbelin  (1845),  Icon.,  pi.  47,  fig.  1. 
Lithostrotion  pentagonum,  d'Orbigny  (1850),  Prodr.  de  Paleout.,  I,  106. 

Corallum  astreiform.  Corallites  comparatively  small,  and  of  rather  uni- 
form size,  generally  hexagonal  or  pentagonal;  septa  eighteen  to  twenty -fom-, 
rather  strong,  nearly  straight,  half  of  them  teraiinating  at  the  inner  wall, 
while  the  others  continue  in  nearly  to  the  center;  outer  walls  very  thin, 
minutely  zigzag;  inner  walls  moderately  defined  around  the  calices,  which 
are  of  medium  depth,  and  generally  rather  more  than  one-third  as  wide  as 
the  corallites.  Dissepiments,  as  seen  between  the  walls  in  vertical  sections, 
very  thin,  rather  closely  arranged,  and  at  some  points  slightly  waved. 

Entire  breadth  of  corallum  unknown ;  breadth  of  an  imperfect  mass  of 
same,  2.80  inches;  breadth  of  coralHtes,  about  0.18  inch;  breadth  of  calices, 
about  0.07  inch. 


32  ^AL.EO^TOLOG  Y. 

The  specimen  referred  to  the  above  species  seems  to  agree  well  with 
the  published  figures  and  descriptions  of  that  form.  Its  outer  walls,  as 
seen  in  transverse  sections,  are  perhaps  a  little  thinner,  and  its  septa  slightly 
more  rigid  or  less  curved,  than  represented  in  Edwards  and  Haime's  enlarged 
figure  of  Goldfuss'  species ;  but,  unless  better  specimens  than  that  I  have 
seen  might  reveal  some  other  characters  than  those  observed,  I  cannot  see  how 
it  can  be  separated  from  the  European  form. 

It  has  much  smaller  corallites  than  any  other  species  of  the  genus 
known  to  me  from  American  rocks. 

Locality  and  position. — Treasure  Hill,  Nevada;  silver-bearing  Devonian 
beds. 

Genus  SMITHIA,  E.  &  H. 

Smithia  Hennahii,  Lonsdale  (sp.). 

Plate  2,  fig.  6,  6  a 

Afftrwa  Hennahii  (pRYH),  Lousd.  (1840),  in  Sedgwick  and  Murcbison,  Geol.  Trans.,  3d 
sen,  V,  G97,  pi.  58,  JBg.  3.— Phillips  (1841),  Palaeozoic  Foss.,  12,  pL  6,  fig.  16. 

Cyathophyllum  Hennahii,  Bronn  (1848),  Index  Palaeont.,  I,  368. 

Lithostrotion  Hennahii  and  Actinocyaihus  Eennahiij  d'Orbigny(1850),  Prodr.de  Pal6ont., 
I,  1(16  and  107. 

PhilUpsastrea  Hennahii  (pars),  d'Orbigny  (1850),  ib.,  107. 

Smithia  Hennahii^  Edwards  and  Ilairae  (1851),  Polyp.  Foss.  des  Terr.  Pal^oz.,  421; 
Brit.  Foss.,  Corals,  240,  pi.  54,  ^g,  4.— Edwards  (1860),  Hist.  CoralL,  III,  413. 

Arachnophyllum  Hennahii,  MrQoy  (1851),  Brit.  Palaeoz.  Foss.,  72. 

Acervularia  seriaca^  Quenstedt  (1852),  Handb.  der  Petret'.,  664,  pi.  60,  fig.  3. 

Corallum  apparently  subhemi spherical  in  general  form.  Mural  circles 
from  twice  to  about  four  times  their  own  diameter  apart,  but  iiTegularly 
an-anged ;  as  seen  in  a  transverse  section,  moderately  well  defined.  Septa 
twenty-three  to  twenty-six,  very  thin  excepting  near  the  mural  circles,  where 
they  are  somewhat  thickened,  and  every  alternate  one  terminates,  while  the 
others  continue  straight  inward  nearly  to  the  center ;  all  more  extended, 
straighter,  and  more  directly  confluent  in  one  direction  (usually  outward 
toward  the  periphery  of  the  corallum)  than  transversely  to  the  same;  in 
which  latter  direction  they  are  variously  curved,  or  more  or  less  abruptly 
geniculated.  Vertical  section  showing  the  vesicular  dissepiments  between 
the  septa  to  be  very  thin,  nearly  horizontal,  and  rather  closely  arranged. 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  33 

Greatest  transverse  diameter  of  corallum,  4  inches  or  more;  diameter 
of  mural  circles,  about  0.10  inch ;  number  of  vesicular  dissepiments  seen 
between  two  of  the  septa,  in  a  space  of  0.10  inch  of  vertical  section,  8. 

It  is  possible  that  a  very  critical  comparison  of  good  specimens  might 
show  some  differences  in  the  details  of  structure  by  which  this  coral  could 
be  separated  from  the  European  Smithia  Hennahii;  but  I  have  failed  to  de- 
tect any  characters,  either  mentioned  in  the  descriptions  or  illustrated  in  the 
most  reliable  published  figures  of  that  species,  by  which  our  specimens  can 
be  distinguished.  Every  word  in  Edwards  and  Haime^s  description  of  S. 
Hennahiiy  as  they  restrict  the  species,  would  apply  equally  well  to  the  spec- 
imens under  consideration,  so  far  as  their  structure  can  be  made  out. 

.    Locality  and  position, — Babylon  Hill,  White  Pine  Mining  District,  from 
the  silver-bearing  rock ;  Devonian. 

Genus  CYATHOPHYLLUM,  Goldfuss. 
Oyathophylltjm  Palmeri,  Meek. 

Plate  2,  fig.  2. 

Corallum  composite,  astreiform,  growing  in  irregular  masses  three  to 
four  or  more  inches  in  diameter,  with  the  corallites  radiating  in  all  direc- 
tions from  near  the  base  of  attachment.  Corallites  very  unequal  in  size,  and 
usually  pentagonal  or  hexagonal  in  form,  with  rather  deep  calicos  in  the 
middle;  separated  by  nearly  straight,  moderately-projecting  walls,  excepting 
where  a  young  corallite  protrudes  a  little  beyond  the  others,  when  it  is 
sometimes  surrounded  by  a  nearly  circular  wall.  Gemmation  both  calicu- 
lar  and  interstitial;  in  the  former  case,  the  young  corallites  often  growing  up 
directly  in  the  middle  of  the  calicos  of  the  old,  and  soon  expanding  so  as  to  take 
the  place  of  the  latter.  Septa  twenty-eight  to  thirty-four,  well  developed, 
slightly  denticulated,  thicker,  and  most  prominent  for  about  half-way  inward, 
where  every  alternate  one  thins  off  to  nothing,  while  the  others  continue  on  very 
thin  to  the  center,  where  they  form,  without  twisting,  a  small  projection  in 
the  bottom  of  each  calice.  Vesicular  dissepiments  very  thin,  rather  closely 
aiTanged,  and  not  continued  in  farther  than  the  ends  of  the  shorter  septa. 

Breadth  of  the  whole  corallum,  4  or  more  inches;  height,  about  2.50 

3PE 


34  PALEONTOLOGY. 

inches;  breadth  of  the  largest  corallites,  about  0.40  inch;  but  the  average  size 
not  more  than  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  much. 

At  a  first  glance,  this  coral  recalls  such  forms  as  Cyathophyllum  quadri- 
gemmatuMf  Goldfuss,  as  represented  by  figs.  6  b  and  6  c,  plate  xviii,  of 
his  Petref.  Germ.  A  moment's  comparison,  however,  shows  that  it  is  very  dis- 
tinct. In  the  first  place,  its  corallites  are  more  compactly  crowded  together, 
and  more  strongly  radiating,  in  consequence  of  the  more  rapid  growth  of  inter- 
mediate young  corallites,  thus  leaving  no  space  for  any  of  them  to  grow 
out  free  from  the  others.  In  a  few  instances,  where  a  young  corallite  grew 
more  rapidly  than  the  others,  it  became  free,  and  assumed  a  round  or  oval 
outline ;  but  this  form  seems  never  to  have  been  continued  for  more  than 
very  short  distance  before  the  rapid  expansion  of  the  young  brought  them 
into  contact  laterally,  when  they  assumed  angular  outlines  like  the  old  ones, 
thus  covered  and  hidden  from  view.  The  form  of  the  calicos  in  the  species 
under  consideration  is  also  quite  difierent,  being  very  shallow  or  nearly 
flat  for  about  half-way  in  from  the  walls,  and  then  dropping  in  almost  ver- 
tically ;  while,  in  C.  quadriffemmatum,  they  slope  abruptly  inward  from  tlie 
walls.  The  latter  likewise  has  about  forty-six  nearly  equal  septa  to  each 
corallite. 

It  is  probably  more  nearly  allied  to  C,  Sedgwicki,  Edwards  and  Haime 
(see  British  Foss.  Corals,  pi.  lii,  figs.  3,  3  a),  but  it  differs  in  having  con- 
stantly a  smaller  number  of  septa,  which  are  all  thicker  at  their  outer  ends, 
and  taper  inward,  instead  of  being  all  thinner  there,  with  the  longer  series 
becoming  thickened  about  half-way  in,  and  then  tJbinning  inward. 

The  young  corallites  growing  up  within  the  old  often  give  the  coral  the 
appearance  of  an  Acervularia ;  but  a  moment's  examination  shows  that  these 
inner  circles  are  young  corallites,  and  not  inner  walls. 

The  specific  name  is  given  in  honor  of  Dr.  E.  Palmer,  who  discovered 
and  brought  in  the  only  specimens  I  have  ever  seen.  They  are  all  silicified, 
so  as  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  ascertaining  the  internal  structure  by  sec- 
tions of  the  corallites. 

Locality  and  position, — Rio  Verde,  Arizona;  from  its  affinities,  it  is 
believed  to  be  of  Devonian  age. 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  35 

MOLLUSOA. 

BRACHIOPODA. 

STEOPHOMENIDiE. 

Genus  HEMIPRONITES,  Pander. 

Hemipronites  CHEMUNaENSis  var.  ARCTOSTRIATA,  CoDrad  (sp.). 

Plate  3,  fig.  2. 

Strophomena  Ghemungensis^  Conrad  (1843),  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VIII,  257,  pi. 

14,  fig.  12. 
Orthisina  arctostriata,  Hall  (1861),  Thirteenth  Eeport  Regents  Univ.  N.  Y.  on  State 

Cab.  N.  EL,  80  5  and  (1862)  Fifteenth  do.,  185  and  186,  figs.  1  and  2. 
Streptorhynchus  arctostriatusj  Hall  (1863),  Sixteenth  Report  Regents  Univ.  K.  Y.  on 

State  Cab.  N.  H.,  62. 
Sireptorhynehus  Chemiaigensis  var.  arctostriata.  Hall  (1867),  Palseont.  N.  Y.,  IV,  71.* 

Shell  small,  nearly  semicircular,  rather  depressed ;  hinge  very  nearly 
or  quite  equaling  the  greatest  breadth;  lateral  extremities  about  rectangular; 
anterior  and  lateral  margins  forming  together  a  semicircular  curve.  Ven- 
tral valve  most  convex  at  the  beak,  which  is  only  moderately  prominent, 
and  a  little  distorted,  but  not  arched,,  and  seems  in  the  figured  specimen  to 
have  been  broken  at  the  apex  in  becoming  detached  from  some  body  to 
v^hich  it  had  grown ;  area  comparatively  low,  nearly  flat,  and  very  slightly 
inclined  forward,  or  ranging  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  plane  of  the  valves; 
pseudo-deltidium  triangular  and  a  little  convex ;  surface  marked  by  small 
radiating  striae.     Dorsal  valve  unknown. 

Length,  0.31  inch;  breadth,  0.45  inch;  convexity  of  ventral  valve,  0.12 
inch. 

So  far  as  can  be  determined  from  a  single  specimen  of  a  ventral  valve, 

*  Professor  Hall's  latest  conclusion  on  this  point  is,  that  Conrad's  Strophomena 
GJiemungensis,  puhliBhed  in  1843,  includes,  either  as  varieties  or  individual  modifica- 
tions of  form,  etc.,  all  of  the  following  proposed  species,  viz.,  Strophomena  hifurcata^ 
Hall,  1843;  8.  arctostriatay  Hall,  1843;  8, pectinacea^  Hall,  1843;  Orthis  perversa,  Hall, 
1847;  Orthisina  arctostriata^  Hall,  1860;  0.  alternata.  Hall,  1860;  and  OrtMs  inequalis 
and  0.  parvis,  Hall,  1858;  as  well  as  8treptorhynchus  pandora,  Billings,  1860.  The 
names  8»  pandora,  8,  arctostriata,  8,  perversa,  and  8,  peotinacea,  he  retains  for  varie- 
ties of  Mr.  Conrad's  species  (see  Palaeont.  N.  Y.,  IV,  67-73). 


36  PALEONTOLOGY. 

with  the  shell  mostly  exfoliated,  this  form  seems  to  agree  well  with  the 
above-cited  New  York  species,  as  may  be  seen  by  comparing  our  figure  with 
fig.  2,  pi.  9,  of  the  4th  vol.  N.  Y.  Palaeontology.  It  is  quite  possible,  how- 
ever, that  a  direct  comparison  with  New  York  specimens  might  show  it  to 
be  distinct.  I  do  not  feel  justifiable,  however,  without  a  good  series  of 
specimens  from  the  two  distantly-separated  localities  for  comparison,  in  run- 
ning the  risk  of  further  complicating  the  synonymy  of  a  species  that  has 
already  received  so  many  names,  and  consequently  prefer  to  refer  it  to  the 
New  York  species,  instead  of  attempting  to  name  it  as  new. 

Locality  and  position, — Colonel  Simpson's  collection,  latitude  39^  30' 
N.,  longitude  115^  36'  W.;  from  dark  Devonian  limestone. 

PRODUOTID^. 

Genus  PRODUCTUS,  Sowerby. 
Produotus  subaouleatus,  Murchison  ? . 

Plate  3,  figs.  7,  7  a,  7  6. 

Productus  snbaeuleatm,  Murchison  (1840),  Bull.  Soc.  Geol.  Fr.,  XI,  255j  pi.  ii,  &g,  9. 

De  Verneuir(m  part)  (1845),  Geol.  Euss.  and  the  Ural  Mts.,  11,282,  pi.  xvi, 
fig.  9.— De  Koninck  (1847),  M^m.  Soc.  Roy.  Li^ge,  IV,  249,  pi.  xiv,  fig.  4;  and 
Monogr.  Prod,  and  Chon.,  142,  pi.  xvi,  fig.  4.— De  Vern.  (1847),  Bull.— Soc. 
G6ol.  Fr.,  2d  ser.,  IV,  705,  pi.  Ix.— Schnurr  (1853),  in  Dunker  and  von 
Meyer's  Palaeont.,  II,  228,  pL  xliii,  fig.  4  a. — Davidson  (1853),  Quart.  Jour. 
Geol.  Soc,  336,  pi.  xv,  fig.  12.— Sandberger  (1855),  Die  Brach.  Reiniscb. 
Schicht.  Nassau,  75,  pi.  xxxiv,  fig.  17.— Davidson  (1865),  Monogr.  Brit.  Devon. 
Foss.,  99,  pi.  XX,  parts  1-2. — Meek  (1876),  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across 
the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  345,  pi.  i,  figs.  3  a,  6,  c. 

Lept<ma  fragaria,  Sowerby  (1840),  Trans.  Geol.  Soc.  Lond.,  2  ser.,  V,  704,  pi.  ivi.  fig. 
5.— Phillips  (1841),  Pal.  Foss.,  59,  pi.  xxv,  fig.  100. 

Lepicena  (Strophalosia)  subaculeata,  McCoy  (1852),  Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  388. 

Comp,  P.  Shumardianus  var.  pyxidatus^  Hall  (1858),  Iowa  Report,  I,  part  2, 498  and 
499. 

Shell  small,  thin,  truncato-subhemispherical;  hinge  equaling  or  less 
than  the  greatest  breadth;  ears  small,  nearly  rectangular^  or  somewhat 
rounded;  lateral  margins  rounding  to  the  front,  which  is  regularly  rounded 
in  outline.  Ventral  valve  moderately  convex,  the  greatest  convexity  being 
near  the  middle,  without  any  traces  of  a  mesial  sinus;  beak  not  very  prom- 
inent, incurved,  though  without  distinctly  passing  within  the  hinge-margin ; 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  37 

surface  with  small,  obscure,  concentric  wrinkles  and  strise  of  growth  (strongest 
on  the  ears  and  sides  of  the  umbonal  region),  and  scattering  spine-bases, 
apparently  most  numerous  on  the  ears.  Dorsal  valve  somewhat  more  than 
semicircular  in  outHne,  rather  distinctly  concave,  the  greatest  concavity  be- 
ing in  the  central  and  anterior  regions,  marked  with  small,  rather  regular, 
concentric  wrinkles  and  striae  of  growth,  with  scattering  pits  corresponding  to 
the  positions  of  the  spines  of  the  other  valve. 

Length,  0.50  inch;  breadth,  0.57  inch;  convexity,  0.25  inch. 

In  regard  to  this  little  shell,  I  can  only  say  that  it  seems  to  be  so  nearly 
like  European  forms  referred  by  good  authorities  to  P,  subaculeatus  that  I 
have  not  been  able,  from  the  imperfect  specimens  yet  brought  in,  to  be  quite 
sure  that  it  is  distinct.  It  is  certainly  nearly  allied  to  that  species,  if  not  the 
same.  As  near  as  can  be  determined,  however,  from  mere  internal  casts,  it 
would  seem  not  to  have  had  such  distinct  tubercles  at  the  bases  of  the 
spines  as  we  see  represented  in  most  of  the  published  figures  of  Murchison's 
species ;  though  in  this  respect  it  appears  not  to  differ  from  the  Russian  spec- 
imens referred  by  De  Verneuil  to  P.  subaculeatus.  Still  it  differs  from  these 
and  the  specimens  figured  by  others,  in  having  more  distinct  concentric 
wrinkles,  particularly  on  the  dorsal  valve.  I  expect  it  is  probably  only  a 
representative  species,  but  have  not  the  necessary  specimens  to  determine 
the  question  at  present. 

In  general  appearance,  and  the  absence  of  any  traces  of  longitudinal 
striae,  it  resembles  P.  pyxidatus  of  Hall,  but  differs  in  being  more  convex, 
more  symmetrical,  and  in  having  smaller  ears  and  stronger  concentric 
wrinkles,  particularly  on  the  dorsal  valve.^ 

Locality  and  position.  — From  the  dark,  silver-bearing  limestone,  contain- 
ing Devonian  fossils,  in  White  Pine  District,  Nevada.  Colonel  Simpson  also 
brought  specimens  of  it  from  the  same  rock  at  latitude  39^  30'  N.,  longi- 
tude 115^  36'  W.,  in  1860. 

♦  Nothing  short  of  a  direct  comparison  of  a  good  series  of  authentic  European 
and  American  specimens  can  decidedly  settle  the  exact  relations  of  this  shell  to  P, 
8vbaculeatU8^  as  well  as  to  several  forms  described  by  Professor  Hall  under  the  names 
P.  pyxidatus^  P.  Shumardianm,  P.  spinulocostatus,  P.  concentricus,  etc.  Professor  Hall 
seems  now  to  think  these  probably  all  varieties  of  the  one  species  P.  Shumardianus ; 
while  European  authorities  most  generally  refer  all  such  shells  to  P.  subactileatua. 


38  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

RHYNCHONELLID^. 

?  Genus  ATRYPA,  Dalman. 

Atrypa  reticularis,  Linnseas  (sp.). 

Plate  1,  figs.  7  and  7  a  ;  and  Plate  3,  figs.  6  ?  and  6  a. 

Anomites  reticularis^  Linnaeus  (1767),  Syst.  Nat,  XII,  ed.,    1152. — Wahlenb.   (1821), 

Nov.  Act.  Soc.  Upsal.,  YIII,  65. 
Terebratula  pectinata,  Brugui^re  (1789),  Hist.  Nat.  Vers.  Test.  Eacyc.  M^th.,  242,  fig.  4. 
TerebratuUtes  priscus^  Schlot.  (1820),  Petref.,  262 ;  Nacht.,  pi.  xvii,  fig.  2,  and  pi.  xx, 

fig.  4. 
TerebratuUtes  explanatus,  Schlot.  (1820),  Nacht.,  pi.  xviii,  fig.  2. 
Terebratula  affinis,  Sowerby  (1822),  Min.  Conch.,  IV,  324,  fig.  2. 
Atrypa  reticularis^  Dalman  (1827),  Vet.  Akad.  Verhandl.,  127,  pi.  iv,  fig.* 

Of  this  widely-distributed  form,  there  are  numerous  specimens  in  the 
collection  from  several  localities,  presenting  all  the  characters  of  the  species, 
with  the  limits  usually  assigned  it.  As  it  is  too  well  known  to  require  a 
detailed  description,  I  would  merely  remark  that  the  specimens  from  Pinon 
Station  are  larger  and  more  robust  than  any  of  the  others  from  the  other 
localities,  and  closely  resemble,  not  only  in  form  and  surface-markings,  but  in 
their  state  of  preservation  (being  silicified),  the  numerous  examples  found 
in  the  Upper  Helderberg  limestones  near  Louisville,  Kentucky.  They  were 
also  found  associated  with  a  Spirifer,  very  closely  allied  to  one  of  the  Louis- 
ville species  of  that  horizo«. 

The  other  specimens,  from  the  silver-bearing,  dark- colored  limestone  at 
Treasure  Hill,  White  Pine  District,  and  other  localities,  are  all  of  smaller 
size,  and  not  silicified.  Some  of  these  are  finely  striated,  as  represented  by 
our  fig.  6  a  of  plate  3,  while  others  have  the  surface  more  coarsely  striated 
or  costated,  as  represented  by  fig.  6  of  the  same  plate,  and  thus  more  nearly 
approach  A.  aspera,  Schlotheim  (sp.),  to  which  possibly  they  might  with 
more  propriety  be  referred.f     As  there  are,  however,  among  the  specimens 

♦  For  the  long  list  of  additional  synonyms  of  this  species,  as  most  generally 
understood,  see  Mr.  Davidson^s  Monograph  British  Silurian  Brachiopoda,  130. 

+  Some  reliable  authorities  believe  that,  even  after  separating  A,  aspera  and  some 
other  forms  often  included  as  varieties,  this  name  is  made  to  include  several  dis- 
tinct species.  Never  having  made  an  especial  study  of  the  group,  however,  I  have 
here  included  provisionally  a  few  forms  that  a  strict  classification  might  possibly 
require  should  be  separated  under  some  of  the  published  names. 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  39 

intermediate  gradations  in  this  character,  I  have  preferred  to  regard  those 
showing  this  diflference  as  naore  probably  mere  varieties  of  the  variable 
species  reticularis.  The  question  in  regard  to  the  specific  identity  or  differ- 
ence of  such  shells  is  one  respecting  which  authors  may  well  differ  without 
quarreling. 

Locality  and  position, — Pinon  Station,  Treasure  Hill,  White  Pine  Dis- 
trict; Roberts's  Creek ;  and  near  Warm  Springs,  Upper  Humboldt  Range, 
Nevada.  Colonel  Simpson  also  brought  specimens,  including  both  the  finely 
and  more  coarsely  costated  varieties,  from  latitude  39^  30'  N.,  longitude 

115^  26'  W 

SPIRIFERIDiE. 

Genus  SPIRIFER,  Sowerby. 
Spirif-EH  Utahensis,  Meek. 

Plate  3,  figs.  1,  1  a,  1 5,  1  c,  1  d,  1  e. 

Spirifera  Norwood^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  308  (not  & 

Norwood^  Hall). 
Spirifera  Utahensis,  Meek  (1860),  note  appended  to  extra  copies  of  above-cited  paper. 
Spirifera  Utahensis,  Meek  (1876)  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin 

of  Utah,  345,  pi.  1,  figs.  4  a,  h,  c. 

Shell  rather  -small,  very  inequi valve,  distinctly  convex,  or  sometimes 
sabpyramidal,  with  (as  seen  from  above  or  below)  its  general  outline  form- 
ing rather  more  than  a  semicircle ;  length  about  one-half  to  two-thirds  the 
greatest  breadth ;  lateral  extremities  somewhat  obtusely  angular ;  anterior 
and  antero-lateral  margins  forming  together  about  a  semicircular  outline. 
Ventral  valve  elevated  at  the  umbo,  and  sloping  off  abruptly  to  the  front 
and  lateral  margins,  with  usually  a  slightly  convex  outline,  especially  on  the 
anterior  slope,  sometimes  with  one  of  the  lateral  slopes  concave  in  outline 
posteriorly;  mesial  sinus  shallow,  rather  narrow,  rounded  within,  and 
extended  to  the  apex  of  the  beak ;  beak  elevated,  abruptly  pointed,  and 
slightly  arched ;  area  high,  or  with  height  equaling  about  half  its  breadth, 
triangular,  and  continued  to  the  extremities  of  the  hinge,  with  well-defined 
or  angular,  lateral  slopes,  ranging  at  about  right  angles  to  the  plane  of  the 
shell,  and  usually  a  little  arched;  foramen  proportionally  very  narrow, 
or  sometimes  twice  as  high  as  wide.     Dorsal  valve  much  depressed,  or  but 


4:0  PAL^ONTOLOQY^ 

moderately  and  evenly  convex ;  beak  very  small,  or  little  distinct  from  the 
cardinal  margin,  and  somewhat  incurved ;  area  merely  linear ;  mesial  fold 
much  depressed,  being  scarcely  so  defined  as  to  correspond  to  the  sinus  of 
the  other  valve  in  size,  and  becoming  nearly  or  quite  obsolete  before  reach- 
ing the  beak.  Surface  of  each  valve  marked  by  about  thirty  to  forty  small, 
generally  simple,  radiating  costae,  or  striae,  about  eight  to  ten  of  which 
occupy  the  mesial  sinus,  and  about  as  many  the  mesial  fold,  where  they 
sometimes  bifurcate. 

Length  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  measuring  from  the  umbo  of  the 
ventral  valve  to  the  front,  0.57  inch ;  from  the  umbo  of  dorsal  valve  to 
the  front,  0.49  inch;  convexity  of  the  two  valves,  0.40  inch;  breadth  of 
a  large  specimen,  0.90  inch ;  length  of  ventral  valve  from  beak  to  front, 
0.77  inch;  height  of  area,  0.38  inch. 

This  species  is  related  to  S.  Archiaci  of  Murchison,  from  the  Upper 
Devonian  rocks  of  Russia,  but  diflfers  in  having  the  dorsal  valve  less  convex 
and  its  mesial  fold  more  depressed,  while  the  foramen  of  its  ventral  valve 
is  proportionally  much  narrower  in  all  of  our  specimens.  I  have  likewise 
been  unable  to  see  any  traces  of  the  fine  surface-granulations  observed  on 
that  species,  though  the  specimens  are  scarcely  in  a  condition  to  have  pre- 
served such  fine  surface-markings,  if  they  ever  existed.  In  general  form, 
as  well  as  in  its  high,  large  area,  it  has  more  the  aspect  of  a  Gyrtia  or 
Gyrtina  than  of  a  Trigonotreta ;  but  as  none  of  the  specimens  show  any 
indications  of  the  foramen  being  closed  by  a  false  deltidium,  or  of  a  punctate 
structure,  I  have  preferred  to  refer  it  provisionally  to  the  typical  section 
of  the  genus  Spirifer, 

Professor  Hall  and  Mr.  Whitfield  have  described,  in  the  Twenty-third 
Report  of  the  Regents  on  the  New  York  State  Cabinet,  Natural  History, 
238,  pi.  11,  figs.  21-24,  a  species  very  similar  to  this,  from  the  Hamilton 
Group  of  Iowa.  Their  figures  represent  their  shell  as  having  a  somewhat 
higher  and  slightly  less  arch  area,  as  well  as  a  proportionally  wider  foramen; 
but,  in  nearly  every  other  character,  it  certainly  agi'ees  very  closely  with  the 
species  here  described. 

Locality  and  i^o^i^^m— Longitude  115^  26'  W. ;  latitude  39^  30'  N., 
from  a  dark  limestone  of  Devonian  age;    Colonel   Simpson's  collection. 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  41 

Mr.  Hague  also  found  it  with  other  Devonian  fossils,  at  Fossil  Hill,  White 
Pine  District,  Nevada,  in  the  silver-bearing  Devonian  beds;  the  formation 
being  the  same  at  these  two  localities. 

Spieifer  Bngelmanni,  Meek. 

Plate  3,  figs.  3,  3  a,  3  6,  3  c  (and  3  e?,  3  e,  3/f ). 

SpiHfera  Engelmanni,  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  308. 
8pirifer  Engelmann%  Meek  (1876),  Col.  Simpson's  Eeport  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin 
of  Utah,  346,  pi.  1,  figs.  1  a,  &,  c  (not  8.  Ungelmanni,  Meek  and  Worthen). 

Shell  rather  small,  somewhat  gibbous,  subsemicircular,  or  approach- 
ing subtrigonal  in  general  form,  with- the  greatest  breadth  on  the  hinge-line ; 
lateral  extremities  rather  acutely  angular;  anterior  lateral  margins  with 
outline  usually  straightened  and  converging  rapidly  from  the  lateral  extrem- 
ities to  the  middle  of  the  front.  Ventral  valve  more  convex  than  the  other, 
its  greatest  prominence  being  at  or  near  the  beak,  which  is  abruptly  pointed 
and  more  or  less  incurved;  area  generally  rather  high,  well  defined,  and 
standing  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  plane  of  the  valves,  but  always  arcja- 
ing  backward  with  the  beak;  foramen  higher  than  wide;  mesial  sinus  nar- 
row and  shallow,  but  extending  to  the  apex  of  the  beak,  smoothly  rounded 
within,  and  bounded  on  each  side  by  a.  plication  that  is  a  little  more  px-om- 
inent  than  any  of  the  others ;  lateral  slopes  each  occupied  by  about  seven 
to  ten  simple  costae.  Dorsal  valve  moderately  convex,  the  greatest  con- 
vexity being  near  the  middle ;  mesial  fold  narrow,  flattened,  or  more  or  less 
rounded,  and,  like  the  sinus  of  the  other  valve,  without  costse  or  plications ; 
lateral  slopes  with  costse  as  in  the  other  valve;  beak  scarcely  distinct  from 
the  cardinal  margin.  Fine  surface-markings  and  internal  characters 
unknown.  Figs.  3,  3  a,  3  &,  and  3c  represent  the  type,  while  the  others  are 
only  referred  doubtfully  to  this  species. 

Length,  0.57  inch;  breadth,  about  0.82  inch;  convexity,  about  0.50  inch. 

Specimens  of  this  species  with  an  elevated  beak  and  area  have  much 
the  general  appearance  of  the  last,  and,  when  not  well  preserved,  might  be 
confounded  with  it  by  a  careless  observer.  The  two  species,  however,  are 
very  distinct,  and  may  be  readily  separated  by  the  larger  eostse  of  the  form 
under  consideration,  which  also  differs  in  never  having  any  costse  occupy- 
ing the  mesial  fold  and  sinus. 


42  PALEONTOLOGY. 

In  naming  a  Spirifer  after  my  friend  Henry  Engelmann,  esq.,  in  the 
Illinois  Greological  Report  (vol.  3,  p.  398),  I  had  forgotten  that  the 
above-named  species  had  been  previously  dedicated  to  the  same  gentleman. 
This  renders  it  necessary  to  find  another  name  for  the  Illinois  species.  I 
would  therefore  propose  to  designate  it  as  Spirifer  Wortheni, 

Locality  and  position, — Same  as  last. 

Spirifer  (Trigonotreta)  argentarius,  Meek. 

Plate  3y  figs.  4,  4  a,  and  4  6. 

Shell  rather  small,  moderately  convex,  wider  than  long,  and  having  a 
general  subsemicircular  or  subtrigonal  outline,  with  the  greatest  breadth  on 
the  hinge-line;  lateral  extremities  acutely  angular;  valves  nearly  equally 
convex.  Ventral  valve  with  the  greatest  convexity  between  the  middle 
and  the  umbo;  beak  strongly  incurved;  area  rather  low,  with  nearly  par- 
allel sides  near  the  break,  but  somewhat  abruptly  narrowed  at  the  lateral 
extremities,  though  continued  the  entire  length  of  the  hinge;  foramen  wider 
than  high;  mesial  sinus  shallow  and  narrow,  but  well  defined  by  the  mar- 
ginal rib  on  each  side  extending  quite  to  the  beak,  and  without  costse; 
lateral  slopes  each  occupied  by  from  twelve  to  fourteen  simple  radiating 
costse,  which  diminish  very  gradually  in  size  toward  the  lateral  extremities. 
Dorsal  valve  most  convex  near  the  middle;  beak  rather  distinctly  incvirved; 
mesial  fold  corresponding  in  size  to  the  sinus  of  the  other  valve,  being 
rather  low,  and  flattened  on  top  along  its  whole  length,  with  a  more  or  less 
defined  furrow  along  its  middle ;  lateral  slopes  costate,  as  in  the  other  valve. 
Surface  of  both  valves  marked  with  very  fine,  regular,  undulating  lines  of 
growth,  most  distinct  between  the  costse. 

Length,  0.65  inch;  breadth,  0.80  inch;  convexity,  0.44  inch. 

It  is  hardly  possible  that  this  can  be  a  variety  of  the  last;  at  least,  with 
the  means  of  comparison  now  available,  it  certainly  seems  to  be  quite  dis- 
tinct. It  is  true  I  have  only  two  specimens  of  this  form,  but  of  the  other 
we  have  a  suflSicient  number  of  individuals,  all  agreeing  with  each  other, 
and  differing  from  this  to  such  an  extent  as  to  render  it  very  improbable 
that  there  may  be  connecting  forms.  On  comparison,  this  species  will  be 
seen  to  differ  very  decidedly  in  having  a  mtich  narrower  (lower)  and  more 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES,  43 

arcuate  area,  with  nearly  parallel  margins.     The  beak  of  its  ventral  valve 

is  also  distinctly  more  incurved,  as  is  that  of  its  dorsal  valve.     It  is  likewise 

more  nearly  equivalve,  has  rather  smaller  and  more  numerous  costae,  while 

its  mesial  fold  differs  in  being  depressed  and  furrowed  along  its  top,  instead 

of  rounded. 

Locality  and  position. — Treasure   Hill,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada; 

from  the  dark  Devonian  limestone  in  which  the  White  Pine  Silver  Mines 

occur. 

Spibifer  (Trigonotreta.)  strigosus,  Meek. 

Plate3,  figs.  5,  5  a,  5  5. 

Spirt/era  macra,  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  309  (not  Hall,  1856). 
Spirifera  strigosa,  Meek  (1860),  to  extra  copies  of  the  above  cited  paper. 
Spirifer  strigosus^  Meek  (1876),  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin 
of  Utah,  347.,  pi.  1,  figs.  5,  a,  6,  o,  d^.* 

Shell  rather  under  medium  size,  moderately  convex,  subtrigonal,  or 
approaching  subsemicircular,  with  the  greatest  breadth  on  the  hinge-line; 
lateral  extremities  generally  more  or  less  acutely  angular;  lateral  margins 
converging  to  the  prominent,  subangular  middle  of  the  front,  with  a  some- 
what straightened  or  convex  outline.  Dorsal  valve  convex  in  the  middle, 
and  compressed  toward  the  lateral  extremities;  mesial  fold  narrow,  rather 
prominent,  and  sometimes  subangular  near  the  front,  continued  to  the  beak. 
•  Ventral  valve  scarcely  more  convex  than  the  dorsal,  most  gibbous  in  the 
umbonal  region,  with  convex  lateral  slopes;  beak  moderately  prominent, 
and  distinctly  incurved;  area  rather  narrow,  well  defined,  and  narrow- 
ing ofi"  laterally,  so  as  not  quite  to  reach  the  extremities  of  the  hinge, 
arched,  and  directed  obliquely  backward  with  the  beak,  rather  distinctly 
striated  vertically;  mesial  sinus  corresponding  in  size  to  the  fold  of  the  other 
valve,  the  margins  of  both  being  usually  a  little  produced  in  front,  so  as  to 
impart  an  angularity  to  the  outline  of  the  middle  of  the  anterior  margin. 
Surface  of  each  valve  ornamented  with  from  twenty  to  about  twenty-six 
radiating  costse  (counting  at  the  free  margins),  some  of  which  are  simple, 
while  others  bifurcate.  Of  these  costae,  about  six  or  seven  usually  occupy 
the  mesial  fold  and  sinus.     Two  or  three  of  those  within  each  margin  of 

*  I  add  references  to  Oapt.  Simpson's  report  here,  in  reading  the  proofs,  that  report 
having  been  published  since  the  revision  of  this. 


44  PALJSONTOLOGY. 

the  sinus  usually  coalesce  with  the  two  marginal  ones,  which  also  generally 
each  give  oflF  a  lateral  rib  on  the  outer  side;  costee  of  the  mesial  fold  more 
or  less  bifurcating,  while  those  of  the  lateral  slopes  of  both  valves  are  more 
frequently  simple,  but  jsometimes  divided.  (Finer  surface-markings  un- 
known.) 

Length,  0.63  inch;  breadth,  1.18  inch;  convexity,  0.57  inch. 

The  type-specimens  of  this  species  were  brought  by  Colonel  Simpson's 
party,  along  with  well-marked  Devonian  fossils,  from  near  White  Pine,  Ne- 
vada. They  evidently  came  from  a  dark,  argillaceous  limestone,  exactly  like 
that  from  which  the  Devonian  types  were  obtained;  yet  the  species  so  nearly 
resembles  a  form  from  a  similar  rock  of  the  Carboniferous  series  farther 
eastward,  that  I  have  sometimes  feared  that  possibly  these  specimens  might 
have  been  found  in  the  latter,  and  accidentally  packed  up  along  with  the 
Devonian  specimens.  This  suggestion  receives  at  least  some  support  from 
the  fact  that  no  such  shell  occurs  among  Mr.  King's  or  any  other  collec- 
tions I  have  yet  seen  from  any  of  the  Devonian  rocks  of  the  Far  West. 
The  Carboniferous  shell  alluded  to  above,  resembling  this  species,  I  have 
been  inclined  to  identify  with  S.  Rocky-montana,  of  Marcou;  but  still  it  seems 
to  shade  off  into  forms  even  more  nearly  like  S,  opimuSy  such  as  that  repre- 
sented by  fig.  6  on  our  plate  9. 

On  the  other  hand,  however,  there  certainly  are  Devonian  species  very 
closely  resembling  that  here  under  consideration;  such,  for  instance,  as 
8.  Orestes  of  Hall  and  Whitfield,  described  from  Devonian  rocks  in  Iowa, 
regarded  by  those  authors  as  most  probably  of  the  age  of  the  Chemung 
Group  of  the  New  York  series.*  This  Iowa  shell  so  nearly  resembles  ours, 
especially  when  ventral  views  are  compared,  that  I  was  at  first  inclined  to 
believe  them  identical;  but,  on  comparing  the  opposite  view  and  profile,  it  will 
be  seen  that  8.  Orestes  has  its  ventral  beak  more  prominent  and  less  incurved, 
and  the  cardinal  area  higher,  with  a  broader  fissure.  Still  shells  much  more 
unlike  are  regarded  by  high  European  authorities  as  being  mere  varieties  of 
one  species  in  some  cases. 

Locality  and  position. — Brought  in  along  with  Devonian  fossils  from  a 

♦  For  figure  and  description  of  S.  Oreatesi,  see  23d  Eeport  of  the  Eegents  of  the 
Univ.  K.  Y.  on  the  State  Oab.  N.  H.,  237,  pL  11,  figs.  16-20. 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  45 

locality  in  Nevada,  at  latitude  39^  32'  N.,  longitude  115^  36'  W.;  Colonel 
Simpson's  collection. 

Spirifer  (Trigonotreta)  PiNONENSis,  Meek. 

Plate  1,  fig8.  9,  9  a,  9  6. 

Spirifer  (Trigoiiotrela)  Pinonensis^  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  60. 

Shell  attaining  about  a  medium  size,  somewhat  wider  than  long,  vary- 
ing from  trans versely-suboval  to  a  nearly  semicircular  general  outline, 
rather  gibbous  in  adult  examples ;  cardinal  margin  nearly  or  quite  equaling 
the  greatest  breadth,  and  terminating  in  rectangular  or  rather  more  obtuse 
extremities;  lateral  margins  rounding  to  the  front,  which  is  sometimes 
rounded,  sometimes  slightly  sinuous,  or  in  other  examples  more  prominent 
and  subangular  in  the  middle.  Ventral  valve  generally  rather  more  gib- 
bous than  the  other,  its  greatest  convexity  being  in  the  umbonal  region, 
from  which  it  rounds  off  evenly  toward  the  front  and  lateral  margins  as 
well  as  to  the  beak,  which  projects  beyond  that  of  the  other  valve,  and  is 
rather  distinctly  incurved;  cardinal  area  of  moderate  height,  narrowed  to 
the  lateral  extremities,  more  or  less  inclined  backward,  and  strongly  arched 
with  the  beak;  foramen  having  nearly  the  form  of  an  equilateral  triangle,  and 
provided  with  slightly-raised,  sharp,  lateral  margins;  mesial  sinus  shallow, 
rounded,  smooth,  and  of  moderate  breadth,  narrowed  regularly,  and  well 
defined  to  the  apex  of  the  beak.  Dorsal  valve  generally  more  than  semi- 
circular, most  convex  in  the  central  and  anterior  regions ;  beak  projecting 
httle  beyond  the  cardinal  margin,  and  with  the  narrow  area  incurved;  mesial 
ridge  depressed,  smooth,  and  faintly  furrowed  along  the  middle,  correspond- 
ing in  outhne  to  the  form  of  the  sinus  in  the  other  valve.  Surface  of  each 
valve  ornamented  by  from  eleven  to  about  fourteen  simple,  regular, 
rounded,  radiating  plications  on  each  side  of  the  mesial  fold  and  sinus,  and 
also  showing,  under  a  magnifier,  minute,  regular,  crowded,  radiating  striae, 
crossed  near  the  front  by  stronger  undiilating  lines  of  growth. 

Length  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  0.92  inch;  breadth  of  the  same, 
1.20  inches;  convexity,  0.72  inch. 

This  species  seems  to  be  more  nearly  related  to  S.  Owen%  Hall,  from  the 
Upper  Helderberg  rocks  at  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio,  than  to  any  other  known 


46  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

to  me.  On  comparison,  however,  with  good  specimens  of  that  shell,  from 
the  original  locality,  it  is  found  to  differ  in  having  a  narrower  area,  which, 
with  the  beak  of  its  ventral  valve,  is  constantly  more  arched.  Its  plications 
are  also  larger  and  proportionally  less  numerous.  There  are  in  the  collec- 
tion large  numbers  of  this  shell  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  showing  the 
characters  mentioned  to  be  quite  constant. 

Locality  and  position,— ThxoQ  miles  south  of  Pinon  Pass,  Pinon  Range, 
Nevada;  Devonian,  probably  of  the  age  of  the  Upper  Helderberg  limestones 
of  New  York. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

ANATINID^. 

Genus  EDMONDIA,  De  Koninck.  . 

Bdmondia!  Pif^ONENSis,  Meek. 
Plate  1,  figs.  8,  8  a. 

Shell  transversely-ovate,  wider  anteriorly  than  behind,  rather  gibbous 
in  adult  examples,  most  convex  in  the  central  and  anterior  central  regions ; 
anterior  margin  rounded  from  below  the  beaks  into  the  base ;  posterior  end 
narrow,  most  projecting  near  the  base,  where  it  seems  to  be  very  narrowly 
rounded  in  outline ;  dorsal  border  slightly  highest  a  little  behind  the  beaks, 
from  near  which  point  it  slopes  off  more  or  less  rapidly,  with  a  convex  out- 
line, to  the  posterior  basal  extremity ;  beaks  rather  depressed,  moderately 
convex,  and  placed  about  one-fourth  the  entire  length  of  the  valves  behind 
the  anterior  margin ;  anterior  muscular  impressions  shallow,  elongate-sub- 
ovate,  and  placed  near  the  margin,  with  its  longer  axis  ranging  nearly 
vertically ;  posterior  so  faintly  marked  as  not  to  be  apparent  on  internal 
casts.  Surface  of  casts  smooth,  or  only  showing  obscure  traces  of  con- 
centric marks  of  growth,  with  a  shallow,  narrow  furrow,  and  some  appear- 
ances of  an  obscure  ridge,  extending  for  a  short  distance  obliquely  upward 
and  forward  from  near  the  posterior  basal  margin  toward  the  umbones. 
Hinge  unknown. 

Length,  1.33  inches ;  height,  0.95  inch ;  convexity,  about  0.60  inch. 

At  the  same  time  that  this  species  is  here  referred  provisionally  to  the 


DBVOKIAN  SPECIES.  47 

genus  Edmondia,  I  am  by  no  means  s\ire  that  I  would  not  be  nearer  correct 
to  call  it  Palceoneilq  Pinonensis^  since  it  has  much  the  general  appearance, 
and  some  indications  of  the  oblique  posterior  basal  sulcus,  or  slight  con- 
cavity, of  some  species  of  the  latter  genus.  Still,  as  it  shows  no  traces 
of  hinge-crenulations  in  any  of  the  casts  contained  in  the  collection,  while 
some  of  them  seem  to  show  some  appearance  of  an  impression  near  the 
hinge  such  as  might  have  been  made  by  a  thin  cartilage-process  like  that 
seen  in  each  valve  of  Edmondia,  I  have  concluded  to  place  it,  for  the  present, 
doubtfully  in  that  genus.  It  may  be  found,  however,  when  its  generic 
characters  can  be  made  out  from  better  specimens,  to  belong  to  an  unde- 
scribed  genus. 

Locality  and  position. — Three  miles  south  of  Piiion  Pass,  Pinon  Range, 
Central  Nevada;  from  a  limestone  Q>oniw[i\w^  Atry pa  reticularis ^  Spirifer 
Finonensis,  a  small  Favosites,  and  an  Avicula  or  Fterinea^  and  believed  to 
belong  to  the  Lower  Devonian. 

CEPHALOPODA. 

ORTHOOERATITID^. 

Genus  ORTHOCERAS,  Auct. 
Orthoceras  Kingii,  Meek. 

Plate  2,  fig.  8. 

Shell  attaining  a  rather  large  size,  conical  in  general  form,  rather 
rapidly  tapering;  section  circular  or  a  little  oval;  septa  numerous  and 
closely  arranged,  the  distance  between  being  uniform,  or  very  nearly  so, 
without  regard  to  the  increase  in  the  size  of  the  shell  from  the  smaller  to 
the  larger  end ;  all  deeply  concave.     (Surface  and  siphuncle  unknown.) 

Entire  length  unknown ;  length  of  a  specimen  imperfect  at  both  ends 
and  septate  throughout,  5.25  inches ;  greatest  diameter  of  same  at  the  larger 
end,  about  3.20  inches;  of  smaller  end,  2  inches;  distance  between  the 
septa  throughout,  0.23  inch. 

The  specimen  of  this  species  is  quite  imperfect ;  but  it  seems  desirable 
to  call  attention  to  it  as  one  of  the  fossils  characterizing  the  silver-bearing 
rocks  of  the  White  Pine  District.     It  may  be  compared  with  such  forms  as 


48  PALEONTOLOGY 

0.  prosperum  and  0.  discors  of  Bairande,  though  it  tapers  more  gradually 
than  either  of  these. 

The  specific  name  is  given  in  honor  of  Clarence  King,  esq.,  the  geolo- 
gist in  charge  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey,  by  which  the  fossils 
here  described  were  discovered. 

Orthoceras  (undt.  sp.). 

Plate  2,  fig.  9. 

This  is  a  mere  fragment,  consisting  of  a  cast  of  most  of  the  non- 
septate  part  of  the  shell.  It  shows  scarcely  any  taper  from  the  anterior  to 
the  posterior  end,  and  presents  a  slightly  oval  section ;  while  its  rounded 
posterior  end  shows  that  the  septa  were  rather  deeply  concave,  and  the 
siphuncle  nearly  or  quite  central.     If  new,  it  may  be  called  0,  parallelum. 

Locality  and  position, — Babylon  Hill,  White  Pine  Mining  District, 
Nevada;  Devonian. 

ARTICULATA. 

CRUSTACEA. 

PHAOOPSID^. 

Genus  DALMANITES,  Auct. 

Dalmahites  (undt.  sp.). 

Plate  1,  figs.  11  and  11  a. 

Of  this  Trilobite,  there  are,  in  the  collection,  only  a  few  imperfect 
moulds  and  casts  of  the  pygidium.  These  show  this  part  to  have  been 
subtrigonal  in  general  form,  with  the  posterior  extremity  rather  acutely 
pointed,  and  extended,  in  some  cases,  even  farther  back  than  *  indicated  by 
the  dotted  lines  in  fig.  11a.  It  seems  to  be  rather  depressed,  with  the 
mesial  lobe  narrower  than  the  lateral,  and  provided  with  about  fifteen  seg- 
ments, with  space  enough  at  the  posterior  end  for  two  or  three  more.  The 
lateral  lobes  have  each  about  thirteen  segments,  which  extend  out  nearly 
at  right  angles  from  the  mesial  lobe  anteriorly  (excepting  at  their  curved 
outer  ends),  and  become  gradually  more  oblique  posteriorly.  They  extend 
nearly  to  the  border,  and  only  show  the  faintest  traces  of  a  mesial  linear 


DEVONIAN  SPECIES.  49 

furrow  along  some  of  the  anterior  ones.  The  surface  is  nearly  smooth,  or 
only  has  a  few  very  small  granules  near  the  lateral  margins. 

I  place  this  species  along  with  the  Devonian  fossils  only  because  it 
came  from  the  same  locality  (and  the  specimens  are  in  the  same  kind  of 
matrix)  as  that  from  which  the  other  forms,  apparently  of  Devonian  age, 
figured  on  the  same  plate,  were  obtained.  In  some  of  its  characters,  so  far 
as  known,  it  resembles  Upper  Silurian  forms  quite  as  much  as,  or  even  more 
than,  Devonian ;  and,  as  Mr.  King  infomis  me  that  it  came  from  the  lowest 
bed  at  the  locality,  it  may  possibly  belong  to  the  Upper  Silurian. 

Locality, — Three  miles  south  of  Pinon  Pass,  Pition  Range,  Nevada. 

PROETID^. 

Genus  PROETUS,   Steininger. 
Peoetus  (Photon)  DENTicirLATUS,  Meek. 

Plate  1,  figs.  10, 10  fl,  and  10  6. 

I  have  only  seen  fragments  of  this  species,  consisting  of  the  pygidium, 
the  glabella,  and  detached  thoracic  segments.  As  these  parts  have  not  been 
seen  united,  of  course  it  is  possible  that  they  may  belong  to  more  than  one 
type;  and,  to  prevent  confusion,  if  this  should  be  found  to  be  the  case, 
the  pygidium,  represented  by  fig.  10  a,  is  regarded  as  belonging  to  the 
typical  form  of  the  species.  From  the  manner  in  which  these  different 
parts  occur  associated  together,  however,  it  is  quite  probable  that  they  all 
belong  to  the  same  species. 

The  pygidium  is  transversely  subeUiptic,  and  is  nearly  twice  as  wide 
as  long,  with  a  moderate  convexity.  Its  mesial  lobe  is  about  as  wide  ante- 
riorly as  each  lateral  lobe  (exclusive  of  their  lateral  spine-like  projec- 
tions), and  more  prominent  than  the  latter,  with  three  or  four  segments. 
The  lateral  lobes  are  rather  depressed,  and  show  about  four  segments  each ; 
these  segments  are  not  well  defined,  but  have  each  a  distinct  mesial  furrow, 
extisnding  out  to  the  margin,  where  each  segment  terminates  in  a  short 
spine,  directed  backward;  while  there  are  two  other  smaller  spine-like 
projections  just  behind  the  posterior  end  of  the  mesial  lobe ;  thus  making 
ten  of  these  projecting  points  to  the  whole  of  the  free  posterior  and  lateral 
4p  R 


50  PALEONTOLOGY. 

margins.  The  surface  shows  a  finely  granular  appearance  under  a  mag- 
nifier. 

The  thoracic  segments  seen  lying  in  the  same  fragment  of  rock  indi- 
cate a  rather  distinct  convexity  for  the  thorax,  with  a  rounded,  moderately 
prominent,  mesial  lobe,  about  two-thirds  as  wide  as  lie  lateral  lobes  (see 
fig.  10  6  of  plate  1). 

The  glabella  (fig.  10)  found  with  the  other  specimens  has  a  some- 
what oblong  outline,  being  longer  than  wide,  with  nearly  parallel  sides, 
and  a  more  or  less  rounded  anterior  end ;  it  shows  two  very  faint  lateral 
furrows  on  each  side,  and  a  strong  neck-furrow  passing  entirely  across 
behind.  It  retains  the  palpebral  lobes  on  each  side,  and  these  indicate 
rather  large  eyes,  of  lunate  form,  and  rather  more  than  half  as  long  as  the 
glabella,  exclusive  of  the  neck-segment.  They  seem  to  have  been  located 
rather  near  the  glabella  on  each  side,  and  less  than  their  own  length  in 
advance  of  the  posterior  margin  of  the  cheeks.  The  surface  appears  to  be 
rather  more  coarsely  granular  than  that  of  the  pygidium. 

I  know  of  no  very  closely  allied  species. 

Locality  and  position. — The  typical  and  only  known  specimens  of  this 
species  were  brought  by  Colonel  Simpson  from  the  west  side  of  Steptoe 
Valley,  Nevada ;  and,  although  not  found  associated  with  other  fossils,  they 
are  believed  to  belong  to  the  Devonian  epoch. 


CARBONIFEROUS    SPECIES. 

RADIATA. 

POLYPL 

FAVOSITIDiE. 

Genus  SYRINGOPORA,  Goldfuss. 
Syringopoba  (undt.  sp.). 

Plate  6,  figs.  2,  2  a. 

Corallites  nearly  parallel  or  moderately  radiating,  regularly  arranged 
at  distances  of  about  once  to  nearly  twice  their  own  diameter  apart,  gener- 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  51 

ally  nearly  straight  or  somewhat  flexuous;  connecting  tubes  of  about  half 
the  diameter  of  the  corallites,  arranged  in  vertical  rows,  but  usually  alter- 
nating on  opposite  sides,  separated  by  spaces  varying  from  about  once  to 
twice  the  diameter  of  the  corallites;  epitheca  thick  and  showing  small 
wrinkles  of  growth ;  septa  unknown ;  infundibuliform  tabulae,  as  seen  in 
vertical  sections,  closely  and  regularly  arranged. 

Length  of  corallites  unknown ;  diameter  of  same,  0.08  inch,  separated 
from  each  other  by  spaces  varying  from  0.08  to  0.15  inch. 

This  species  is  related  to  S.  geniculata^  Phillips,  and  S.  ramulosa  and 
reticulata  of  Goldfuss,  and  may  be  a  variety  of  one  of  these  forms.  After 
repeated  very  careful  comparisons,  however,  with  the  published  figures  and 
descriptions  of  those  species,  I  am  left  in  doubt  in  regard  to  the  propriety  of 
referring  it  to  either  of  them.  Its  corallites  are  slightly  more  slender  than 
in  S.  geniculataj  as  represented  by  fig.  2,  plate  46,  of  Edwards  and  Haime's 
Monograph  of  the  British  Fossil  Corals,  and  decidedly  less  closely  crowded 
together  than  represented  by  their  fig.  2  a  of  the  same  plate.  They  agree 
almost  exactly  in  size,  however,  with  their  fig.  4  of  the  plate  cited,  which 
they  think  probably  represents  a  variety  of  S,  geniculata.  Still  the  connect- 
ing tubes  are  rather  more  closely  arranged  than  in  either  of  these  figures, 
and  the  corallites  are  rather  more  widely  separated.  In  the  distances  be- 
tween its  corallites,  it  agrees  more  nearly  with  8.  ramtdosa ;  but  its  corallites 
are  a  size  smaller,  and  generally  less  flexuous.  In  the  arrangement  and 
general  appearance  of  its  tabulae,  as  seen  in  vertical  sections,  it  closely 
resembles  Goldfuss'  figure,  but  much  less  nearly  that  published  by  Edwards 
and  Haime. 

Compared  with  S.  reticulata,  its  corallites  are  found  to  be  a  size  larger, 
less  closely  arranged,  and  a  little  more  flexuous,  with  more  closely  approx- 
imated connecting  tubes.  I  suspect  that  it  will  be  found  to  be  a  new  spe- 
cies, or  a  marked  variety  of  one  of  the  above-mentioned  forms,  in  either  of 
which  cases  it  might  be  called  S.  occidentali^ 

Locality  and  position. — Southwest  of  Bald  Mountain,  Uinta  Range,  and 
at  Morgan  Peak,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah;  in  a  dark  Carboniferous  limestone. 


52  PALyEONTOLOG  Y. 

CYATHOPHYLLIDJE. 

Genus  ZAPHRENTIS,  Rafinesque  and  Clifford. 
Zapheentis  excentrica,  Meek. 

Plate  4,  figs.  l,la,lh,lc,ld. 

Corallum  obliquely  subturbinate,  moderately  curved,  very  rapidly  ex- 
panding. Calico  apparently  shallow,  nearly  circular,  and  (at  least  in  the 
type-specimen)  remarkably  eccentric  on  the  dorsal  or  convex  side. 
Septa  thin,  straight  or  somewhat  curved,  about  160  in  a  specimen  2.50 
inches  in  diameter ;  every  alternate  one  continued  some  distance  inward,  but 
not  reaching  the  middle,  there  being  a  rather  broad,  smooth,  flat  space  left  in 
the  bottom  of  the  calice ;  while  those  on  each  side  of  the  fossula  converge  so 
as  to  intersect  it  before  reaching  the  margin  of  the  smootli  central  area ; 
secondary  series  of  septa  extending  but  a  short  distance  inward  between  the 
others ;  all  of  both  series  on  the  dorsal  or  convex  side,  as  seen  in  weathered 
specimens,  divaricating  upward  from  a  line  along  the  middle  on  the  exterior 
surface.  Fossula  well  developed,  and  situated  on  the  dorsal  side,  but  ex- 
tending inward  to  the  margin  of  the  flattened  bottom  of  the  calice.  Outer 
vesicular  area,  as  seen  in  a  vertical  section  from  the  outer  to  the  inner  side 
of  the  curve  through  the  fossula,  comparatively  narrow  on  the  dorsal  side, 
but  very  wide  on  the  inner  side,  where  it  is  occupied  by  numerous  unequal, 
rather  small,  vesicles,  ranging  obliquely  outward  and  upward  within,  but 
curving  out  horizontally,  or  even  declining  a  little  toward  the  exterior; 
tabulae,  as  seen  in  the  vertical  section  mentioned  above,  very  thin,  closely 
arranged,  numerous,  and  passing  horizontally  across  from  the  wide  vesicular 
area,  on  the  inner  or  concave  side  of  the  curve,  nearly  to  the  dorsal  side,  thus 
occupying  more  than  half  the  entire  breadth  of  the  corallum;  somewhat  di- 
vided above,  but  becoming  more  simple,  straighter,  and  much  more  crowded 
farther  down. 

Length  of  entire  corallum,  measuring  along  the  outer  side  of  the  curve, 
about  5  inches ;  greatest  diameter,  2.50  to  3  inches. 

The  only  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  collection  are  so  much  weath- 
ered that  the  epitheca,  and  at  places  a  portion  of  the  outer  vesicles,  as  well  as 
the  margins  of  the  calice,  have  been  removed     Sections  of  it,  however, 


GABBOIJ^IFEROUS  SPECIES.  53 

both  horizontal  and  vertical,  show  its  internal  structure  very  clearly.  In 
its  short,  rapidly-elpanding  form,  as  well  as  in  the  divaricating  arrangement 
of  its  septa  along  the  middle  of  its  dorsal  side,  and  in  the  position  of  its  fos- 
sula,  it  nearly  resembles  the  form  I  have  referred  to  Z,  multilamella.  From 
that  species,  however,  it  is  readily  distinguished  by  having  its  septa  much 
more  closely  crowded,  and  particularly  by  having  a  very  wide  space  within 
occupied  by  nearly^  straight,  crowded  tabulse. 

I  know  of  no  described  species,  either  American  or  foreign,  with  which 
it  is  liable  to  be  confounded. 

Locality  and  position, — Boxelder  Peak,  Wasatcli  Range,  Utah ;  Carbon- 
iferous limestone. 

ZAPHBENTlSrMULTlLAMELLA,    Ilall  !. 
Plato  f>,  figs.  4,  4  a,  4  6. 
Zuphrentisf  multilamellar  Hall  (1852),  StaD8l)ury's  Ke[>oit  Explorations  of  Gieat  Salt 
Lake  Valley,  408,  pi.  i,  fi^.  2. 

Corallum  subturbinate,  slightly  curved,  rapidly  expanding;  cahce  cir- 
cular, of  moderate  depth;  septa  thin,  about  150  to  160  in  specimens  meas- 
uring one  and  three-fourths  to  two  inches  in  diameter,  alternately  longer 
and  shorter,  the  latter  extending  one-third  to  one-half  way  inward,  and  the 
longer  apparently  reaching  the  middle  of  the  caUce;  fossula  narrow,  deep, 
and  extending  inward  from  the  convex  side  of  the  corallum  nearly  to  the 
middle;  outer  vesicular  zone  apparently  less  than  half  the  semi-diameter; 
vesicles  somewhat  elongated,  and  arranged  obKquely  outwaid  and  upward; 
those  of  the  inner  area  foraied  by  the  complex  nature  of  the  tabulre, 
arranged  more  or  less  obliquely  upward  and  inward.  Epitheca  thin,  and 
usually  destroyed  on  weathered  specimens,  showing  obscure  septal  costse, 
with  small  wrinkles  and  low  undulations  of  growth;  costal,  and,  in 
weathered  specimens,  the  edges  of  the  septa,  divaricating  upward  at  acute 
angles  along  an  imaginary  line  up  the  middle  of  the  convex  side  coincident 

with  the  fossula. 

Length,  measuring  along  the  outer  side  of  the  curve,  about  3  inches; 

breadth,  2  inches. 

Professor  HalFs  figure  of  his  Z.  multilamella  shows  little  more  than  its 
general  form,  and  that  it  has  a  moderately  deep  calice;  while  his  description 


54  PALEONTOLOGY. 

is  so  brief  as  to  give  but  a  very  limited  idea  of  the  characters  of  the  coral. 
It  is  therefore  with  considerable  doubt  that  I  refer  the  form  under  consider- 
ation to  his  species.  The  fact,  however,  that  it  came  from  the  same  forma- 
tion and  the  same  region  of  country,  and  possesses  all  of  the  few  characters 
mentioned  in  his  description,  leads  me  to  think  that  it  may  be  the  same.  Still, 
in  order  to  give  those  who  may  not  have  access  to  Stansbury's  report  the 
means  of  making  the  comparison  for  themselves,  I  quote  below  Professor 
Hall's  description: 

*^ Coral  free,  turbinate,  somewhat  rapidly  expanding;  cells  deep; 
lamellse  numerous,  thin;  outer  portion  cellular." 

He  does  not  mention  the  number  of  septa  (lamellae);  but  from  his  state- 
ment that  they  are  ^^numerous",  and  the  fact  that  they  are  indicated  at  one 
point  of  the  margin  of  the  calice,  in  his  figure,  as  being  very  closely 
arranged  and  thin,  they  may  be  as  numerous  as  in  our  specimens.  That 
from  which  his  figure  was  drawn  was  split  longitudinally  very  nearly 
through  the  middle,  and  apparently  exactly  coincident  with  one  of  the  septa 
on  each  side,  so  as  to  show  little  or  nothing  of  the  structure  within.  It 
evidently  had  the  margins  of  the  calice  less  worn  away  than  our  specimens, 
which  makes  the  cavity  in  ours  look  more  shallow. 

From  'the  appearance  of  a  false  columella,  or  portuberance,  in  the 
bottom  of  the  calice,  I  am  not  sure  that  this  coral  would  not  be  more  cor- 
rectly called  CUsiophyllum  multilamella.  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  however,  in 
its  apparent  possession  of  a  septal  fossula,  it  could  hardly  be  properly 
placed  in  the  genus  CUsiophyllum. 

Locality  and  position, — The  typical  specimens  of  Z,  multilamella  came 
from  Cloth  Cap  and  Flat  Rock,  Great  Salt  Lake.  Those  here  referred  to 
that  species  came  from  Strong's  Knob,  on  an  island  in  the  Great  Salt  Lake, 
from  a  dark-colored  Carboniferous  limestone. 

Zaphrentis?  Stansbubii,  Halli 

Plate  6,  figs.  3,  3  a,  3  &,  3  c. 

Zaphrentis  Stansburii^  Hall  (1852),  Stansbury's  Eeport  of  Explorations  Great  Salt 
Lake  Valley,  408,  pi.  i,  figs.  3  a,  &  (not  Marcou,  N.  Am.  Geol.,  vii,  fig.  7). 

Corallum  conical,  slightly  curved ;  epitheca  thin,  with  moderately  dis- 
tinct septal  costse,  and  small,  irregular  wrinkles  of  growth ;  calice  circular 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  55 

or  nearly  so,  rather  deep,  with  steeply-sloping  sides,  and  a  somewhat  irreg- 
ularly-flattened bottom,  showing  some  appearances,  as  seen  in  sections,  of  a 
low  mesial  prominence  and  other  inequalities;  septa  very  thin,  about  150 
in  a  specimen  measuring  one  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter,  generally  nearly 
straight,  every  alternate  one  terminating  about  half-way  in,  while  most  the 
others  continue  to  the  middle,  where  they  are  sometimes  slightly  bent. 
Outer  vesicular  zone  occupying  from  one-third  to  one-half  the  space 
between  the  wall  and  the  middle  below  the  bottom  of  the  caliee,  occupied 
by  numerous  vesicles,  which,  as  seen  in  vertical  sections,  are  generally  very 
narrow,  and  more  or  less  elongated,  with  their  longer  axes  ranging  obliquely 
upward  and  outward.  Inner  area  occupied  by  numerous,  somewhat  larger, 
vesicles,  which,  as  seen  in  vertical  sections,  have  a  general  transverse 
arrangement,  but  arch  upward  all  around  a  little  within  the  lateral  mar- 
gins of  the  area,  and  then  bend  downward,  and  again  upward  as  they 
approach  the  middle.  Septal  fossula,  as  seen  in  transverse  sections  below 
the  bottom  of  the  caliee,  narrow,  and  extending  about  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  the  way  inward  from  the  side  of  the  greater  curve,  as  seen  in 
fig.  3  k 

Length  of  the  largest  specimen  seen,  about  4  inches ;  greatest  diame- 
ter of  the  caliee,  1.80  inches;  number  of  septa  in  one-tenth  of  an  inch,  at 
their  outer  ends,  about  3  to  3^. 

It  is  only  provisionally  that  I  have  referred  this  coral  to  the  species 
described  by  Professor  Hall.  It  certainly  presents  no  characters  inconsist- 
ent with  his  description,  as  far  as  that  goes,^  and  agrees  with  his  figure, 
excepting  in  having,  in  a  larger  specimen,  nearly  double  the  number  of 
septa.  This  latter  character,  however,  would  separate  it  specifically,  if  the 
figure  of  Z.  Stansburii  is  correct  in  that  particular.  It  is  certainly  very  dis- 
tinct from  the  species  referred,  by  Professor  Marcou,  to  Z,  Stansburii,  in 
his  North  American  Geology;  the  specimen  there  represented  having  only 
about  sixty  thick  septa,  not  alternately  shorter  and  longer.  It  will  also  be 
observed   that   Professor  Marcou's  figure  likewise  differs  in  this  respect 

♦"Turbinate,  free,  or  attached  only  by  a  pedicel,  nearly  straifjht,  or  but  slightly 
curved;  cup  rather  deep;  margin  (when  entire)  thin;  lamellie  numerous,  thin;  inter- 
mediate ones  extending  from  the  margin  one-third  to  one-half  the  semi-diameter; 
fossett  distinct." — (Hall,  Stansbury's  Report.) 


B6  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

(though  less  decidedly  so)  from  Professor  Hall's,  which  certainly  has  the 
septa  more  crowded,  thinner,  and  (as  also  stated  in  the  description)  alter- 
nately longer  and  shorter. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  description  that  this  coral  agrees  rather  closely 
in  many  of  its  characters  with  the  last ;  so  closely,  indeed,  that  I  have  been 
much  inclined  to  think  it  might  be  only  a  more  slender  variety  of  the  same. 
Still,  its  longer,  more  attenuated  form,  and  very  nearly  equally  numerous 
septa,  in  rather  decidedly  smaller  specimens,  as  well  as  the  apparently  dif- 
ferent form  of  the  bottom  of  its  calice  (see  fig.  3  c,)  and  the  direction  of 
the  vesicles  formed  by  the  complex  tabulae,  if  not  deceptive,  and  constant, 
would  certainly  be  of  at  least  specific  importance. 

It  is  worthy  of  note,  as  already  suggested  with  regard  to  the  last, 
that  longtitudinal  sections  of  both  of  these  forms  (but  more  particularly 
that  of  the  last)  show  that  the  tabulae  curve  upward  so  as  to  form  a  kind 
of  false  columella  seen  projecting  upward  in  the  middle  of  the  bottom  of 
the  calice  (see  fig.  4  6),  more  nearly  as  in  Clisiophyllum  and  Lonsdalia  than 
I  have  ever  yet  observed  in  Zaphrentis.  Still,  they  seem  to  differ  from 
those  types  in  the  possession  of  a  septal  fossula,  very  clearly  seen,  at  least 
in  the  species  here  under  consideration ;  while  neither  of  them  presents  a 
fasiculate,  composite,  or  astreiform  mode  of  growth,  or  shows  any  traces  of 
well-defined  inner  walls,  as  in  Lonsdalia. 

I  greatly  regret  having  no  opportunity  to  compare  these  and  other  far- 
western  fossils  with  the  original  types  of  species  briefly  described,  and  not 
fully  illustrated,  man)^  years  back,  in  Fremont's,  Stansbury's,  and  other 
Government  reports,  and  can  therefore  only  say  that  I  have  earnestly 
endeavored,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  identify  the  described  forms  from 
the  published  figures  and  descriptions. 

Locality  and  position. — Box  elder  and  Logan's  Peaks,  Wasatch  Eange, 
Utah,  in  a  dark  bluish-gray .  Carboniferous  limestone.  Professor  Hall's 
specimens  of  Z.  Stansburii  came  from  the  same  horizon,  on  Stansbury's 
Island,  Cloth  Cap,  and  Flat  Rock  Point,  Great  Salt  Lake.  Dr.  Hayden's 
party  have  also  found  this  fossil  quite  abundant  in  the  same  kind  of  dark 
limestone  on  the  divide  between  Eoss  Fork  and  Lincoln  Valley,  and  at 
other  localities  in  Idaho, 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  57 

Genus  CAMPOPHYLLUM,  E.  &  H. 

OAMrOPHYLLUM  (undt.  Sp.)- 
Plate5,  figs.  2,  2  a,  2&. 

Corallum  cylindrical,  more  or  less  elongated,  nearly  straight  or  some- 
what curved,  with  ridges  or  irregularities  of  growth.  Calice  unknown ; 
septa  about  eighty,  very  thin,  every  alternate  one  extending  in  about  half- 
way to  the  middle,  while  the  intermediate  ones  are  much  shorter ;  outer 
vesicular  zone  narrow,  or  only  extending  in  about  half  as  far  as  the  longer 
costse,  occupied  by  numerous  vesicles,  which,  as  seen  in  vertical  sections, 
range  obliquely  outward  and  upward  ;  tabulae  thin,  occupying  a  very  wide 
space,  passing  horizontally  across,  but  curving  a  little  downward  at  their 
outer  margins,  and  sometimes  dividing  and  intersecting  each  other  as  they 
pass  across.  Epitheca  thin,  and,  at  least  in  weathered  examples,  marked 
by  distinct  septal  costse. 

Length  unknown ;  diameter,  1.60  inches. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  I  have  seen  is  a  fragment  about  five 
inches  in  length,  and  imperfect  at  both  ends.  It  is  much  weathered,  the 
epitheca  being  entirely  removed,  excepting  on  a  few  spots,  and  the  calice 
broken  away.  I  am  somewhat  inclined  to  believe  that  it  may  be  the  same 
species  figured  by  Dr.  Owen,  from  the  Upper  Coal-Measures  on  the  Mis- 
souri River,  under  the  name  Cyathophyllum  vermiculare^  Goldfuss?  (see  plate 
iv,  fig.  2,  of  his  report  of  his  Geological  Survey  of  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  and 
Minnesota).  The  specimen  is  straighter  than  the  Missouri  River  form  usu- 
ally is,  and  seems  not  to  have  had  such  strong  wrinkles  of  growth ;  but  it 
is  so  much  weathered  that  the  wrinkles  might  have  been  obliterated  in  that 
way.  As  nearly  as  can  be  determined  by  broken  sections,  both  longitud- 
inal and  transverse,  it  seems  to  agree  quite  closely,  in  its  internal  structure, 
with  specimens  of  the  form  figured  by  Dr.  Owen,  now  before  me  from  the 
original  locality.  In  making  the  comparison,  however,  it  should  be  under- 
stood that  Dr.  Owen's  figures  give  no  idea  of  the  true  appearance  and 
number  of  the  septa,  or  of  the  costse. 

The  coral  figured  by  Dr.  Owen  is  a  true  Campophyllumj  and,  as  he  pro- 
posed to  call  it  Cyathophyllum  torquium  in  case  it  should  be  found  to  be  dis- 
tinct from  Goldfuss'  species,  its  name  becomes  Campophyllum  torquium. 


58  PAL^ONTOLOG  Y . 

Fig.  1  of  plate  5  represents  another  coral  from  the  Carboniferous 
limestone  of  Piiion  Mountains,  with  rather  more  closely  arranged  septa. 
It  may  be  a  ZapJirentis  or  a  Campophyllum,  Only  undeterminable  fragments 
of  it  have  been  seen. 

Locality  and  position, — Diamond  Range,  near  Newark ;  Carboniferous. 

Genus  LITHOSTROTION,  Fleming. 
LiTHOSTROTiON  Whitneyi,  Meek. 

Plate  6,  figs.  1, 1  a,  1  6,  1  c. 

Lithostrotion   Whitneyi,  Meek.  (M.  S.),  White  (1875),  Palfieont.  of  Lieut.  Wheeler's 
Beport,  103,  pi.  VI,  figs.  1  a,  6,  c. 

Corallum  dendroid  or  growing  in  irregular,  loosely-aggregated  tufts. 
Corallites  cylindrical,  of  unequal  size,  and  separated  by  very  unequal 
spaces,  often  widely  divergent,  and  generally  a  little  flexuous,  sometimes 
slightly  adherent  where  in  contact;  young  branches  rather  strongly  diverg- 
ing from  the  larger  at  their  origin,  but  soon  curving  so  as  to  become  more 
nearly  parallel;  epitheca  well  developed,  and  only  showing  faintly-marked 
septal  costse,  and  moderately  distinct  wrinkles  of  growth.  Calicos  rather 
deep,  nearly  or  quite  circular,  with  a  prominent,  strongly-compressed  colu- 
mella rising  in  the  middle;  principal  series  of  septa  twenty-four  to  about 
thirty-three,  extending  inward,  sometimes  nearly  to  the  columella,  but  often 
only  as  raised  lines  on  the  upper  sides  of  the  tabulae  along  the  inner  half, 
though  in  other  examples  apparently  becoming  obsolete  within,  so  as  to 
leave  a  comparatively  large  space  of  the  tabulae  smooth  around  the  colu- 
mella; secondary  series  of  septa  alternating  with  the  others  (with  which 
they  agree  in  number),  and  very  short,  or  not  extending  inward  beyond  the 
very  narrow  outer  vesicular  zone.  Outer  zone  well  defined,  and  so  narrow 
as  to  be  occupied  by  scarcely  more  than  a  single  series  of  small  vesicles 
that  range  very  obliquely  outward  and  upward.  Tabulae  of  inner  area 
very  thin,  rather  closely  arranged,  and  curving  strongly  upward  around  the 
columella,  then  extending  at  first  nearly  horizontally  outward,  and  occa- 
sionally dividing  as  they  slope  or  curve  a  little  downward  in  approaching 
the  outer  zone. 

Diameter  of  the  largest  corallites,  0.30  to  0.40  inch;  of  the  smallest, 


OABBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  59 

about  0.20  inch ;  number  of  costse  at  the  outer  wall  of  one  of  the  larger 
corallites,  about  six  in  0.10  inch. 

On  first  examining  this  coral,  I  was  rather  inclined  to  think  it  might  be 
the  same  as  a  form  described  by  me  in  the  first  volume  of  the  California 
Report  (plate  1,  fig.  4)  doubtfully  as  a  variety  of  iy.  mammillare.  On  compari- 
son, however,  its  corallites  are  found  not  only  to  be  more  irregular  in  size 
and  more  divergent,  but  to  present  important  internal  difi'erences.  In  the 
first  place,  they  have  a  more  solid  and  well-defined  columella,  with  the 
tabulae  of  the  inner  area  differently  arranged.  The  most  important  differ- 
ence, however,  is  to  be  observed  in  the  comparative  breadth  of  the  outer 
vesicular  zone,  which  is  very  much  narrower  in  the  species  under  considera- 
tion, and  only  occupied  by  one  or  two  ranges  of  vesicles,  instead  of  three 
or  four ;  and  these  vesicles,  as  seen  in  longitudinal  sections,  are  directed 
more  obliquely  upward  (fig.  1  c,  pi.  6). 

Among  the  described  European  species,  it  seems  to  be  most  nearly  rep- 
resented by  L,  Martini^  Edwards  and  Haime  (see  Brit.  Mountain  Limestone 
Corals,  xl,  figs.  2  a-g)j  smA  L.  Phillipsij  E.  &  H.  (ib.,  xxxix,  figs.  3,3  a). 
From  the  first  of  these,  however,  it  differs  not  only  in  having  the  corallites 
less  uniform  in  size,  and  often  more  divergent,  but  in  having  the  tabulse  of 
its  inner  area,  as  seen  in  vertical  sections,  frequently  divided  instead  of  sim- 
ple, and  its  outer  vesicular  zone  proportionally  narrower,  while  its  secondary 
septa,  as  seen  in  transverse  sections,  and  particularly  in  the  calicos,  are  pro- 
portionally shorter.  It  also  differs  from  L.  Phillipsi  in  the  inequality  and 
more  irregular  arrangement  and  greater  divergence  of  its  corallites,  which 
are  likewise  less  flexuous,  and  want  the  peculiar  coalescent  character  so 
characteristic  of  that  species.  The  L.  PhiUipsi  probably  also  shows  corre- 
sponding internal  differences ;  but,  as  I  have  seen  no  figures  or  descriptions 
of  its  internal  characters,  I  have  no  means  of  making  farther  comparisons. 

The  specific  name  of  this  coral  is  given  in  honor  of  Prof  J.  D.  Whitney, 
State  geologist  of  California. 

Locality  and  position. — From  the  dark  bluish-gray  Carboniferous  lime- 
stone at  Boxelder  Peak,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah. 


60  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Genus  CYATHOPHYLLUM,  Goldfuss. 
Cyathophyllum  (Campophyllum  !)  Nevadense,  Meek. 

Plate  5,  figB.  3,  3  a,  3  ft. 

Corallum  attaining  a  rather  large  size,  elongate-conical,  and  more  or 
less  curved;  calice  apparently  circular,  and  very  deep,  with  nearly  vertical 
sides,  and  a  flat  bottom;  septa  about  100,  every  alternate  one  of  which 
extends  inward  more  than  half-way  to  the  middle,  while  those  of  the  inter- 
mediate series  extend  in  only  one-third  to  one-half  as  far  as  the  others ; 
tabular  very  wide,  somewhat  irregular,  and  generally  curving  downward 
around  their  outer  margins;  outer  vesicular  zone,  as  seen  in  vertical  sec- 
tions, occupied  by  comparatively  large  vesicles,  that  range  nearly  vertically, 
or  with  only  a  slight  outward  inclination.     (Surface  unknown  ) 

Length  of  a  weathered  specimen  not  quite  entire  at  either  end  (measur- 
ing around  the  outer  side  of  the  curve),  5.70  inches;  diameter  at  larger  end, 
about  2.30  inches. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  in  the  collection  is  so  much  weathered 
that  it  retains  none  of  the  epitheca,  while  the  margins  of  its  calice  are  quite 
imperfect.  Without  seeing  better  specimens,  it  is  difficult  to  determine 
whether  it  is  a  Cyathophyllum^  a  Campophyllum^  or  a  Zaphrentis.  The  trans- 
verse section  (fig.  3  b)  seems  to  show  some  indications  of  a  fossula  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  septa,  as  represented  in  the  upper  part  of  the  figure. 
If  this  is  really  a  fossula,  the  species  may  have  to  be  called  Zaphrentis 
Nevadensis. 

Locality  and  position. — Boxelder  Peak,  Wasatch  Eange,  Utah;  Car- 
boniferous. 

Cyathophyllum  subc^spitosum,  Meek. 

Plate  5,  figs.  4,  4  a,  4  6. 

Corallum  subfasciculate,  with  gemmation  lateral;  corallites  few,  the 
young  starting  by  slender  stems  rather  low  on  the  sides  of  the  old,  and 
growing  up  more  or  less  nearly  parallel  with  the  latter,  but  apparently 
without  again  uniting  or  branching  above,  where  they  soon  nearly  or  quite 
equal  the  size  of  the  old;  all  subcylindrical  above  their  tapering  bases, 
and  more  or  less  flexuous,  with  a  few  swellings  and  smaller  wrinkles  of 
growth ;  epitheca  of  moderate  thickness,  and  scarcely  showing  septal  costae. 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  Gl 

Septa  from  about  fifty-six  to  seventy,  all  very  tliin  in  the  outer  vesicular 
zone,  but  (as  seen  in  transverse  sections)  with  the  principal  series  thicker 
within,  and  continued  nearly  (or  apparently  in  part)  quite  to  the  middle, 
while  those  of  the  intermediate  shorter  ones  do  not  extend  inward  beyond 
the  narrow  vesicular  zone ;  vertical  sections  showing  the  vesicular  zone  to 
extend  only  from  one-fourth  to  one-third  of  the  way  to  the  middle,  and  to 
be  occupied  by  a  few  rows  of  unequal  vesicles,  ranging  outward  and  upward. 
Tabulae,  as  seen  in  the  section  last  above  mentioned,  numerous,  occupying 
a  very  wide  space,  equaling  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  entire  breadth  of 
the  corallum,  passing  nearly  straight  across,  or  merely  curving  downward 
a  little  at  their  lateral  margins,  somewhat  irregularly  arranged,  and,  in  paii, 
more  or  less  divided. 

Entire  length  of  corallites  unknown;  diameter  of  largest  seen,  0.62 
inch. 

One  of  the  most  marked  features  of  this  coral  is  the  great  breadth 
of  the  tabulae  compared  with  the  narrow,  outer,  vesicular  zone.  This 
character,  and  the  fact  that  in  some  transversely-broken  sections  the  septa 
do  not  reach  the  middle,  at  first  caused  me  to  suspect  that  it  might  be  a 
branching  Campophyllum,  It  is  true,  the  species  of  that  genus  hitherto 
known  are  simple ;  but,  as  suggested  by  Edwards  and  Haime,  there  may  be 
branching  species  yet  unknown.  On  grinding  a  transverse  section,  how- 
ever, I  find  that  the  larger  septa  all  extend  farther  inward  than  is  usual  in 
Campophyllum^  while  some  of  them  seem  to  extend  quite  inward  to  the 
center  (see  fig.  4  a).  I  am  therefore  led  to  refer  it  to  the  genus  Cyatho- 
phyllum. 

Specifically,  it  does  not  appear,  wheti  all  its  characters  are  taken  into 
consideration,  to  be  nearly  allied  to  any  of  the  described  species  with  which 
I  am  acquainted.  In  the  size  of  its  corallites,  and  apparently  in  their  mode 
of  growth,  as  well  as  in  the  great  breadth  of  its  tabulae,  it  is  very  similar 
to  C.  pseudO'Vermiculare  of  McCoy  (Brit.  PaL  Foss.,  pi.  3  c,  fig.  8) ;  but  it 
has  a  much  larger  number  of  septa,  which  pass  farther  inward,  while  its 
outer  vesicular  zone  is  decidedly  more  complex. 

Locality  and  position. — ^Near  Swansea,  White  Pine  District ;  Carbon- 
iferous. 


62  PALiEONTOLOGY. 

MOLLUSCA. 

BRACHIOPODA. 

STROPHOMENIDiE. 

Genus  HEMIPRONITES,  Pander, 
Hemipronites  crenisteia,  Phillips  (sp.)» 

Plater,  fig.  2. 

Spirifer  crenistriay  Phillips  (1836),  Geol.  Yorks.,  II,  216,  pi.  ix,  fig.  6. 

Spirifer  senilis,  Phillips  (1836),  ib..  fig.  5. 

Leptcena  anovnala,  Sowerby  (1840),  Min.  Conch.,  VII,  9,  pi.  615,  fig.  1  h  (not  1  a,  d,  c). 

Orthis  umbraculum^  Portlock  (1843),  Geol.  Lond.,  456,  pi.  37,  fig.  5. — De  Koninck  (1843), 

An.  Foss.  Garb.  Belg.,  222,  pi.  xiii,  figs.  4-7  (not  von  Buch). 
Orihis  Becheij  McCoy  (1844),  Synop.  Garb.  Foss.  Ireland,  pi.  xxii,  fig.  3. 
Orthis  comataj  McCoy  (1844),  ib.,  fig.  5. 
Orthis  caducaj  McCoy  (1844),  ib.,  fig.  6. 

Orthotetes  radians,  Fischer  (1850),  Bull.  Soc.  Imp.  Mosc,  XXIII,  pi.  9,  fig.  3.* 
Leptcena  crenistria,  McCoy  (1855),  Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  450. 
Leptcena  senilis,  McCoy  (1855),  ib.,  452. 

f  Orthis  Keolcuk,  Hall  (1858),  Iowa  Report,  I,  part  ii,  640,  pi.  xix,  figs.  5  a,  &. 
f  Orthis  robusta,  Hall  (1858),  ib.,  713,  pi.  xxviii,  figs.  5,  a,  b,  c. 
Streptorhynchtis  crenistria,  Davidson  (1860),  Mon.  Scottish  Garb.  Brach.,  32,  pi.  i, 

figs.  16-22;  and  in  Mon.  Brit.  Carb.  Brach.  (1861),  124,  pi.  xxvi,  fig.  1,  pi. 

xxvi,  figs.  1-5,  and  pi.  xxx,  figs.  14-16. 
f  Streptorhynchus  Hallianus  and  8.  Tapajotensis,  Derby  (1874),  Bull.  Cornell  Univ.,  I, 

35  and  37,  pi.  v. 

The  specimens  that  I  have  here  referred  to  the  above-named  widely-dis- 
tributed and  vrell-known  species,  seem  to  agree  in  all  their  external  charac- 
ters with  the  published  figures  and  descriptions  of  that  form  as  given  by 
the  most  reliable  European  authorities.  None  of  them,  however,  show  the 
intmor,  and  they  are  all  in  a  bad  state  of  preservation. 

Locality  and  position. — Light-colored  limestone,  Fossil  Hill,  White  Pine 

District;  White  Pine  County,  twenty-five  miles  northeast  of  Hamilton; 

and  Railroad  Canon,  Diamond   Mountains.     The   specimen  figured  was 

brought  by  Colonel  Simpson  from  a  dark  limestone  near  Camp  Floyd.    All 

Carboniferous. 

*  The  name  Orthotetes  was  first  proposed  by  Fischer  iu  1829  j  but  as  he  neither 
then,  nor  at  any  subsequent  time,  named,  described,  figured,  or  cited  any  type  (until 
1850),  his  genus  cannot  be  regarded  as  antedating  Hemipronites,  Pander,  1830. 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  63 

Genus  ORTHIS,  Dalman. 
Oethis  Micheltni,  L'Eveille,  var. 

Plate  7,  figs.  1,  1  a,  1  6,  1  c. 

Terehratula  Michelinij  L'Eveill6  (1835),  M^m.  Soc.  G^ol.  France,  II,  39,  pi.  ii,  figs.  14-17. 

Orthis  Miehelini,  De  Koninck  (1843),  An.  Foss.  Carb.  Belg.,  228,  pi.  xiii,  figs.  8  and 
10  c,  d. — De  Verneuil  and  De  Keyserling  (1845),  G^ol.  Rass.,  II,  185,  pi.  xii, 
fig.  7.— Semenow  (1854),  Foss.  Schles.  Kolenk.,  tab.  iii,  fig.  11.— McCoy  (1854), 
Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  448,  tab.  iii,  fig.  ll.-^Davidson  (18G0),  Scottish  Carb.  Brach., 
30,  pi.  i,  figs.  7-10 ;  and  again  (1861),  Brit.  Carb.  Brach.,  132,  pi.  xxx,  figs.  6-12. 

Terehratula  fiUaria^  Phillips  (1836),  Geol.  Yorks.,  II,  220,  pi.  xi,  fig.  3. 

Orthis  divaricata,  McCoy  (1854),  Synop.  Carb.  Foss.  Ireland,  pi.  xx,  fig.  17. 

Orthis  circularise  McCoy  (1854),  ib.,  fig.  17. 

Orthis  Michelini  var.  BurlingtonensiSj  Hall  (1858),  Iowa  Report,  I,  part  ii,  596,  pi.  xii, 
fig.  4. 

Compare  Orthis  Pennianay  Derby  (1874),  BuUetin  Cornell  University,  I,  l^To.  2.  26. 

Shell  rather  gibbous,  both  valves  being  convex,  but  the  ventral  less 
so  than  the  dorsal,  longitudinally  oblong  or  subquadrate  in  outline,  with 
breadth  nearly  as  great  posteriorly  as  in  front;  lateral  margins  nearly  straight 
and  parallel,  anterior  lateral  rounding  more  or  less  abruptly  into  the  front, 
v^hich  is  rounded,  somewhat  straightened,  or  very  faintly  sinuous  near 
the  middle ;  hinge-line  very  short,  or  less  than  one-third  the  breadth  of 
the  valves.  Dorsal  valve  distinctly  and  generally  evenly  convex;  beak 
slightly  prominent,  and  only  a  little  incurved ;  area  small,  very  moderately 
arched.  Ventral  valve  moderately  convex  all  over,  excepting  near  the  front, 
where  it  is  depressed  so  as  to  form  a  broad,  shallow,  undefined,  mesial 
sinus ;  beak  projecting  little  beyond  that  of  the  other  valve,  and  arched  but 
not  strongly  incurved ;  area  very  small,  well  defined,  inclined,  and  arching 
more  or  less  backward ;  foramen  moderate,  but  nearly  or  quite  closed  by  the 
cardinal  process  of  the  other  valve.  Surface  of  both  valves  ornamented  by 
numerous,  crowded,  even,  more  or  less  dichotomous,  radiating  stride,  that  arch 
outward  on  the  posterior  lateral  regions,  and  are  crossed  toward  the  front 
and  lateral  margins  by  rather  distinct  marks  of  growth.  (Internal  charac- 
ters unknown.) 

Length  of  largest  specimen  seen,  1.54  inches;  breadth,  1.32  inches; 
convexity,  0.95  inch. 

I  have  long  been  much  perplexed  in  regard  to  the  proper  disposition 


64  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

of  this* shell.  It  has  much  the  general  aspect  of  0.  MicJielini,  but  differs 
rather  decidedly  from  any  authentic  variety  of  that  species  figured  in 
foreign  works  in  its  longitudinally  oblong  outline,  straight  and  parallel 
lateral  margins,  and  greater  convexity,  especially  that  of  its  ventral  valve, 
which  in  0.  Michelini  is  most  generally  flat,  or  even  a  little  concave,  around 
the  anterior  region.  Its  area  is  also  proportionally  smaller  than  in  0.  Mich- 
elini In  some  respects,  it  agrees  more  nearly  with  a  South  American  form 
described  by  Professor  Derby  under  the  name  0.  Pennianaj  already  cited. 
Still,  it  differs  quite  strongly  in  its  oblong  or  quadrate  form  (produced  by 
the  straightness  and  parallel  outline  of  its  lateral  margins,  which  cause  the 
breadth  of  its  valveis  to  be  almost  exactly  as  great  posteriorly  as  toward  the 
front);  while  0.  Penniana  is  decidedly  wider  anteriorly  than  behind,  almost 
exactly  as  in  the  typical  form  of  Michelini  If  0.  Penniana  of  Derby  is 
really  specifically  distinct  from  0,  Michelini^  which  I  am  rather  inclined  to 
doubt,  then  our  shell  might  with  more  propriety  be  arranged  as  a  variety 
of  the  same  than  of  0.  Michelini^  unless  it  may  present  some  internal  differ- 
ences. If  distinct  from  the  above-mentioned  forms,  either  specifically  or  as 
a  variety,  it  may  be  designated  by  the  name  Nevadensis. 

Locality  and  position, — From  the  Carboniferous  limestones  of  White 
Pine  County,  Nevada,  twenty-five  miles  east  of  Hamilton,  on  the  Egan 
Road ;  also,  at  Railroad  Cation,  Diamond  Mountains.  Colonel  Simpson 
also  brought  it  from  the  pass  between  Desert  and  Pleasant  Valleys. 

PRODUOTID^. 

Genus  PRODUCTUS,  Sowerby. 

Productus  Nevadensis,  Meek. 

Plate  8,  figs.  2,  2  a,  2  6,  2  c,  2  (!,  2  c. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  with  a  general  elongate-subovate  forai,  as  seen  In 
adult  examples,  which  are  much  produced  anteriorly;  hinge  less  than  the 
greatest  breadth.  Ventral  valve  very  gibbous,  strongly  arched,  the  curve 
regularly  increasing  from  the  prodticed  front  to  the  beak,  provided  with  a 
rather  deep  mesial  sinus,  which  extends  from  near  the  beak  to  the  front;  gib- 
bous central  region  comparatively  narrow,  and,  on  each  side  of  the  sinus, 
rounded  and  falling  off  laterally  very  abruptly,  especially  to  the  ears;  beak 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  65 

rather  narrow,  distinctly  incurved,  so  as  to  pass  within  the  hinge-line;  ears 
small,  nearly  rectangular;  lateral  margins  sometimes  faintly  sinuous  near  the 
ears,  and  rounded  to  the  front,  which  is  rounded  or  a  little  sinuous  in  outline 
at  the  middle,  as  seen  from  above;  surface  ornamented  by  rather  broad, 
regularly-arranged,  concentric  undulations,  which  become  obsolete  on  the 
umbonal  region,  and  more  strongly  defined  and  wider  anteriorly,  while 
on  the  umbonal  portion  there  are  numerous  minute,  slightly-elongated 
prominences,  arranged  in  quincunx,  which  probably  bore  minute  spines; 
farther  forward  the  little  spine-bases  are  arranged  in  -  concentric  bands, 
mainly  in  the  furrows  between  the  concentric  undulations;  spines  appar- 
ently all  small,  short,  and  inclined  forward,  or  more  or  less  depressed;  interior 
with  the  scars  of  the  cardinal  muscles  narrow,  nearly  parallel,  deeply 
striated,  and  very  profoundly  impressed,  so  as  to  form  on  internal  casts  two 
very  prominent,  parallel  ridges,  between  which  are  seen  the  distinctly- 
corrugated  scars  of  the  adductor  muscles.  Dorsal  valve  flattened,  concave 
over  the  whole  visceral  region,  excepting  a  slight  mesial  ridge  corresponding 
to  the  sinus  of  the  other  valve,  and  marked  by  numerous  small,  regular, 
concentric  wrinkles,  with  many  little  projecting  points  that  seem  to  have 
borne  small  spines,  especially  toward  the  anterior  and  lateral  margins. 
Interior  unknown. 

Length  of  one  of  the  largest  specimens,  measuring  over  the  curve  of 
the  ventral  valve  from  the  beak  to  the  front,  4.30  inches;  breadth,  1.7G 
inches;  convexity,  1.30  inches. 

For  about  ten  years  past  I  have,  at  different  times,  had  under  consid- 
eration specimens  of  this  Prodachis,  without  being  able  to  identify  it  with 
any  of  the  described  species.  I  havejiad  no  difficulty  in  separating  it  from 
all  of  other  known  forms  from  the  Far- West,  and  have  always  found  it  to  be 
quite  constant  in  its  characters.  In  young  examples,  it  is  much  like  F, 
Nehrascenbis  of  Owen;^  though  in  adult  specimens,  it  is  found  not  only  to 
attain  a  much  larger  size,  but  to  be  proportionally  greatly  more  produced 
in  front,  as  well  as  much  more  gibbous;  while  it  evidently  did  not  possess 

♦  ]Not  as  represented  by  Dr.  Oweu's  hgnre  giveu  under  that  name,  on  plate  v  of 
his  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  Minnesota  Report,  however,  which  figure  certainly  does  not 
represent  the  species  described  under  that  name  by  Dr.  Owen,  as  may  be  seen  by  reading 
his  description,  and  as  I  know  from  examining  his  type-specimens. 
5  r  R 


66  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

two  sets  of  spines  as  in  the  P.  Nebrascensis,  on  which  the  larger  spines  were 
long,  strong,  and  erect.  On  Dr.  Owen's  species,  the  little  tubercles,  or 
prominences  supporting  the  spines,  are  also  so  much  elongated  as  often 
almost  to  present  the  appearance  of  little  costse  (especially  on  internal  casts 
broken  from  a  limestone  matrix),  which  is  not  the  case  with  the  species 
under  consideration.  I  have  now  before  me  many  specimens  of  P. 
Nchrascensis,  some  of  which  were  collected  from  the  original  locality,  in 
Nebraska,  while  others  came  from  the  same  horizon  in  Kansas,  Iowa,  and 
Illinois,  and  none  of  these  attain  more  than  Imlf  the  size  of  the  species  here 
described,  nor  are  any  of  them  but  slightly  more  than  hemispherical; 
while  they  are  all  proportionally  broader  across  the  umbonal  region  of  tlfe 
ventral  valve.  In  no  instance  have  I  ever  seen  a  specimen  of  that  species 
so  greatly  produced  in  front  as  we  see  in  this.  The  most  marked  differences, 
however,  are  to  be  observed  in  the  internal  casts  of  these  two  shells,  that 
of  P.  Nebrascensis  scarcely  showing  any  traces  of  the  muscular  scars. 

Among  foreign  species,  our  shell  is  perhaps  most  nearly  represented 
by  some  of  the  narrow,  elongated  varieties  of  P.  scabrictduSy  P.  pustulosus^ 
or  P.  pimdatus;  but  it  seems  to  me  to  differ  too  decidedly  and  constantly 
from  these  to  render  any  detailed  comparison  necessary.  Nevertheless,  I 
expect  to  see  it  (as  is  too  often  hastily  done  in  similar  cases)  arranged  by 
some  authorities  as  a  synonym  of  one,  or  alternately  of  each,  -of  the 
above-mentioned  species.  I  am  aware  that  our  fig.  2  6,  for  instance, 
presents  much  the  appearance  of  some  varieties  of  P.  punctatuSy  because  it 
is  not  placed  in  a  posture  to  show  the  greatly-produced  anterior,  as  sliow^n 
in  fig.  2  Cy  nor  the  strong  distant  concentric  ridges  as  seen  in  fig.  2. 
These,  however,  are  not  the  only  differences;  ior  our  shell  is  constmitly  much 
narrower  than  the  usual  form  of  P.  punctatuSy  while  its  umbonal  region  has 
a  much  more  squarish  appearance,  if  I  may  so  term  it,  owing  to  the  sudden 
and  vertical  descent  of  its  sides  to  the  ears.  Again,  it  will  be  seen  to  pre- 
sent strongly-marked  differences  in  the  form  and  relative  siz^s  of  the 
muscular  scars  in  the  ventral  valve,  by  comparing  our  fig.  2  c  with  fig, 
17  of  plate  xliv  of  Mr.  Davidson's  Monograph  of  the  British  Carboniferous 
Brachiopoda.  Equally  good  distinguishing  characters  can  be  pointed  out 
between  it  and  the  other  species  mentioned. 


CAEBONIFEBOUS  SPECIES.  67 

Locality  and  position, — West  side  of  Buell  Valley;  Summit  Spring  Pass; 
Ruby  Valley;  White  Pine  Mountains  and  other  localities  in  Nevada: 
from  a  light-colored  limestone  beUeved  to  belong  to  the  upper  part  of  the 
Carboniferous  series  of  that  region. 

Productus  (undt.  sp.) 

Plate  7,  figs.  6,  G  a,  6  b. 

Compare  Productus  Ivesii,  Newberry  (1861),  Ives'  Report  on  the  Colorado,  122,  pi.  ii, 
figs.  1-8;  also  Prodmius  Galhounianus,  Swallow  (1858),  Trans.  Acad.  Sci. 
8t.  Louis,  I,  180. 

Shell  attaining  a  large  size,  longer  (measuring  over  the  curve  of  the 
ventral  valve)  than  wide;  hinge  apparently  not  quite  equaling  the  greatest 
breadth.  Ventral  valve  very  gibbous,  much  produced  anteriorly, 
very  strongly  arched,  and  provided  with  a  deep,  wide  mesial  sinus  that 
extends  from  the  unbonal  region  to  the  produced  front,  to  which  it  gives  an 
emarginated  appearance  as  seen  from  above ;  most  gibbous  portion  on  each 
side  of  the  sinus,  comparatively  narrow,  with  abruptly  descending  lateral 
slopes,  which  converge  rather  gradually  to  the.  beak;  ears  apparently  nearly 
rectangular,  arched,  and  wrinkled ;  surface  ornamented  by  medium-sized, 
well-defined,  occasionally  bifurcating  costse,  that  bear  numerous,  more  or 
less  alternately-arranged  little  nodes,  each  of  which  was  the  base  of  a  slen- 
der spine  sometimes  apparently  attaining  a  length  of  nearly  three-quarters 
of  an  inch ;  beak  comparatively  small  at  the  apex,  incurved  so  as  to  pass 
within  the  hinge-line,  and,  together  with  the  adjacent  umbonal  region, 
crossed  by  small  concentric  wrinkles,  which  become  stronger  on  the  ears; 
lines  of  growth  very  fine  and  regular.  Dorsal  valve  somewhat  flattened  or 
a  little  concave  in  the  visceral  region,  and  abruptly  curved  parallel  to  the 
other  in  front,  provided  with  a  mesial  ridge  corresponding  to  the  sinus  of 
the  other  valve;  surface  ornamented  with  costa3  similar  to  those  of  the  other 
valve,  and  crossed  on  the  visceral  region  by  small,  regular  concentric 
wrinkles;  cardinal  edge  strengthened  within  by  a  strong  marginal  ridge  on 
each  side  of  the  short,  recurved  cardinal  process,  from  the  base  of  which 
there  extends  forward  a  small  mesial  ridge,  which  is  bifid  at  its  connection 
with  the  process. 

Length  of  one  of  the  largest  specimens,  measuring  over  the  curve  of  the 


68  PALEONTOLOGY. 

ventral  valve,  about  4.90  inches;  breadth  of  the  gibbous  part  of  umbonal 
region,  exclusive  of  the  ears,  about  2,50  inches. 

Of  this  Productus^  there  are  six  or  eight  specimens  in  the  collection 
from  various  localities,  but  unfortunately  they  are  all  more  or  less  mutilated 
or  distorted.  After  numerous  careful  comparisons,  I  liave  been  unable  to 
arrive  at  any  very  satisfactory  conclusions  in  regard  to  its  specific  relations. 
At  a  first  glance,  it  reminds  one  of  some  of  the  larger  coarsely- costated  va- 
rieties of  P.  semireticulatus.  It  evidently  differs,  however,  in  several  respects 
from  that  species;  being  not  only  more  coarsely  costated,  and  more  deeply 
sulcated,  but  it  likewise  difiers  in  having  numerous  little  spines  scattered 
over  the  whole  of  the  ventral  valve;  while  the  mesial  internal  ridge  of  its 
dorsal  valve  (see  fig.  6  h)  differs  in  being  bifid  as  in  P.  scabriculus.  Inmost 
of  its  external  characters  at  least,  excepting  its  narrower  form,  it  seems  to 
agree  pretty  well  with  the  description  of  a  form  described  by  Professor  Swal- 
low, from  the  Upper  Coal-Measures  of  Kansas,  under  the  name  P.  Calhoun- 
ianus  var.  Kansasensis;  and  yet  it  appears  to  be  specifically  distinct  from 
the  Kansas  specimens  that  I  have  always  identified  with  the  form  described 
by  Professor  Swallow,  as  well  as  from  all  of  the  others  I  have  ever  seen 
from  the  same  localities  as  those  named  by  him.  It  appears  also  to  be  re- 
lated to  P.  Ivesii  of  Dr.  Newberry,  from  Arizona,  but  is  more  produced 
anteriorly ;  and,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  see  from  examinations  of  the 
interior  of  the  dorsal  valve  of  that  form,  its  mesial  ridge  is  not  divided  as 
in  this  shell,  which  is  also  narrower  in  the  umbonal  region. 

I  suspect  that  it  will  be  found  to  be  an  unnamed  species ;  but,  w^ithout 
better  specimens  for  comparison,  I  hardly  feel  justifiable  in  naming  it  as  a 
new  species.     If  distinct  from  all  the  allied  forms,  it  might  be  called  P. 

loPffUS, 

Locality  and  position. — Fossil  Hill,  White  Pine  Mountains ;  Railroad 
Canon,  Diamond  Mountains ;  West  of  San  Francisco  Mountain,  etc. 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  69 

Productus  semireticulatus,  M<artin, 

Plate  7,  fig.  5. 

Anotnites  semireticiilatnsj  Martin  (1709),  Petref.  Derb.,  7,  tab.  xxxii,  figs.  1  and  2,  and 

tab.  xxxiii,  fig.  4. 
Anomites  productus^  ib.,  9,  tab.  xxii,  figs.  1,  2,  and  3. 
Productm  Scoticus,  Sovverby  (1814),  Min.  Conch.,  I,  158,  tab.  Ixix,  fig.  3. 
Frodmtus  Martini,  Sowerby  (1821),  ib.,  IV,  15,  pi  317,  figs.  2-4.—De  Koninck  (1843), 

An.  Foss.  Carb.  Belg.,  160,  pi.  vii,  fig.  2.— Phillips  (in  part,  1830),  GeoK  Yorks., 

II,  213,  pi.  vii,  ^g.  2.— McCoy  (in  part,  1844).— Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  467  and  471. 
Productus  antiquatus,  Sowerby  (1821),  Min.  Conch.,  II,  15,  pi.  317,  figs.  1,  5,  and  6. — 

Phillips  (part,  1836),  II,  213,  pi.  vi,  fig.  2. 

Productus  concinnus,  Sowerby  (1821),  Min.  Conch.,  IV,  16,  pi.  318,  fig.  1. 

Productus  pugilis,  Phillips  (1836),  Geol.  Yorks.,  II,  viii,  fig.  6. 

Leptcena  antiquata^  Fischer  (1837),  Oryc.  du  Goav.  de  Mosc,  142,  pi.  26,  figs.  4  and  5. 

Leptccna  tuhuUfera,  Fischer,  ib.,  pi.  xxvi,  fig.  1  (not  Deshayes). 

Productus  Inca^  d'Orbigny  (1844),  Paleont.  Am.  Merid.,51,  pi.  iv,  figs.  1,  2,  and  3. 

Productus  flexistriata,  McCoy  (1844),  Synop.  Carb.  Foss.  Ireland,  pi.  xvii,  fig.  1. 

Productus  seMireticulatuSj  De  Koninck  (1847),  Monogr.  Chouotes  et  Prod.,  pi.  viii,  fig. 
1,  pi.  ix,  fig.  1,  pi.  X,  fig.  1.— Davidson  (1860),  Monogr.  Scottish  Carb.  Bnich., 
pi.  iv,  figs.  1-5,  7,  and  12 ;  and  of  numerous  other  authors. 

The  collection  contains,  from  several  localities,  specimens  that  seem  to 
me  to  belong  to  the  above-mentioned  well-known  and  widely-distributed 
species.  At  least  so  far  as  their  characters  can  be  made  out  from  the  collec- 
tions yet  obtained  for  study,  no  reliable  distinctions  have  been  observed. 

Locality  and  position, — Railroad  Canon,  Diamond  Mountains;  Fossil 
Hill,  White  Pine  Mountains,  Nevada, 

Pkoductus  costatus,  Sowerby  ?  %  var. 

Plate  7,  fi^8.  4  and  4  a,  b. 

Productus  cost^tnsy  Sowerby  (1827),  Mineral  Conch.,  VI,  115,  pi.  560,  fig.  1.— De  Ver- 
neuil  (1845),  Pala^ont.  Russia  and  the  Ural  Mts.,  268,  pi.  xv,  figs.  13  a,  h. — 
De  Koninck  (1847),  Mon.  Prod.,  92,  x)l.  viii,  tig.  3,*  pi.  x,  fig.  3,  and  pi.  xviii, 
figs.  3  a,  ^.—Davidson  (1860),  Mon.  Scottish  Brach.,  44,  pi.  ii,  figs.  22-24; 
and  of  various  other  authors. 

Productus  sulcatus,  Sowerby  (1822),  Mineral  Conch.,  IV,  17,  pi.  310,  fig.  2. 

Producta  costata  {et  sulcata),  Phillips  (1836),  Geol.  Yorks.,  213,  pi.  vii,  fig.  2. 

Productus  costelfatu^j  McCoy  (1844),  Synopsis  Carb.  Foss.  Ireland,  pi.  xx,  fig.  15. 

Productus  Portlockianus,  Norwood  and  Pratten  (1854),  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad., 

III,  15,  pi.  1,  figs.  9c^,  h,  c. 

*  Tins  figure  of  De  Koninck's  was  drawn  from  an  American  specimen  found  at 
Saint  Louis,  Missouri, 


70  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Producta  costata,  McCoy  (1855),  Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  400. 
Producta  Flemingi  var.  sulcata,  McCoy,  ib.,  461. 

Productus  costatus,  Meek  (1872),  Palaeont.  E.  Nebraska,  in  Haydeii's  Eeport  U.  S.  GeoL 
Survey  Nebraska,  159,  pi.  vi,  figs.  6  a,  b. 

Shell  rather  under  medium  size,  about  as  long  as  wide,  measuring  direct 
from  the  beak  to  the  front,  but  longer  than  wide,  measuring  over  the  curve 
of  the  ventral  valve;  very  gibbous,  and  strongly  incurved,  the  curvature 
increasing  little  from  the  front  to  the  beak,  and  sometimes  desciibing  nearly 
two-thirds  of  an  entire  volution  on  the  ventral  surface ;  hinge-line  about 
equaling  the  greatest  breadth  of  the  valves.  Ventral  valve  very  gibbous, 
with  a  well-defined  mesial  sinus  extending  from  the  umbonal  region  to  the 
front;  ears  small,  nearly  rectangular,  and  rather  distinctly  arched;  lateral 
slopes  rounding  off  nearly  vertically  to  the  ears;  beak  gibbous,  and  strongly 
incurved,  but  scarcely  passing  within  the  hinge-margin;  surface  ornamented 
with  moderate-sized  longitudinal  costse,  which  sometimes  become  a  little 
irregular  in  size  on  the  anterior  and  anterior  lateral  slopes  by  some  of  them 
bifurcating,  or,  in  other  cas6s,  by  two  of  them  coalescing  to  form  a  larger 
and  slightly  more  prominent  one,  generally  at  the  origin  of  a  spine.  Small 
concentric  wrinkles  also  give  the  visceral  region  a  more  or  less  reticulated 
appearance,  while  the  bases  of  rather  stout  spines  are  seen  scattered  over 
the  anterior  and  lateral  slopes  (generally  on  the  larger  costse)  as  well  as 
on  the  ears,  or  sometimes  in  a  row  along  the  sulcus  or  concavity  between 
each  ear  and  the  very  abrupt  swell  of  the  umbo.  Dorsal  valve  flattened- 
concave  in  the  visceral  region,  where  it  is  marked  by  obscure  costoe  and 
small  concentric  wrinkles;  interior  with  a  slender  mesial  ridge,  most  sharply 
elevated  near  the  middle,  and  having  the  muscular  scars  prominent  and  near 
the  beak;  reniform  scars  obscure,  directed  outward  and  a  little  forward  from 
the  anterior  side  of  the  muscular  scars. 

Length  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  measuring  direct  from  the  beak  to 
the  front,  1.21  inches;  measuring  over  the  curve  of  the  ventral  valve, 
about  2.20  inches;  breadth,  1.25  inches. 

It  is  with  considerable  doubt  that  I  have  ventured  to  refer  this  shell  lo 
the  variable  species  P.  costatus,  though  it  seems  to  be  the  form  that  has  gen- 
erally been  identified  with  that  species  in  our  Coal-Measures  and  the  Lower 
Carboniferous  rocks  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.     Although  these- American 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  71 

specimens  agree  pretty  closely  with  certain  forms  usually  regarded  in  Europe 
as  being  only  varieties  of  P.  costatus^  they  never  possess  the  very  large 
costse  and  the  strong  oblique  lateral  ridge  near  each  ear,  seen  in  the  typical 
•variety  of  that  species.  Indeed,  I  have  never  seen  any  American  shell  pre- 
senting the  characters  of  the  typical  P.  costatus^  or  nearly  approaching  it. 
It  is  therefore  only  because  the  best  European  authorities  include  in  that 
species  shells  with  very  much  smaller  costse,  and  the  lateral  ridges  nearly  or 
quite  obsolete  (such  as  that  represented  by  figs.  6  and  6  a  on  plate  4  of  Mr. 
Davidson^s  Monograph  of  the  Carboniferous  Brachiopoda  of  Scotland,  first 
referred  by  Jlr,  Davidson  to  P.  semireticulatus,  but  afLervvard  considei-ed  by 
him  to  be  a  variety  of  P.  costatus),  that  we  have  in  this  country  referred 
such  forms  as  that  under  consideration,  even  provisionally,  to  P,  costatus. 
Generally,  our  specimens  resemble  quite  closely  P.  sulcalits  of  Sowerby; 
and  if  it  were  not  for  the  fact  that  nearly  all  European  authorities  who  have 
investigated  the  Carboniferous  Brachiopoda  agree  in  viewing  the  form  on 
which  Sowel'by  proposed  to  found  that  name  as  only  a  variety  of  P.  costatiis, 
I  should  scarcely  hesitate  to  retain  the  name  P.  sulcatus  for  our  shell.  Our 
specimens,  however,  are  generally  more  gibbous  and  more  strongly  arched 
than  the  European  varieties  of  P  costatiis  with  equally  small  costse.  In 
most  cases,  they  look  much  like  small  examples  of  P.  semiretkulatus ;  and, 
indeed,  Mr.  Davidson  thought  that  specimens  apparently  of  this  sliell  sent 
by  me  to  him  from  the  Coal-Measures  of  Nebraska  more  probably  belonged 
to  that  species  than  to  P.  costatus;  yet  the  fact  that  we  find  these  shells 
throughout  wide  areas  of  country  here  ranging  through  a  considerable 
thickness  of  strata,  and  often  directly  associated  in  the  same  beds  with  well- 
marked  examples  of  P.  semireticulaius  of  the  usual  size  and  form,  and  still 
never  attaining  more  than  half  the  adult  size  of  that  species,  while  they  are 
always  proportionally  narrower  across  the  umbonal  region,  and  more  gib- 
bous and  more  produced,  seems  to  be  an  objection  to  the  conclusion  that 
they  belong  to  the  same  species;  especially  as  these  smaller  shells  are  evi- 
dently, as  may  be  seen  by  their  much-produced,  strongly-arched  form,  adult 
specimens.  On  the  other  hand,  the  fact  that  they  vary  comparatively  little 
in  their  characters,  wherever  we  find  them,  and  never  nearly  approach  the 
typical  forms  of  P.  costatus^  would  seem  to  be  an  equally  good  reason  for 


7  2  PALEONTOLOGY. 

regarding  them  as  belonging  to  a  distinct  species  from  that  form  also.  Until 
we  can  have  an  opportunity  to  arrive  at  a  more  satisfactory  conclusion  on 
these  points  from  the  study  of  more  extensive  collections,  I  would  therefore 
refer  this  form  provisionally  to  P.  costatus,  but  at  the  same  time  express  the 
belief  that  it  does  not  belong  to  the  same  species  as  the  typical  P.  costatus 
of  the  Old  World. 

Locality  and  ^position. — Railroad  Canon,  Diamond  Mountains ;  Fossil 
Hill,  White  Pine  Mountain;  and  Moleen  Peak,  Nevada. 

Productus  Prattenianus,  Norwood. 

Plate  7,  fig.  7. 

Froductus  cora,  Owen  (1852),  Geol.  Report  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  Minn.,  103  and  136, 

pi.  V,  fig.  1. — Marcou  (1858),  Geol.  N.  Am.,  45,  pi.  vii,  figs.  4,  4  a. 
Productus  semiretiGxdatus,  Hall  (1852),  Stansbury's  Report  Bait  Luke  Exp.,  411,  pi. 

iii,  figs.  3,  5,  and  5(i,  ^  (not  Martin,  sp.). 
Productus  Prattenianus^  Norwood  (1854),  Jour.  Acad.  Kat.  Sci.  Pbilad.  (2d  ser.),  Ill, 

p.  17,  pi.  1,  figs.  10  a,  &,  c,  d. 
Productus  FlemingHy  Geinitz  (1860),  Carbonf.  uud  Dyas  in  Nebraska,  52,  taf.  iv,  figs. 

1,  2,  3  (not  Sowerby). 
Compare  P.  cora^  d'Orbigny  (1843),  Pal^ont.  Voy.  Am.  M^rid.,  Ill,  55,  pi.  v,  figs.  8,  D. 

This  is  a  common  shell  in  the  Coal-Measures  of  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
through  the  whole  thickness  of  which  it  ranges,  if  not  into  the  Lower  Car- 
boniferous. It  is  generally  about  as  wide  as  long,  by  direct  measurement 
from  beak  to  front ;  though  in  some  examples  the  anterior  margin  is  more 
produced.  The  hinge-line  usually  equals  the  greatest  breadth ;  while  the 
ears  are  large,  rectangular,  and  marked  with  a  few  large  wrinkles.that  extend 
a  little  upon  the  sides  of  the  umbo,  but  never  cross  over  it,  the  visceral 
region  of  the  ventral  valve  being  nearly  always  without  traces  of  these 
wrinkles.  It  is  very  gibbous,  strongly-arched  in  the  umbonal  region,  and 
without  any  indications  of  a  mesial  sinus,  though  ij;  is  sometimes  a  little  flat- 
tened in  the  middle,  with  the  lateral  slopes  rounding  down  abruptly  on  each 
side.  The  beak  is  often  narrowed  and  distinctly  incurved.  The  surface  is 
ornamented  by  fine,  regular,  longitudinal  striae,  which  increase  by  intercala- 
tion, or  sometimes  by  division;  while  over  the  whole  of  the  ventral  valve 
are  distantly,  but  regularly  scattered,  a  few  large  spine-bases,  at  each  of 
which  the  striae  are  often  interrupted,  sometimes  three  or  four  of  them  termi- 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  73 

nating  at  a  spine-base,  or  three  or  four  originating  on  the  lower  side,  where 
only  one  is  continued  above  the  same.  The  spines  are  large,  erect,  and 
apparently  long,  and  occur  on  the  ears  as  well  as  over  the  other  parts  of  tlie 
valve,  there  being  sometimes  a  row  of  them  along  the  hinge-margin  of  each 
ear.  The  dorsal  valve  is  flattened,  and  generally  provided  with  concentric 
wrinkles  on  the  visceral  portion. 

Although  this  species  is  quite  common,  it  is  rarely  found  with  the  ears 
and  free  margins  unbroken.  In  most  cases,  only  the  umbonal  and  most  gib- 
bous parts  of  the  ventral  valve  are  preserved  when  the  specimens  are  broken 
from  a  limestone  matrix;  while,  owing  to  the  thinness  of  the  shell,  specimens 
in  shale  are  usually  crushed  or  much  distorted.  It  seems  to  be  much  like 
forms  identified  in  Europe  with  P.  cora^  d'Orbigny,  to  which  it  has  been 
by  some  referred  in  this  country.  It  certainly  differs  from  d'Orbigny^s 
figures  of  that  species,  however,  in  having  its  ventral  valve  more  gibbous, 
with  more  nearly  rectangular  and  larger  ears,  with  large  strong  wrinkles; 
while  its  spines  were  certainly  much  larger  and  longer  than  repre- 
sented by  d'Orbigny.  If  his  figure  represents  a  specimen  w^itli  the  free 
margins  and  the  edges  of  the  ears  broken  away,  and  the  shorty  pointed  spines 
shown  along  the  hinge  are  wrongly  drawn,  then  his  species  may  be  identi- 
cal with  our  shell ;  but  otherwise  it  seems  to  me  to  be  quite  distinct.  Prof 
De  Koninck,  however,  who  has  seen  d'Orbigny's  original  specimens,  thinks 
they  are  certainly  not  distinct  from  the  European  forms  referred  to  P.  com, 
some  of  which  are  much  more  like  our  shell  than  the  South  American 
typical  form  would  appear  to  be  from  d'Orbigny's  figure. 

As  in  other  species  of  the  genus,  the  strise  of  this  shell  vary  somewhat 
in  size,  though  much  less  than  is  usual  in  most  other  species.  On  measure- 
ment, I  find  that  from  three  to  five  of  them  may  be  counted  in  a  space  of 
one-tenth  of  an  inch  in  the  specimens  under  consideration. 

Locality  and  'position.— Yo^^A  Hill,  White  Pine  District;  Eailroad 
Canon,  Diamond  Mountains,  Nevada:  Carboniferous. 


74  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Productus  semistbiatus,  Meek. 

Plate  7,  figs.  8,  8  a. 

Productus  semistriatus,  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  XII,  309 ;  and  (1876)  in 
Col.  Simpson's  Report  BxpL  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  347,  pi.  I,  figs.  7  a,  b. 

Compare  Productus  Chandlessii,  Derby  (1874),  Bull.  Cornell  Univ.,  I,  51,  pi.  iv,  figs. 
1-16,  and  pi.  vi,  fig.  1. 

Shell  rather  under  medium  size,  very  gibbous,  greatest  breadth  on  the 
hinge-line,  which  is  nearly  twice  the  length,  measuring  from  the  beak  direct 
to  the  anterior  slope,  but  only  a  little  more  than  half  as  great  as  the  length 
of  the  ventral  valve,  measuring  over  its  curve.  Ventral  valve  extremely 
convex,  strongly  arched,  and  much  produced  in  front,  sometimes  provided 
with  a  very  shallow  mesial  sinus  ;  beak  gibbous  and  distinctly  incurved,  so 
as  to  pass  within  the  cardinal  margin ;  ears  triangular,  strongly  vaulted, 
and  abruptly  separated  from  the  vertical  sides  of  the  gibbous  umbonal 
region  by  a  rounded,  undefined  sulcus,  which  is  continued  from  the  beak 
to  the  lateral  margins,  to  tlie  outline  of  which  it  imparts  a  more  or  less 
sinuous  character  in  front  of  each  ear ;  surface  of  the  visceral  region  marked 
by  small  concentric  wrinkles  extending  upon  the  ears,  and  crossed  by 
numerous  rather  fine  longitudinal  striae,  or  costs;,  that  become  suddenly 
obsolete  on  all  of  the  anterior  and  lateral  slopes  from  above  (behind)  the 
middle :  these  parts  of  the  surface  being  merely  marked  with  obscure  lines 
of  growth  and  strong,  regularly-scattered  spine-bases,  from  each  of  which 
there  is  sometimes  a  very  obscure,  undefined  ridge  extending  downward  to 
or  toward  the  free  margin.  Similar  spine-bases  are  also  seen  over  other  parts 
of  the  surface,  including  the  ears ;  though  they  nowhere  arise  from  tuber- 
cles.    Dorsal  valve  unknown. 

.  Length,  measuring  direct  from  the  umbo  to  the  anterior  slope,  0.83 
inch ;  measuring  over  the  curve  of  the  ventral  valve  from  the  beak  to 
the  anterior  margin,  2.25  inches ;  breadth  to  the  extremities  of  the  ears, 
about  1.34  inches;  breadth  of  most  gibbous  part  of  umbonal  region,  0.90 
inch ;  number  of  longtitudinal  striae  on  the  posterior  half  of  the  ventral 
valve,  in  the  spape  of  0.10  inch,  3. 

This  seems  to  be  a  well-marked  species,  which  is  peculiar  in  having 
well-defined  longitudinal  striae  and  moderately  distinct  transverse  wrinkles 


OARBONIFEliOUS  SPECIES.  75 

on  the  gibbous  visceral  region  of  the  ventral  valve,  and  no  traces  whatever 
of  either  on  the  anterior  and  lateral  slopes,  composing  more  than  half  of 
the  entire  surface.  The  ventral  valve  is  very  gibbous,  distinctly  arched, 
and  much  produced;  the  elevated  umbonal  region  being  comparatively  nar- 
row, with  vertical  sides,  and  but  a  faint  indication  of  a  mesial  sinus.  The 
spines  seem  to  have  been  stout,  erect,  and  to  have  arisen  very  abruptly 
from  the  surface,  without  being  connected  with  tubercles. 

In  several  respects,  the  South  American  shell  described  by  Professor 
Derby,  under  the  name  Productus  Chandlessii,  in  the  Bulletin  of  Cornell 
University,  already  cited,  would  seem,  as  nearly  as  can  be  determined  from 
his  figures  and  description,  to  be  closely  allied  to  the  species  here  under 
consideration ;  but,  without  specimens  for  comparison,  I  am  not  prepared 
to  express  a  decided  opinion  respecting  the  relations  of  the  two  shells. 

Locality  and  position. — The  type-specimens  of  this  species  were  brought 
by  Colonel  Simpson  from  a  locality  southeast  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah 
(latitude  40^  22'  N.,  longitude  111''  38'  W.),  where  they  were  found  in  a 
black  bituminous  limestone  of  Carboniferous  age. 

Productus  subhobeidus,  Meek. 

Plate7,  figs.  3,  3  a,  3  5. 

Shell  small,  or  of  moderate  size,  generally  much  produced,  longitudinally 
oblong-suboval,  the  length  being  distinctly  greater  than  its  breadth ;  hinge- 
line  about  equaling  the  greatest  breadth.  Ventral  valve  very  gibbous,  espe- 
cially in  the  umbonal  region,  with  a  deep  mesial  sinus  extending  from  near 
the  umbo  to  the  front,  very  strongly  arched,  the  curve  increasing  from  the 
front  to  the  beak,  which  is  distinctly  incurved,  but  scarcely  passes  the  hinge- 
margin  ;  ears  small,  nearly  rectangular,  arched,  and  standing  out  nearly  at 
right  angles  to  the  abrupt  sides  of  the  umbo;  surface  smooth,  excepting 
sometimes  broad,  obscure,  obsolescent  longitudinal  ridges  on  the  anterior 
and  lateral  slopes,  and  strong  spine-bases,  rather  thickly  scattered  over  the 
whole,  including  the  ears ;  spines  strong,  erect,  and  long.  Dorsal  valve  and 
interior  unknown. 

Breadth  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  0.85  inch ;  length  of  the  same, 
measuring  direct,  1.03  inches;  measuring  over  the  curve  of  the  ventral 
valve,  2.06  inches. 


76  PALEONTOLOGY. 

In  its  smooth  surface,  deep  mesial  sinus,  and  strong  spines,  this  species 
resembles  the  narrowest  varieties  of  Produdus  Jiorridus  of  Sowerby.  Its 
imiform  adult  size,  however,  from  widely-separated  localities,  and  through 
a  great  thickness  of  strata,  is  less  than  half  that  of  the  average  size  of  P. 
horridus;  while  it  is  greatly  more  produced  and  elongated  in  proportion  to 
breadth,  and  has  a  proportionally  shorter  hinge  and  smaller  ears.  All  its 
associate  fossils  in  the  same  beds  are  also  decidedly  Carboniferous  forms, 
while  I\  horridus  is  a  Permian  species. 

In  some  respects,  this  shell  resembles  a  form  described  by  Professor 
Swallow,  from  the  Coal-Measures  of  Kansas,  under  the  name  P.  costatoides. 
It  attains  a  larger  size,  however,  and  is  more  produced  anteriorly ;  while  it 
wants  the  well-defined  costae  of  that  shell,  being  almost  entirely  smooth, 
excepting  the  spine-bases,  and  the  faintest  possible  traces  of  a  few  broad, 
undefined  ridges,  sometimes  seen  descending  the  anterior  slope.  It  never 
shows  the  faintest  indications  of  concentric  ridges,  or  furrows,  on  the  visceral 
region,  or  any  other  part  of  the  surface. 

Locality  and  position. — Light-colored  Carboniferous  limestone  of  Wa- 
satch Mountains;  Hamilton  Butte,  Ruby  Group;  Mahogany  Peak,  Egan 
Mountains,  and  north  slope  of  Moleen  Peak,  Elko  Range,  west  side  of  Long 
Valley,  Ruby  Group. 

Probuctus  multistuiatus,  Meek. 

Plate  8,  figs.  3;  3  a,  3  &,  3  c,  3  c?,  3  e, 

Produdus  multistriaim^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  !N'at.  Sci.  Philad.,  July,  309 ; 
and  (1876)  in  Col,  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  350, 
pi.  1,  figs.  8  a,  6. 

Shell  of  about  medium  size,  much  produced ;  length  of  entire  speci- 
mens greater  than  the  breadth,  even  by  direct  measurement  from  the  umbo 
to  the  produced  front,  and  proportionally  still  longer,  measuring  over  the 
curve  of  the  ventral  valve  ;  ears  of  moderate,  or  rather  large  size,  some- 
what triangular,  strongly  vaulted,  and  defined  by  a  sinuosity  of  each  lateral 
margin,  which  generally  makes  them  less  than  rectangular  at  the  extremi- 
ties ;  lateral  margins  rounding  anteriorly  from  the  sinuosity  in  advance  of 
each  ear,  to  the  front,  which  is  distinctly  sinuous  in  outline  at  the  middle. 
Ventral  valve  extremely  gibbous,  very  strongly  arched,  and  provided  with 
a  profound  mesial  sinus,  which  extends  from  near  the  umbo  to  the  front ; 


CAEBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  77 

iimbonal  region,  behind  the  most  gibbous  part,  depressed-convex,  and  with- 
out traces  of  transverse  wrinkles ;  beak  incurved,  but  not  passing  far  within 
the  hinge-Hne ;  most  convex  portion  on  each  side  of  the  mesial  sinus  prom- 
inently rounded,  with  very  abrupt  lateral  slopes.  Ventral  valve  deeply 
concave,  but  more  or  less  flattened  in  the  visceral  region,  where  there  com- 
mences a  broad  mesial  ridge,  corresponding  to  the  sinus  of  the  other  valve, 
while  a  low  prominence  extends  out  from  near  the  umbo  to  the  sinuous  part 
of  each  lateral  margin  in  front  of  each  ear,  internally  showing  a  sudden  gen- 
iculation  around  the  front  and  lateral  margins,  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the 
more  or  less  flattened  visceral  region ;  muscular  and  reniform  scars  unknown. 
Surface  of  both  valves  ornamented  by  numerous  fine,  regular,  rather  ob- 
scure, longitudinal  costse,  or  striae,  apparently  generally  destitute  of  spines, 
though  sometimes  a  few  very  scattering  large  spine-bases  are  seen  on  the 
anterior  slope  of  the  dorsal  valve,  as  well  as  on  the  ears  of  the  same,  where 
they,  on  some  specimens,  form  a  row  along  the  hinge-margin. , 

Greatest  length,  measuring  from  the  most  gibbous  part  of  the  umbonal 
region  to  the  front,  about  1.90  inches;  from  the  strongly-incurved  beak 
to  the  front,  1.15  inches;  breadth,  to  the  extremities  of  the  ears,  l.f;4  inches; 
convexity  of  the  ventral  valve,  1  inch ;  number  of  surface  strise  in  0.10  of  an 
inch,  3  or  4. 

Of  this  species,  there  are  some  fifteen  or  twenty  specimens  before  me, 
in  various  states  of  preservation,  all  of  which  are  remarkably  uniform  in 
nearly  all  their  characters.  Its  most  marked  features  are  its  very  gibbous 
form,  deep  mesial  sinus,  dividing  the  ventral  valve  into  two  prominently- 
rounded  lobes,  its  somewhat  depressed  umbonal  region  without  any  traces 
of  transverse  wrinkles,  and  its  fine,  even  striae,  with  only  a  very  few  scat- 
tering, large  spine-bases,  sometimes  seen  on  the  anterior  slope,  and  near  the 
hinge-margin  of  the  ears.  The  sudden  geniculation  of  the  dorsal  valve 
around  the  anterior  and  lateral  margins  of  the  flattened  visceral  region,  is 
also  so  strongly  marked  as  to  give  the  internal  view  of  this  valve  much  the 
form  of  StropJiomena  rhomhoidalis  (see  fig,  3  e),  excepting  that  it  wants  the 
concentric  wrinkles  of  that  shell.  Although  there  are  specimens  in  the  col- 
lection showing  this  character  very  satisfactorily,  unfortunately  none  of  them 


78  PALEONTOLOGY. 

are  in  a  condition  to  show  the  musculai*  or  reniform  impressions,  nor  very 
clearly  the  form  of  the  cardinal  process. 

Generally,  on  somewhat  worn  specimens,  the  fine  striae  are  so  nearly 
obsolete  that  the  surface  presents  the  appearance,  at  a  first  glance,  of  being 
entirely  smooth ;  but  even  these  specimens  nearly  always  show  remains  of 
the  striae  on  the  more  protected  parts,  while,  where  the  surface  is  well  pre- 
served, they  are  always  seen  distinctly  defined  on  all  parts. 

I  am  not  acquainted  with  any  other  species  nearly  enough  allied  to 
this  to  render  a  comparison  necessary. 

Locality  and  position. — The  original  type-specimens  of  this  species  were 
brought  by  Colonel  Simpson's  party  from  latitude  39^  51'  N.,  longitude 
115^  10'  W.,  near  the  center  of  the  eastern  margin  of  Nevada.  Those  in 
Mr.  King's  collection  came  from  further  west,  in  the  Ruby  Group,  and  Ma- 
hogany Peak,  Egan  Range ;  the  matrix  being,  in  all  cases,  a  light-colored 
limestone.  I  have  never  seen  it  from  any  other  localities,  and  know  of  no 
nearly  allied  form  in  the  rocks  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  Its  associates  are 
always  well-marked  Carboniferous  types. 

rROBucTus  LONGispiNUs,  Sowerbj. 

Plato  8,  fi;?8*^,  4  a, 
Productus  lo7igispmu8,   Sowerby   (1814),   Min.  Concb.,   I,  154,  pi.  Ixviii,  fig.   l.—Do 

Koninck  (1847),  Descrip.  An.  Foss.  Carb.  Belg.,  187,  pi.  xii,  figs.  11  a,  b^ 

aud  pi.  xii  bis^  fig.  2.— Davidson  (1853),  Introd.  Brit.  Foss.  Brach.,  pi,  ix,  h^. 

221 ;  also  (1860),  Monogr.  Scottish  Carb.  Brach.,  pi.  ii,  figs.  IO-I95  and  (18GI) 

Brit.  Carb.  Bracb.,  154,  pi.  xxxv,  figs.  5-17. 
Productus  Flemingil,  Sowerby  (1814),  Min.  Conch.,  1,  154,  pi.  6S^  fig.  2. — De  Koninck 

(1847),  Monogr.  Prod.,  pi  x,  fig.  2.— McCoy  (1855),  Biit.  Pal.  Foss.,  461. 
Productus  spinosus,  Sowerby  (1814),  Min.  Couch.,  I,  157,  pi.  69,  fig.  2. 
Productus  lobatus,  Sowerby  (1821),  ib.,  IV,  16,  pi.  318,  figs.  2-6.— Yon  Bach  (1841), 

Ver.  Konigl.  Akad.  Wiss.,  Theil  I,  32,  pi.  ii,  fig.  17.— De  Verneuil  (1845), 

Geol.  liuss.  and  Ural  Mts.,  IF,  266,  pi.  xvi,  fig.  3,  and  pi.  xviii,  fig.  8. 
Productus  elegans^  Davereux  (1833),  Const.  Geol.  de  la  Prov.  de  Li^ge,  272. 
Producta  setosa,  Phillips  (1836),  Geol.  Yorks.,  If,  214,  pi.  viii,  figs.  9  and  17. 
Productus  Gapacii,  d'Orbigny  (1843),  Pal6ont.Voy.  Ana.  M6rid.,  50,  pi.  iii,  figs.  24-26. 
Productus  tuberosus,  De  Keyserling  (1S46),  Petschora  Land,  208,  pi.  iv,  fig.  6. 
Productus  Wabashensls^  Norwood  and  Pratteu  (1854),  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  Ill, 

pi.  1,  tig.  6. 
f Productus  splendens^  ib.,  pi.  i,  tig.  5. 

Tlie  specimens  of  the  little  shell  that  I  have,  with  doubt,  referred  to  the 

above  species,  are  not  in  a  very  good  state  of  preservation ;  but,  as  far  as 

their  characters  can  be  made  out,  they  seem  to  agree  at  least  with  forms 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  79 

regarded  by  reliable  authorities  as  being  varieties  of  Sowerby's  species. 
The  best  specimen  in  the  collection  is  represented  by  the  figs.  4,  4  a,  on 
plate  8.  This  is  more  gibbous  in  the  umbonal  region,  and  has  larger  cos- 
toe  than  the  most  characteristic  examples  of  P.  longispinuSj  while  it  shows  no 
traces  of  the  mesial  sinus  usually  seen  in  the  same.  In  these  respects, 
however,  it  agrees  more  nearly  with  a  form  illustrated  as  a  variety  of  that 
species  by  Mr.  Davidson's  figs.  19,  19  a,  plate  xxxv,  of  his  Monogr.  Brit. 
Garb.  Brach.  It  is  true  that  it  does  not  show  the  angular  projection  of  the 
anterior  margin  seen  in  Mr.  Davidson's  figure,  but  its  anterior  margin  is 
broken.  Some  of  the  other  more  imperfect  specimens,  however,  show  the 
usual  mesial  sinus,  and  the  smaller  costse,  exactly  as  in  characteristic  exam- 
ples of  P.  longispinus.  Generally,  the  surface  is  exfoliated,  and  the  spines 
broken  away;  but,  in  a  few  instances,  some  remaining  traces  of  their  bases 
can  be  seen,  while  fragments  of  comparatively  stout  spines,  like  those  of 
Sowerby's  species,  occur  closely  associated  in  the  same  matrix. 

Locality  and  position, — Fossil  Hill,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada;  in  light- 
colored  Carboniferous  limestone. 

RHYNCHONELLID^. 

Genus  LEIORHYNCHUS,  Hall. 
Leiorhynchus  QUADRicosTATXJS,  Vauuxem  ?  (sp.). 

riate3,  figs.  9,  9  a,  9  6. 
Ortlm  quadricostatus^  Yanux.  (1842),  Geol.  Rep.  Third  Dist.  N.  Y.,  186. 
Leiorhynchus  quadricostatusj  Hall  (1843),  Eegent'S  Thirteenth  Kep.,  865  and  Pal.  N.  Y. 
iv,  357. 

Shell  trigonal-subovate,  or  subcircular,  very  thin,  and  apparently  com- 
pressed; posterior  lateral  margins  somewhat  straightened,  and  diverging 
from  the  beaks  at  about  a  right  angle;  anterior  lateral  margins  rounding  to 
the  front,  which  is  generally  a  little  protuberant  in  the  middle,  but  some- 
times rounded,  or  even  faintly  sinuous  in  outline.  Dorsal  valve  apparently 
more  convex  than  the  other,  and  provided  with  a  depressed  mesial  fold,  which 
extends  little  farther  than  the  middle,  and  bears  four,  or  rarely  five,  low, 
rounded  costse,  which  do  not  reach  the  umbonal  region;  lateral  surfaces 
smooth,  or  only  showing  very  faint  traces  of  a  few  undefined  radiating 
oostae.  Ventral  valve  with  a  shallow  mesial  sinus,  corresponding  to  the  fold 
of  the  other  valve,  and  bearing  three,  or  rarely  four,  obscure  costse,  while 


80  PALEONTOLOGY. 

very  faint  traces  of  a  few  similar  costae  are  sometimes  seen  on  each  side  of 
the  sinus.  Surface  of  both  valves  marked  by  fine  lines,  and  more  or  less 
stronger  sulcations  of  growth,  which  undulate  gracefully  in  crossing  the 
costa3. 

Length,  1  inch;  breadth,  0.93  inch;  convexity  unknown.  One  pro- 
portionally broader  specimen  measures  0.93  inch  in  length  and  1.06  inches 
in  breadth. 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  in  the  collections  studied  by  me  are  merely 
distorted  casts  with  portions  of  the  shell  attached.  These  so  nearly  resem- 
ble Leiorliynchus  muUicostatuSj  Hall  (supposed  by  Professor  Hall  to  be  prob- 
ably only  a  variety  of  L,  quadricostatuSy  Vanuxem,  sp.,  from  the  Hamilton 
Grroup,  N.  Y.),  that  I  had  called  attention  to  the  close  similarity.  On  com- 
parison, however,  with  the  figures  and  descriptions  of  the  N.  Y.  shell,  I 
thought  them  most  probably  distinct,  and  had  proposed,  in  manuscript,  a 
new  name  for  them.  Since  then  Professor  Hall  and  Mr.  Whitfield,  who 
have  investigated  Mr.  King's  later  collections,  have  referred  this  shell  to  L. 
quadricostatuSj  Vanuxem  (see  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  XI,  476,  June,  1875).  As 
they  have  had  the  advantage  of  making  direct  comparisons  with  authentic 
New  York  specimens  of  Vanuxem's  species,  which  I  had  no  opportunity  to 
do,  it  is  presumable  that  they  are  more  apt  to  be  con-ect.  Consequently,  as 
these  pages  are  passing  through  the  press,  I  have  withdrawn  my  proposed 
name;  and,  as  it  has  never  been  published  with  a  description,  it  need  not  be 
cited  in  synonymy. 

The  group  Leiorhynclms  seems  to  be,  so  far  as  yet  known,  distinguished 
from  the  older  types  of  Rhynclionella  more  by  the  obscurity  and  obsolescent 
character  of  its  plications,  and  other  superficial  characters,  than  by  any 
observed  fundamental  differences  of  the  muscular  or  other  internal  peculiar- 
ities. The  known  New  York  species  are  found  only  in  the  Hamilton  and 
Chemung  Groups  of  the  Devonian. 

Locality  and  position. — White  Pine  Mountains,  Nevada;  where  it  occurs 
in  a  dark  shale.  If  a  true  Leiorhynchus^  and  especially  if  identical  specifically 
with  the  New  York  shell  referred  to,  the  black  shale  from  which  it  was 
obtained,  would  be  almost  certainly,  as  I  had  suspected,  Devonian,  and  not 
Carboniferous. 


OABBONIFERODS  SPECIES.  81 

SPIRIFERIDJE. 
Genus  ATHYRIS,  McCoy. 
Athyris?  persinuata,  Meek. 

Plate  9,  figs.  4,  4  a,  4  6. 

Shell  subtrigonal,  very  gibbous,  somewhat  longer  than  wide ;  lateral 
margins  rounded  in  outline;  front  prominent  in  the  middle;  connecting 
margins  of  the  valves,  on  each  side  of  the  beaks,  broadly  and  deeply 
sinuous  (see  fig.  4  6.)  Dorsal  valve  much  nK)re  convex  than  the  other,  its 
greatest  convexity  being  at  the  middle  of  the  front,  where  it  is  elevated  in  the 
form  of  a  very  prominent,  rounded,  mesial  fold,  which  projects  somewhat 
forward,  and  scarcely  extends  back  to  the  middle ;  lateral  slopes  rounding 
abruptly  downward,  and  considerably  produced,  so  as  to  meet  the  margins 
of  the  other  valve  nearly  at  right  angles ;  beak  strongly  incurved.  Ventral 
valve  moderately  convex  in  the  umbonal  region,  and  depressed  in  front  into 
a  broad,  rounded,  or  somewhat  flattened  and  profound  mesial  sinus,  which 
causes  the  anterior  margin  to  project  obliquely  forward  and  upward  as  a 
linguiform  extension  filling  a  corresponding  sinus  in  the  margin  of  the 
other  valve,  which  it  intersects  at  less  than  a  right  angle ;  beak  unknown. 
Surface  of  both  valves  apparently  nearly  smooth,  excepting  rather  distinct, 
subimbricating  marks  of  growth  near  the  anterior  and  lateral  margins. 

Length,  about  1.28  inches;  breadth,  1.16  inches;  convexity,  0.98  inch; 

Although  I  have  seen  no  entire  specimens  of  this  shell,  those  I  have 
had  an  opportunity  to  examine  seem  to  differ  so  widely,  not  only  from  all 
the  other  fonns  in  the  collection,  but  from  any  described  species  of  which 
I  have  seen  figures  or  specimens,  that  there  appears  to  be  little,  if  any, 
reason  to  doubt  that  it  is  a  new  species.  At  a  first  glance,  its  extremely 
elevated  fold  and  deep  sinus  remind  one  of  Bhynchonella  acuminata;  but, 
on  closer  inspection,  this  fold  is  seen  to  be  merely  rounded,  instead  of  angu- 
lar, or  divided  into  several  smaller  ridges,  as  we  see  in  that  shell.  I  am  in 
some  little  doubt,  however,  whether  or  not  it  is  really  a  true  Athyris^  since 
none  of  the  specimens  show  the  beak  of  the  ventral  valve,  or,  very  clearly, 
any  of  the  internal  characters.  One  internal  cast  of  the  dorsal  valve  shows 
that  it  has  a  mesial  ridge,  or  low  septum,  in  the  umbo,  much  as  we  often 

6  P  R 


82  PALEONTOLOGY. 

$ee  in  Mhynchonella;  but  some  scars  of  the  adductor  muscles  seen  near  the 
middle  of  the  valve  seem  to  be  more  like  those  of  Athyrw.  If  a  Mhyncho- 
nella,  it  would,  of  course,  belong  to  the  section  of  the  genus  including 
J2.  acuminata. 

Locality  and  position, — Light-colored  Carboniferous  limestone  of  White 
Pine  Mountains,  JsTevada. 

AiHYBis  RoiSSYi,  l'Eveill6  (sp.). 

Plate  9,  figs.  3,  3  «,  3  &. 

Spirifer  de  Roissyiy  l'Eveill6  (1835),  M^m.  Soc.  G6ol.  France,  11,  39,  pi.  ii,  figs.  18-20. 

Spirifer  glabristriatus,  Phillips  (183G),  Geol.  Yorks.,  II,  220,  pi.  x,  fig.  19. 

Spirifer  fimbriatus^  Phillips,  ib.,  220. 

Terebratula  Boissyij  De  Verneuil  (1840),  Bull.  Soc.  G6ol.^  Prance,  XI,  259,  pi.  iii,  figs. 

1  &,  c,  ^  (not  1  a  aud  e).— De  Koninck  (1843),  An.  Poss.  Garb.  Belg.,  300,  pi. 

xxi,  fig.  1  (not  pi.  XX,  fig.  1).* 
Athyris  depressa^  McCoy  (1844),  Synop.  Oarb.  Poss.  Ireland,  147,  pi.  xviii,  fig.  7. 
Athyrls  de  Boissyi,  McCoy  (1855),  Brit.  Pal.  Poss.,  433. 
Athyris  glahristriata,  McCoy,  ib.,  434. 
Athyris  Boyssi,  Dsbvidmn  (1860),  Monogr.  Carb.  Bracb.  Scotland,    16,  pi.  i,  fig.  12; 

and  (1861)  Brit.  Carb.  Brach.,  84,  pi.  xviii,  figs.  1-11. 
?  Athyris  siiblamellosa^  Hall  (1858),  Iowa  Report,  II,  part  2,  702,  pi.  xxvii,  figs.l  a,  &,  c. 

There  are  among*  the  collections  before  me  a  number  of  specimens, 
some  of  which  agree  very  closely  with  A.  Boissyi  in  form,  size,  and  general 
appearance ;  but,  as  none  of  them  show  the  fringed  lamellae  of  growth  so 
characteristic  of  I'Eveille's  species,  it  is  with  considerable  doubt  that  I  have 
identified  them  with  that  widely-distributed  Carboniferous  form.  Still,  as 
the  peculiar  surface-markings  are  said  not  to  be  always  preserved  in  speci- 
mens of  A,  Boissyij  it  is  quite  possible  that  they  may  have  originally  existed 
in  our  specimens,  which  came  from  a  limestone  matrix.  They  all  show 
rather  distinct,  subimbricating  marks  of  growth,  but  without  traces  of 
projecting  fimbriated  lamellae.  Some  of  the  larger  specimens  have  exactly 
the  transversely-oval  form  and  well-defined  mesial  sinus  seen  in  mature, 
wide  individuals  of  A.  Boissyi;  while  other  smaller  individuals  are  propor- 
tionally narrower,  with  a  much  more  prominent  beak,  and  more  rapidly- 
sloping  posterior  lateral  margins,  thus  passing  by  easy  gradations  into  forms 
that  it  is  difficult  to  separate  from  A.  subtilita,  Hall,  especially  in  specimens 
that  have  the  surface-markings  not  well  preserved.  The  adult  specimens 
all  show  the  sinus  of  the  ventral  valve  terminating  in  a  rounded  marginal 


OARBONIFEBOUS  SPECIES.  83 

projection,  fitting  into  a  con-esponding  sinuosity  in  the  front  of  the  other 

val^e,  just  as  we  see  in  A.  Roissyi;  but  the  sinus  in  all  of  them  becomes  a 

narrow,  very  shallow  sulcus,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  front,  instead  of 

being  broadly  rounded  or  somewhat  flattened,  as  we  usually  see  in  large 

examples  of  TEveill^'s  species. 

Locality  and  position. — From  the  light-colored  Carboniferous  limestones 

of  Ruby  Group ;  also,  from  same  in  Wachoe  Mountains ;  Mahogany  Peak ; 

Egan  Range,  Nevada, 

Athyrts  subtilita,  Hall. 

Plato  8,  figs,  6,  6  a. 

tSpirifer  Roissyi^  d'Orbi^ny  (1843),  Voy.  dans  Ara^r.  M^rid.,  46,  pi.  iii,  figs.  17  and  19, 

(by  error  marked  Terebratula  Peruviana  on  the  plate;  not  Athyris  Boissyij 

rEveill6,  sp.). 
Terebratula  subtilita,  Hall  (1852),  Stansbury's  Report  Salt  Lake  Exp.,  409,  pi.  4,  figs.  1 

and  2 ;  and  again  (1858)  in  Iowa  Geol.  Report,  I,  part  ii,  714. — Marcou  (1858), 

Geol.  N.  Am.,  52,  pi.  vi,  figs.  9  a,  b,  o,  d,  e,/. 
Athyris  differentis,  McChesney  (1860),  Descriptions  New  Palaeozoic  Fossils,  47. 
Athyris  subtilita,  Davidson  (1861),  Brit.  Carb.  Brach.,  86,  pi.  i,  figs.  21-22,  and  pi. 

xvii,  figs.  8-10.— Salter  (1861),  Quart.  Jour.  Geol.  Soc,  XVII,  pi.  iv,  figs.  4a,  ft.— 

Meek  (1876),  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah, 

350,  pi.  2,  figs.  4  <i,  6. 
Compare  Terebratula  argentea^  Shephard  (1838),  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  and  Arts,  XXXIV,  152, 

fig.  8;  also,  Athyris  subquadrata.  Hall  (1858),  Iowa  Re{)ort,  I,  part  ii,  703, 

pi.  27,  figs.  2  «,  b,  c,  d. 

Of  this  very  conimon  species,  there  are  in  the  collection  from  several 
localities  in  Nevada  well-marked  and  characteristic  examples,  agreeing  in 
all  respects  with  those  found  in  the  Coal- Measures  of  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
from  Kansas  and  Nebraska  to  Texas,  as  well  as  westward  to  New  Mexico, 
and  eastward  to  Ohio.  If  Athyris  subquadrata,  Hall,  is  really  identical  with 
this  species,  which  it  certainly  very  closely  resembles,  then  it  must  be  com- 
mon both  to  the  Upper  and  Lower  Carboniferous  in  the  West ;  but  if  that 
is  a  distinct  species,  A.  subtilita  would  seem  to  be  confined,  so  far  as  known, 
to  the  Coal-Measures  in  the  Mississippi  Valley ;  though  the  English  speci- 
mens referred  to  A.  subtilita  by  Mr.  Davidson  came  from  the  Lower  Car- 
boniferous. 

Mr.  Salter  identified  with  this  species  a  South  American  shell  from  the 
Andes,  and  also  a  form  described  from  there  by  d'Orbigny,  and  referred  by 
him  to  Athyris  Boissyi:  and,  from  the  figures  given  by  these  authors,  as  well 


84  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

as  from  the  other  fossils  found  in  the  same  beds,  I  can  scarcely  doubt  that 
this  South  American  shell  is  really  identical  with  A.  subtilita.^ 

Although  the  figure  given  in  the  Journal  of  Science  by  Shephard,  of 
the  shell  described  by  him  in  1838  under  the  name  Terehratula  argentea, 
does  not  resemble  adult  forms  of  A.  subtilita,  I  have  long  suspected  that  it 
represents  an  immature  example  of  this  species,  as  no  other  similar  form  is 
known  among  all  the  numerous  specimens  from  our  western  Coal- Measures. 
If  it  should  be  found  to  be  the  same,  Shephard's  specific  name  would  have 
to  stand,  as  it  has  priority  of  date. 

Locality  and  position.— Rxxhy  Gvoiip'j  Moleen  Peak;  near  Humboldt 
River,  and  other  Nevada  localities,  in  a  light-colored  limestone. 

Genus  SPIRIFERINA,  d'Orbigny. 
Spieifebina  (luidfc.  sp.). 

Plate  8,  figs.  5,  5  a,  5  h. 

Compare  Spirifer  octoplicatnsj  Sowerby  (1827),  Min,  Conch.,  V,  120,  pi.  562,  figs.  2,  3, 
and  4  (=  Spiriferina  cristata  var.  octoplicata  of  Davidson  and  others). 

Shell  rather  small,  very  gibbous,  about  equivalve,  subtrigonal  or 
rhombic-subquadrangular  in  general  outline;  hinge-line  apparently  equal- 
ing the  greatest  breadth.  Ventral  valve  most  convex  in  the  umbonal  region; 
beak  incurved  and  projecting  backward;  mesial  sinus  nan-ow,  well  defined, 
somewhat  flattened,  and,  without  costse  w^ithin,  continued  to  the  point  of 
the  beak,  and  having  its  anterior  margin  produced  forward  in  the  form  of  a 
somewhat  angular  projection  fitting  into  a  corresponding  sinus  in  the  margin 
of  the  other  valve;  lateral  slopes  with  each  five  to  six  elevated,  simple, 
narrowly -romided,  or  subangular  costse  of  the  same  size  as  the  deep  depres- 
sions between;  cardinal  area  of  moderate  height,  with  well-defined  margins 
that  slope  from  the  beak  apparently  to  the  lateral  extremities  of  the  hinge, 
rather  strongly  arched,  and  inclined  obliquely  backw^ard.  Dorsal  valve  with 
a  narrow,  very  prominent,  subangular,  simple  mesial  fold,  most  elevated  at 
or  near  the  front,  but  continued  to  the  beak,  and  projecting  forward  *so  as 
to  give  a  rather  acutely  angular  character  to  the  outline  of  anterior  margin; 

♦Since  this  was  written.  Professor  Derby,  of  Cornell  University,  has  identified  A. 
mhtilita  from  Brazil  (see  Bull.  Cornell  University,  I,  No.  2,  7.) 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  g5 

beak  rather  distinctly  incurved  and  but  very  little  projecting;  lateral  slopes 
costate  as  in  the  other  valve.  Surface  of  both  valves  with  a  few  rather 
strong  zigzag  marks  of  growth,  most  distinct  near  the  deeply  interlocking, 
angular  serratures  of  the  anterior  lateral  margins,  showing  very  clearly, 
under  a  common  single  lens,  the  rather  large  punctures  regularly  arranged 
in  quincunx. 

Length,  measuring  from  the  most  prominent  part  of  the  ventral  umbo 
to  the  front  of  the  mesial  fold  of  the  dorsal  valve,  0.82  inch;  breadth,  about 
0.93  inch;  convexity,  0.68  inch. 

This  shell  seems  to  be  related  to  a  common  form  in  our  western  Coal- 
Measures,  generally  known  in  this  country  by  Dr.  Shumard's  name  8.  Ken- 
tuckensis  (but  supposed  by  Mr.  Davidson  not  to  differ  from  S.  octoplicata  of 
Sowerby),  though  it  is  probably  distinct  from  Dr.  Shumard's  species.  With- 
out more  and  better  specimens  for  comparison,  however,  I  scarcely  feel  war- 
ranted in  regarding  it  as  new.  The  only  individual  of  it  in  the  collection 
has  the  lateral  extremities  broken  away,  but  it  is  evidently  a  larger  and  more 
robust  and  more  gibbous  shell  than  any  specimens  of  the  form  described  by 
Dr.  Shumard  that  I  have  seen,  and  differs  both  from  that  and  the  European 
typical  8,  octoplicata  in  having  its  mesial  fold  much  more  elevated,  and  pro- 
jecting forward  so  as  to  impart  a  very  distinctly  angular  outline  to  the  middle 
of  the  anterior  margin.  Should  other  specimens  show  these  characters  to 
be  constant,  I  should  think  it  entitled  to  a  distinct  name,  either  as  a  species 
or  as  a  variety,  and  would  in  that  case  propose  to  call  it  8,  gonionota,  in 
allusion  to  its  high  angular  mesial  fold. 

Locality  and  position. — Light-colored  limestone  of  Carboniferous  age  at 
Railroad  Canon,  Diamond  Mountains,  Nevada. 

Spieiferina  pulohra,  Meek. 

Plate  8,  ags.  1  1  a,  6,  c,  d,  c;  and  pi.  12,  figs.  12, 12  a,  ft,  c,  d  ?, 
Spirifera  pulchraj  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  IlJat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  310;  and  (1876) 

in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  of  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  352,  pi.  2, 

figs.  1  a  and  1  h. 
Spiriferina  pulckra^  Meek  (1865),  Palseont.  Upper  Missouri,  10. 

Shell  of  about  medium  size,  transverse,  rather  compressed,  or  some- 
times gibbous ;  breadth  from  twice  to  about  three  times  the  length ;  lateral 


86  PALiBONTOLCGY. 

extremities  more  or  less  acutely  angular;  valves  nearly  equally  convex,  the 
dorsal  being  generally  most  convex  in  front,  and  the  ventral  in  the  umbonal 
region.  Dorsal  valve  with  its  beak  not  very  prominent  or  strongly  incurved 
in  the  type-specimens,  in  which  the  area  is  rather  narrow,  well  defined,  nar- 
rowed to  the  lateral  extremities,  and  a  little  arched  and  inclined  backward 
over  the  hinge ;  foramen  triangular,  slightly  higher  than  wide,  and  provided 
with  a  distinct  marginal  furrow  on  each  side;  mesial  sinus  rather  narrow, 
well  defined,  smoothly  rounded  within,  and  commencing  at  the  apex  of  the 
beak,  from  which  it  widens  and  deepens  gradually  to  the  front;  lateral 
slopes  on  each  side  of  the  sinus  ornamented  by  from  nine  to  twelve  or  thir- 
teen simple,  prominent,  rather  acutely-rounded  costse.  Ventral  valve  with 
a  narrow,  well-developed  cardinal  area,  which  generally  tapers  to  the  hinge- 
line  before  reaching  the  lateral  extremities,  and,  with  the  short  beak,  arches 
rather  strongly  inward ;  mesial  elevation  simple,  narrow,  rounded,  and  con- 
tinued to  the  beak ;  lateral  slopes  with  their  simple  costse  corresponding  in 
number  and  arrangement  to  those  of  the  other  valve.  Surface  of  both 
valves  with  small,  somewhat  obscure,  subimbricating  lines  of  growth,  which 
are  rather  distinctly  arched  in  crossing  the  costae,  fold  and  sinus,  show- 
ing the  punctate  structure  very  clearly  under  a  common  single  pocket- 
magnifier. 

Length  (of  one  of  the  more  compressed  specimens),  0.95  inch ;  breadth 
of  the  same,  about  1.76  inches;  convexity,  0.52  inch. 

Most  of  the  typical  specimens  of  this  species  are  rather  compressed, 
and  have  the  lateral  extremities  extended  and  acutely  pointed.  Other 
specimens,  however,  from  the  same  rock  at  localities  a  little  farther  north, 
found  associated  with  the  same  group  of  fossils,  are  more  gibbous,  and  have 
slightly  smaller  and  a  little  more  crowded  costse,  with  a  somewhat  higher 
and  more  arched  area  and  beak.  As  the  latter,  however,  vary  somewhat 
in  these  respects,  and  agree  exactly  in  all  other  known  characters  with  the 
more  compressed  typical  examples,  I  have  not  been  willing  to  separate 
them. 

Although  not  unlike  some  of  the  .described  species  of  Spirifer  {Tri- 
gonotretd)j  I  am  not  acquainted  with  any  described  species  of  Spiriferina  so 
near  this  as  to  render  a  comparison  necessary.     It  certainly  belongs  to 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  87 

the  latter  group,  being  beautifully  punctate,  as  can  be  readily  seen  with  a 
common  single  lens,  the  punctures  being  so  large  as  even  to  give  the  whole 
surface  of  internal  casts  a  beautiful  granular  appearance;  while  casts  of 
the  rostral  cavity  of  the  ventral  valve  show  a  deep  mesial  slit,  left  by  a 
well-defined  mesial  septum,  as  seen  in  fig.  1  c  of  plate  8. 

Locality  and  position, — The  typical  specimens  were  brought  by  Colonel 
Simpson  from  a  locality  in  Nevada,  at  latitude  40^  N.,  longitude  115^  20'  W. ; 
the  other  more  gibbous  specimens  in  the  collections  under  consideration  came 
from  White  Pine  County,  twenty-five  miles  northeast  of  Hamilton,  Ruby 
Group,  Nevada:  all  from  light-colored  Carboniferous  limestone. 

A  number  of  other  specimens  in  the  collection,  from  a  light-grayish 
limestone  at  the  mouth  of  Weber  Canon  (see  pi.  12,  figs.  12,  12  a,  12 
6,  12  c,  12  d\  agree,  so  far  as  can  be  seen,  in  all  respects  with  this  species. 
Some  of  them  are  compressed  like  the  typical  specimens,  while  others  are 
more  gibbous,  and  agree  exactly  with  those  from  the  Ruby  Group. 

Genus  SPIRIFER,  Sowerby. 
Spirifbr  cuspid ATUS,  Martin!  (sp.). 

Plate  3,  figs.  11,  11  a. 

Anomites  cuspidatus^  Martin  (1796),  Trans.  Linn.  Soc,  IV,  44,  pi.  iii,  figs.  1-6. 
Conchyliolithus  (Anomites)  cuspidatusy  Martin  (1809),  Petref.  Derb.,  I,  10,  pi.  46,  fig.  34, 

and  pi.  47,  fig.  5. 
ISpirifer  cuspidatus^  Sowerby  (1816),  Min.  Oonch.,  II,  tab.  120,  figs.  1-3  5  and  of  numer- 

ous  later  authors. 
Delthyris  cuspidatuSj  Keiferst.  (1824),  Naturges.  des  Brdk.,  II,  611. 
Cyrtia  simplex^  McCoy  (1844),  Synop.  Garb.  Foas.  Ireland  (not  of  Phillips). 
,  Cyrtia  cuspidata,  McCoy  (1855),  Brit.  Pal.  Foss.,  466. 

Of  the  form  I  have  referred  with  doubt  to  the  above-mentioned  species, 
there  is  but  one  distorted  specimen  and  a  part  of  another  in  the  collection. 
It  seems  to  have  had,  before  distortion,  exactly  the  form,  size,  and  surface- 
characters  of  a  medium-sized  individual  of  S.  cuspidatus,  excepting  that  its 
high  area  is  arched  a  little  backward,  instead  of  being  merely  vertical  or 
slightly  arched  forward,  as  seems  to  be  generally  the  case  with  S,  cuspidatus. 
As  this,  however,  is  doubtless  a  more  or  less  variable  character,  unless 
known  to  be  constant  in  a  large  number  of  specimens,  and  to  be  accom- 


88  PALEONTOLOGY. 

panied  by  some  other  differences,  it  would  be  unsafe  to  view  our  shell  as 
belonging  to  a  distinct  species;  though  it  is  barely  possible  that  it  naay 
prove  to  be  such.  One  of  the  specimens  shows  that  it  has  the  transverse 
septum  and  the  split  tube  between  the  dental  laminse,  now  known  to  exist 
in  S.  cuspidatus,  I  have  not  been  able  yet  to  see  evidences  of  the  shell 
being  punctate,  though  I  have  not  given  it  a  thorougli  examination,  and 
believe  that  it  will  be  found  to  possess  that  character  also. 

Locality  and  position. — White  Pine  Moui^tains,  Treasure  Hill,  Nevada ; 
exact  position  not  known,  but  it  is  believed  to  have  come  from  a  gi'ay  semi- 
crystalline  limestone  holding  a  position  between  well-marked  Carboniferous 
and  Devonian  rocks,  and  probably  belanging  to  the  former  epoch. 

Spiuifer  (Trigonotreta)  opimus,  Hain. 

Plate  9,  fig.  6. 

Spirifer  opimus,  Hall  (1858),  Geol.  Eeportof  Iowa,  L  part  ii,  711,  pi.  xxviii,  figs.  1 «,  b. 

Splrifer  subventricosiis,  McObesney  (1860),  Descriptions  Kew  Palaeozoic  Fossils,  etc.,  44; 
and  Trans.  Chicago  Acad.,  I,  pi.  i,  fig,  4. 

Compare  SpiriferbisulcatuSj  Sowerby  (1825),  Min.  Conch.,  V,  152,  pi.  494,  figs.  1  and  2; 
also  8»  Rocky  montana,  Marcou  (1858),  N.  Am.  Geol.,  50,  pi.  vii,  hg^^,  4,  4  a-e  ; 
j8,  Keolculc^  Hall,  var.  (1858),  Iowa  Keport,  I,  pi.  xx,  and  pi.  xxv,  and  8.  incre- 
hescensj  Hall,  ib.,  pi.  xxvii,  figs.  6  a-i  ;  also  S,  Keokuk^  var.  SkelbyensiSj  Swal- 
low (18G7),  Trans.  St.  Louis  Acad.,  11. 

Shell  attaining  nearly  a  medium  size,  moderately  gibbous,  subequi- 
valve ;  hinge  about  equaling  the  greatest  breadth ;  lateral  extremities  sub- 
rectangular,  slightly  rounded,  or  more  or  less  than  rectangular;  front  having 
a  general  subsemicircular  outline,  sometimes  a  little  projecting  in  the  middle. 
Ventral  valve  most  convex  in  the  umbonal  region ;  beak  rather  pointed  and 
distinctly  incurved;  area  of  moderate  height,  strongly  striated  vertically, 
and  arched  with  the  beak ;  mesial  sinus  narrow,  rather  shallow,  and  nar- 
rowing gradually  to  the  apex  of  the  beak,  occupied  by  generally  four 
costsB,  a  little  smaller  than  those  on  each  side,  with  which  the  lateral  ones 
usually  coalesce  before  reaching  the  umbo ;  lateral  slopes  each  occupied  by 
from  eleven  to  thirteen,  most  generally  simple,  but  sometimes  in  part  bifur- 
cating costae,  crossed  on  well-preserved  specimens  by  moderately  distinct, 
undulating  marks  of  growth.  Dorsal  valve  most  convex  near  the  middle ; 
beak  strongly  incurved ;  mesial  fold  corresponding  in  size  and  form  with 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPBGIES.  gg 

the  sinus  of  the  other  valve,  and,  as  well  as  the  lateral  margins,  costated  in 
the  same  way. 

Length,  1  inch;  breadth,  about  1.30  inches. 

I  am  not  entirely  satisfied  that  this  shell  is  identical  with  S.  opimus, 
Hall ;  though,  so  far  as  the  specimens  afford  the  mean^  of  comparison,  it 
seems  to  present  no  constant  essential  differences.  Professor  HalFs  figure 
in  the  Iowa  report  represents  a  short  gibbous  form  of  the  shell  with  a 
rather  high  area;  but  collections  from  the  Coal-Measures  of  the  Western 
States  show  the  shell  to  vary  much  in  these  characters.  In  fact,  it  is  very 
questionable  whether  there  are  any  reliable  specific  differences  between  S, 
opimus  and  S.  Keokuk  (including  both  Professor  HalFs  varieties  of  the  latter) 
and  S,  subventricosusj  McChesney.  Again,  some  varieties  of  these  shells  very 
nearly  resemble  certain  forms  of  S.  increiescens^  Hall ;  while  several  of  the 
most  distinguished  European  authorities  consider  the  last-mentioned  form 
itself  identical  with  S,  bisulcatus,  Sowerby,  an  opinion  in  which  I  am  much 
inclined  to  concur.  It  will  also  be  noticed  that  our  figure  represents  a  shell 
almost  exactly  agreeing  with  some  varieties  of  8.  bisulcatus,  as  may  be  seen 
by  comparing  it  with  the  variety  of  that  species  illustrated  by  fig.  8, 
plate  vii,  of  Mr.  Davidson's  Monograph  of  British  Carboniferous  Brachio- 
poda.  S.  bisulcatus  J  seems  to  be,  from  the  published  illustrations,  a  variable 
form;  and,  according  -to  the  limits  assigned  it  by  European  authors, 
might,  so  far  as  can  be  determined  from  comparison  of  external  characters, 
take  in  all  of  the  proposed  species  and  varieties  mentioned  above.  Dr. 
White  considers  8.  opimuSy  Hall,  and  8,  Eocky-montana,  Marcou,  identical, 
which  may  or  may  not  be  so;  but  however  this  may  be,  there  is  about  as 
good  reason  for  viewing  all  of  the  shells  here  mentioned  as  varieties  of  8. 
bisulcatus^  Sowerby. 

As  I  have  not  the  necessary  specimens  at  hand  to  attempt  the  solution 
of  the  question  in  regard  to  the  relations  of  these  American  forms  to  each 
other  and  to  8.  bisulcatus,  I  have  merely  referred  our  shell  to  8.  opimus, 
Hall,  provisionally,  for  the  present. 

Locality  and  position. — Six  miles  south  of  Promontory  Station,  Promon- 
tory Mountains,  Railroad  Canon,  Moleen  Peak;  Mount  Nebo,  in  Utah, 
and  at  longitude  111^  38'  W.,  latitude  40^  22'  N.;   generally  found  in  a 


90  PALiBONTOLOGY. 

dark-colored  limestone.  There  are  specimens  in  the  collection,  however, 
from  Fossil  Hill,  White  Pine  District,  apparently  belonging  to  this  species, 
in  a  lighter-colored  matrix.  Everywhere  in  Carboniferous  beds;  and  either 
the  same  or  a  closely-allied  species  occurs  in  the  Coal-Measures  of  Illinois. 

Spirifer  (Trigonotreta)  scoBiNA,  Meek. 

Plate  9,  figs.  1, 1  a,  1  6,  1  c,  1  d. 

Spirifera  scohina.  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XIF,  310. 
iSpirifer  (Spiriferinaf)  scohina^  Meek  (1876),  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the 
Great  Basin  of  Utah,  351,  pL  ii,  figs.  5  a,  &,  o. 

Shell  attaining  a  moderately  large  size,  truncato-subcircular,  or 
approaching  subpentagonal,  rather  gibbous,  and  more  or  less  nearly  equi- 
valve,  with  length  and  breadth  scarcely  differing;  hinge-line  about  equal- 
ing, or  a  little  less  than  the  greatest  breadth,  and  generally  intersecting  the 
lateral  margins  at  rather  obtuse  angles;  outline  of  front  rounded,  a  little 
straightened,  or  probably  sometimes  slightly  sinuous  at  the  middle ;  lateral 
margins  rounding  to  the  front.  Ventral  valve  generally  a  little  more  con- 
vex than  the  other;  beak  not  very  prominent,  but  strongly  incurved;  area 
well  defined,  of  moderate  breadth  (height),  and  continued  to  the  extremities 
of  the  hinge,  more  or  less  arched  and  directed  a  little  obliquely  backward; 
foramen  wider  than  high;  mesial  sinus  narrow  and  very  shallow,  but  usually 
continued  nearly  to  the  beak,  occupied  at  the  front  by  about  five  smaller 
plications  than  those  on  the  lateral  slopes,  the  outer  ones  usually  coalescing 
with  the  larger  marginal  one  on  each  side  before  reaching  the  beak;  lateral 
slopes  each  occupied  by  about  eight  rather  depressed  costse,  which  are  wider 
than  the  furrows  between  them,  and  sometimes,  though  rarely,  bifurcate. 
Dorsal  valve  \Vith  beak  strongly  incurved;  mesial  fold  scarcely  defined, 
excepting  at  the  front,  where  it  is  flat,  and  ornamented  by  about  six  much 
depressed  costse,  which  coalesce  so  as  to  reduce  the  number  to  three  before 
reaching  the  beak;  lateral  slopes  each  occupied  by  about  eight  to  ten  rather 
broader,  depressed,  and  sometimes  bifurcating  costse,  as  in  the  other  valve. 
Surface  of  both  valves,  when  well  preserved,  showing  very  fine,  obscure, 
crowded,  and  undulating  striae  of  growth,  and  everywhere  covered  with 
closely  and  very  regularly  arranged  granules,  not  generally  readily  seen 
without  the  aid  of  a  magnifier. 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES  91 

Length,  1.90  inches;  breadth,  2  inches;  convexity,  1.30  inches. 

This  fine  species  may  be  compared  with  S.  bisulcatus  of  Sowerby,  some 
varieties  of  which  (especially  those  with  broad  depressed  costae)  it  more  or 
less  nearly  resembles.  It  seems,  however,  to  be  always  longer  in  propor- 
tion to  breadth,  and  is  much  less  variable  in  form.  The  most  reliable  dif- 
ference observable,  however,  is  the  beautifully -granulated  surface  of  our 
species.  I  know  of  no  nearly  similar  American  shell  with  which  it  is  neces- 
sary to  compare  it. 

Locality  and  position. — Light-colored  Carboniferous  limestone,  at  lati- 
tude 40''  N.,  longitude  115^  20'  W.;  Colonel  Simpson's  collections. 

Spirifer  (Trigonotreta)  cameratus,  Morton. 

Plate  9,  figs.  2,  2  a. 

Spirifer  eameratus,  Morton  (1836),  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  and  Arts,  XXIX,  150,  pi.  2,  fig.  3. — 
Hall  (1856),  Pacific  R.  K.  Report,  III,  102,  pi.  2,  figs.  9,  12,  and  13;  and  (1858) 
in  Iowa  Geological  Report,  I,  part  ii,  709,  pi.  xxviii,  fig.  2. — Meek  (1876),  in 
Col.  Simpson's  lleport  Bxpl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  353,  pi.  ii,  figs. 
3a,b. 

Spirifer  MeusebachanuSj  Roemer  (1852),  Kreid.  von  Texas,  88,  pi.  11,  figs.  7  fi,  &,  c. 

Spirifer  triplieatus^  Hall  (1852),  Stansbury's  Report  of  Salt  Lake  Bxpl.  Expedition,  410, 
pi.  2,  tig.  5  (by  error  pi.  4). 

?  Spirifer  fasciger^O^ ^n  (1852),  Report  Wisconsin  Iowa  and  Minnesota,  pi.  5,  fig.  4 
(Keyserlingf  (1846.) 

Spirifer  striatm  var.  triplicatm^  Marcou  (1858),  Geol.  N.  Am.,  49,  pi,  vii,  fig.  3. 

Spirifer  cameratus  var.  KansasensiSy  Swallow  (1867),  Trans.  Saint  Louis  Acad.  Sci.,  II. 

f  Spirifera  camerata,  Derby  (1874),  Bull.  Cornell  Univ.,  I,  No.  ii,  13,  pi.  i,  tigs.  1-9,  and  14. 

The  specimens  that  I  have  referred  to  this  common  species  are  all  more 
or  less  broken  or  distorted ;  but,  so  far  as  their  characters  can  be  made  out, 
they  seem  to  agree  so  nearly  with  characteristic  examples  of  Morton's  species 
from  the  Coal-Measures  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  that  I  have  scarcely  any 
doubts  of  their  identity.  They  all  have  the  peculiar  fasciculated  character 
of  the  costae,  so  characteristic  of  S.  cameratus^  more  or  less  marked,  while  in 
some  of  them  it  is  well  defined.  They  seem  to  have  the  mesial  fold  some- 
what less  prominent,  and  the  lateral  slopes  less  compressed  than  we  usually 
see  in  S.  cameratus;  but  these  are  more  or  less  variable  characters  in  that 
species. 

Locality  and  position. — Light-colored  Carboniferous  limestone,  at  Fos- 


92  PALEONTOLOGY. 

sil  Hill,  White  Pine  District;  also  from  same  in  the  Ruby  Group,  Nevada. 
Colonel  Simpson  likewise  brought  specimens  of  it  from  latitude  39^  33'  N  , 
longitude  115^  12'  W.,  where  it  seems  to  be  quite  abundant  in  the  same 
limestone. 

LAMELIJBRANCHIATA, 

PTERIID^. 
?  Genus  POSIDONOMYA,  Bronn. 

PoSIDONOMYAf  FRAGOSA,   Meek. 
Plate3,  fig3.  8,8  a. 

Shell  subovate,  compressed,  more  or  less  oblique,  very  thin  and  fragile ; 
hinge  short  and  apparently  varying  much  in  its  obliquity  to  the  longer  axis 
of  the  valves;  beaks  apparently  nearly  terminal;  posterior  basal  margin 
rounded.  Surface  with  irregular  concentric  undulations  and  striae,  usually 
most  distinct  on  the  central  region,  where  they  are  often  crossed  by  faintly- 
defined  radiating  costse,  which  sometimes  extend  nearly  to  the  posterior 
basal  margin. 

Length  of  one  of  the  largest  specimens  seen,  measuring  obliquely  in 
the  direction  of  the  longer  axis  of  the  valves,  l.lO  inches;  breadth  at  right 
angles  to  the  same,  abOut  0.80  inch. 

As  the  specimens  of  this  shell  in  the  collection  (or  at  least  all  that 
remains  of  the  shell)  are  extremely  thin  and  fragile,  and  flattened  between 
the  laminae  of  the  shale,  as  well  as  otherwise  distorted,  it  is  quite  probable 
that  it  may  be  found  necessary  to  modify  some  of  the  characters  given  in 
the  above  diagnosis  of  the  species.  Until  better  specimens  can  be  obtained 
for  examination,  its  generic  affinities  must  also  remain  doubtful,  though  I 
am  inclined  to  think  it  belongs  to  some  genus  at  least  allied  to  Posidonomya 
of  Bronn,  and  including  a  species  I  have  described  from  the  Coal-Measures 
of  Ohio  under  the  name  Posidonomya  frada ;  which  latter  also  occurs  in 
the  Coal-Measures  of  Illinois. 

[As  these  pages  are  going  through  the  press,  I  observe  that  Professor 
Hall  and  Mr.  Whitfield,  who  have  prepared  a  supplementary  report  on 
Mr.  King's  later  collections,  have  referred  this  shell  to  Lunulicardium  of 
Miinster  (see  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  and  Arts,  vol.  XI,  p.  479,  where  the  name  is, 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  93 

^y  ^  typographical  en-or,  printed  Lmulicardia).  As  stated  in  the  foi-egoing 
remarks,  the  specimens  examined  by  me  are  flattened  between  the  laminse 
of  shale,  and  therefore  in  a  very  unfavorable  condition  for  satisfactory 
generic  determination.  I  have  not  seen  them  since  writing  the  foregoing 
description,  six  years  back ;  and  the  old  work  in  which  Miinster  described 
the  genus  LunuUcardium  is  one  of  the  very  few  publications  of  the  kind 
that  I  have  never  yet  been  able  to  consult.  If  I  am  correctly  informed, 
the  hinge  of  LunuUcardium  is  unknown,  and  it  is  very  improbable  that  any 
specimens  of  the  shell  here  under  consideration  showing  the  hinge  have  yet 
been  found.  From  the  impressions  of  its  general  physiognomy,  however, 
left  on  my  mind,  it  would  seem  to  differ  much  from  the  general  external 
characters  of  LunuUcardium  excrescenSj  Miinster,  which  is  the  species  gen- 
erally figured  as  an  illustrative  example  of  the  genus.  That  it  is  certainly 
a  Posidonomya,  however,  I  have  never  asserted.] 

Locality  and  position. — White  Pine  Mountains  near  Hamilton,  Nevada; 
from  a  black  laminated  shale  of  Devonian  or  Carboniferous  age. 

Genus  AVICULOPECTEN,  McCoy. 

AVICULOPEGTEN    CATACTUS,   Meek. 
Plate  3,  figs.  10,  10  a  (and  10  b  ?). 

Shell  rather  under  medium  size,  much  compressed,  very  thin  and  hav- 
ing scarcely  any  degree  of  obliquity — exclusive  of  the  ears,  subovate  in 
outline  ;  hinge-margin  less  than  the  greatest  breadth ;  posterior  and  anterior 
margins  rounding  into  the  regularly-rounded  base.  Left  valve  compressed- 
convex  ;  ears  nearly  flat ;  the  posterior  one  not  distinctly  separated  from 
the  swell  of  the  umbo,  about  as  long  as  the  margin  below,  from  which  it  is 
separated  by  a  broad,  more  or  less  rounded,  moderately  deep  sinus,  which 
imparts  a  rather  acute  angularity  to  its  posterior  extremity ;  anterior  ear  a 
little  declining,  with  its  anterior  margin  slightly  convex  in  outline,  but  ter- 
minating nearly  in  a  right  angle  above,  and  defined  below  by  a  rather  shal- 
low, obtusely  angular  sinus  ;  beak  slightly  nearer  the  anterior  side,  project- 
ing a  little  above  the  hinge,  and  incurved,  but  not  oblique.  Right  valve 
nearly  flat,  and  having  the  same  general  outline  as  the  other,  excepting 
that  its  beak  is  much  less  distinct  from  the  hinge-margin,  and  the  sinus 


94  PALEONTOLOGY. 

under  the  anterior  ear  is  very  deep,  sharply  defined,  narrow,  and  directed 
obliquely  backward  toward  the  beak.  Surface  of  left  valve  ornamented  by 
small,  generally  simple,  depressed,  radiating  costsa,  between  each  two  of 
which  there  is  one,  or  on*  some  parts  two  or  three,  smaller  linear  ribs,  that 
usually  die  out  before  reaching  the  beaks ;  while  small  concentric  wrinkles 
are  also  usually  more  or  less  defined  on  the  body-portion  of  the  valve,  so 
as  to  impart  a  faintly  tubercular  appearance  to  the  costse  at  the  points 
where  they  cross ;  radiating  costae  on  the  ears,  merely  small  raised  lines, 
rather  distantly  separated,  and  crossed  at  regular  intervals  by  little  sharply- 
elevated  lines,  parallel  to  the  free  borders,  so  as  to  produce  a  more  or  less 
cancellated  style  of  ornamentation.  Surface  of  right  valve  (fig.  10  &)  with 
radiating  costse  (excepting  one  separating  the  posterior  ear  from  the  body  of 
the  valve,  and  those  on  the  anterior  ear,  which  are  larger  than  the  others)  all 
small,  and  of  nearly  uniform  size.  Lines  of  growth  very  minute  and  ob- 
scure on  both  valves ;  though  the  right  valve  has  some  strong  concentric 
furrows. 

Height  of  one  of  the  largest  specimens,  0.88  inch  ;  breadth  of  the  same, 
0.89  inch;  length  of  hinge-line,  0.64  inch. 

This  species  is  evidently  allied  to  Aviculopeden  occidentalis  (=  Peden 
occidentalism  Shumard,  zz:  P.  Cleavelandicus,  Swallow),  a  very  common  and 
widely-distributed  species  in  the  Coal-Measures  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
It  is  a  much  thinner  and  more  compressed  shell,  however,  and  always 
without  any  traces  of  the  subimbricating  concentric  lamellai  of  growth, 
generally  seen  on  well-preserved  left  valves  of  that  species,  and  some- 
times even  rising  as  little  vaulted  scales  on  the  costse,  especially  on  those 
of  the  anterior  ear  and  near  it.  From  A,  Lyelli  of  Dawson,  described 
from  the  Lower  Carboniferous  rocks  of  Nova  Scotia  (which  I  am  much  in- 
clined to  think  not  distinct  from  A.  occidentalism  Shumard),  it  differs  in  the 
same  characters  distinguishing  it  from  the  latter.  Compared  with  A.  recti- 
laterarius  of  Cox  (sp.),  it  will  be  seen  to  differ  not  only  in  its  deeply  sinu- 
ous posterior  margin,  and  the  consequent  acutely  angular  character  of  its 
posterior  ear,  but  in  having  two  sets  of  costae ;  that  is,  a  larger  and  a 
smaller  set,  generally  alternating.  It  is  probably  most  nearly  allied  to  A. 
Goxanus,  Meek  and  Worthen,  from  the  Coal-Measures  of  Illinois;  with  which 


OAEBONIFEROC7S  SPECIES.  95 

it  agrees  ia  its  extreme  thinness  as  well  as  in  general  appearance.  It,  how- 
ever, attains  a  larger  size,  and  has  proportionally  larger  costae ;  while  its 
surface  does  not  show,  under  a  magnifier,  the  fine,  regular,  and  distinct 
striae  of  growth  seen  on  that  species.  • 

Among  foreign  species,  it  seems  to  be  most  nearly  represented  hy  Avi- 
culopecten  papyraceus,  Sowerby  (sp.);  which,  however,  is  a  much  larger, 
more  oblique  shell,  with  very  differently  formed  ears,  as  illustrated  by  Sow- 
erby. In  the  form  of  its  posterior  ear,  as  well  as  in  some  other  characters, 
it  agrees  more  nearly  with  a  shell  from  the  Coal-Measures  of  Belgium,  fig- 
ured by  Professor  De*  Koninck  (An.  Fos.  Belg.,  plate  v,  figs.  6  a,  6),  and 
by  him  referred  to  A.  papyraceus,  Sowerby ;  though  it  differs  materially  in 
other  respects.  If  the  figures  published  by  Sowerby  and  De  Koninck,  of 
the  forms  illustrated  by  them  under  the  name  Avicula  papyracea,  are  exactly 
correct,  I  should  think  they  represent  two  distinct  species.  At  least,  none 
of  our  analogous  species  in  this  country  present,  among  hundreds  of  individ- 
uals,  such  marked  differences  as  are  seen  between  their  published  figures. 

Locality  and  position, — From  a  black  bituminous  shale  at  Hamilton, 
White  Pine  Mountains,  Nevada ;  of  Devonian  or  Carboniferous  age. 

AvicuLOPECTEN  Utahensis,  Meek. 

Plate  9,  figs.  7,  7  a,  7  6  (and  7  c,  d  ?). 
Peeten  Utakensis,  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  310. 
Aviculopecten  DtahensiSj  Meek  (1876),  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great 
Basin  of  Utah,  354,  pi.  i,  figs.  9  a,  9  b. 

Shell  of  about  medium  size,  suborbicular,  compressed,  thin,  not  oblique; 
hinge-line  straight,  equaling  about  one-half  to  two-thirds  the  antero-poste- 
rior  diameter  of  the  valves ;  pallial  margin  regularly  rounded.  Left  valve 
compressed,  or  moderately  convex;  ears  rather  small,  flattened  so  as  to  be 
more  or  less  distinct  from  the  slight  convexity  of  the  umbo,  each  separated 
from  the  margin  by  a  shallow,  olTtusely  angular  notch,  of  which  the  one 
under  the  anterior  ear  is  rather  more  distinctly  defined ;  anterior  ear  nearly 
rectangular  at  the  extremity,  with  a  slightly  convex  anterior  margin; 
posterior  ear  generally  more  obliquely  truncated ;  beak  small,  rather  com- 
pressed, not  projecting  above  the  hinge,  and  placed  at  or  slightly  in  advance 
of  the  middle  of  the  cardinal  margin,  with  its  lateral  slopes  diverging  at  an 


96  PALEONTOLOGY. 

angle  of  about  95^;  surface  ornamented  by  rather  obscure,  unequal,  radi- 
ating costae,  and  numerous,  very  regular,  extremely  fine,  concentric  striae, 
scarcely  visible  without  the  aid  of  a  magnifier ;  costse  not  defined  on  the 
ears,  or  usually  on  the  adjacent  lateral  margins,  and  most  frequently 
arranged  with  from  one  to  thn^e  smaller  ones  between  each  two  of  the 
largest,  the  middle  one  of  the  three  smaller  being  sometimes  a  little  larger 
than  the  smallest  one  on  each  side.  Eight  valve  as  convex  as  the  other,  or 
sometinaes  more  compressed,  but  without  traces  of  radiating  costae  or  striae  ; 
ears  of  the  same  size,  and  nearly  of  the  same  form  as  in  the  other  valve, 
excepting  that  the  anterior  one  is  defined  by  a  deeper  marginal  notch. 

Length,  or  antero-posterior  diameter  of  a  large  specimen,  1.70  inches; 
height  of  the  same,  1.73  inches;  convexity  of  left  valve,  0.25  inch. 

I  am  not  positively  sure  that  the  two  valves  described  above  belong  to 
the  same  species,  not  having  seen  them  in  any  instance  united.  The  fact, 
however,  that  they  occur  together  in  the  same  matrix,  and  have  the  same 
form,  and  do  not  differ  very  greatly  in  size,  while  the  smooth  specimens  are 
all  right  valves,  and  the  costated  ones  left  valves,  leaves  little  room  for 
doubting  that  they  are  the  opposite  valves  of  the  same  species.  The  most 
obvious  characters  of  this  shell  are  its  nearly  circular  form,  subequal  ears, 
and  the  very  fine,  regular,  concentric  striae,  and  unequal  radiating  costae 
of  its  left  valve.  I  know  of  no  other  species  nearly  enough  allied  to  render 
a  comparison  necessary. 

The  form  to  which  the  costate  valves  belong  may  be  considered  the 
type  of  the  species,  in  case  the  smooth  valves  should  prove  to  belong  to  a 
diffierent  shell. 

Locality  and  position, — In  light-colored  Carboniferous  limestone,  at 
latitude  39°  33'  N.,  longitude  115°  12'  W.;  Colonel  Simpson's  collection. 

AVICULOPECTEN    OCCIDANETJS,   Meek. 
Plate  12,  figs.  13,  13  a,  13  5. 

Shell  small,  usually  very  little  oblique,  broad  ovate-suborbicular  in  out- 
line exclusive  of  the  ears ;  hinge  shorter  than  the  antero-posterior  diameter; 
pallial  margin  more  or  less  regularly  rounded,*  but  generally  a  little  more 
prominent  behind  the  middle  than  before.     Left  valve  moderately  convex; 


CARBONIFEROUS  SPECIES.  97 

beak  pointed,  convex,  nearly  central,  projecting  slightly  beyond  the  hinge- 
margin,  and  somewhat  incurved;  ears  nearly  equal,  compressed;  the  anterior 
one,  which  is  nearly  rectangular  at  the  extremity,  generally  separated  from 
the  swell  of  the  umbo  by  a  broad,  rather  deeper  concavity,  which  is  continued 
to  the  margin,  to  which  it  imparts  a  slight  sinuosity  under  the  ear ;  posterior 
ear  a  little  larger  than  the  other,  but  not  extending  back  as  far  as  the  margin 
of  the  valve  below,  in  some  examples  apparently  less  than  rectangular  at  the 
extremity,  and  in  others  more,  in  consequence  of  the  more  or  less  sinuous 
character  of  the  margin.  Surface  ornamented  by  small,  raised,  simple,  radi- 
ating costse,  or  striae,  about  every  fourth  to  every  seventh  one  of  which 
(especially  on  the  body-part)  is  a  little  larger  and  more  prominent  than  the 
others;  whilethose  on  the  ears,  particularly  on  the  anterior  one,  are  all  smaller^ 
though  they  are  generally  well  defined  on  both  ears;  a  few  very  small,  irregu- 
lar, concentric  marks  of  growth  may  also  sometimes  be  seen  crossing  the 
surface  of  the  body-part  of  the  valve.     Right  valve  not  certainly  known. 

Height  of  one  of  the  medium-sized  specimens  of  a  left  valve,  0.44  inch; 
breadth,  0.37  inch;  convexity,  0.10  inch. 

I  am  not  sure  that  I  have  seen  any  right  valves  of  this  species.  There 
are  among  the  specimens  some  imperfect  examples  that  would  seem,  from 
the  direction  of  the  very  slight  obliquity,  to  be  right  valves.  But  owing  to 
the  fact  that  they  are  generally  quite  as  convex  as  others  that  are  certainly 
left  valves,  and  have  exactly  the  same  surface-markings,  while  the  ears,  as 
nearly  as  their  form  can  be  made  out,  would  also  indicate  that  they  are 
left  valves  somewhat  distorted  so  as  to  change  their  slight  obliquity,  I 
am  led  to  regard  them  as  such.  The  most  characteristic  features  of  the 
species  are  its  rather  small  size,  nearly  equal  ears,  and  small  radiating 
costae,  always  increasing  by  intercalation,  with  every  fourth,  fifth,  sixth,  or 
seventh  one  on  the  body  of  the  valves  (at  least  the  left  one)  a  little  larger 
and  more  prominent  than  the  others. 

The  reason  why  this  and  some  other  Carboniferous  and  possibly  some 
Jurassic  forms  are  figured  together  on  the  lower  half  of  plate  12  is  else- 
where explained.     (See  note  on  explanations  of  plate  12.) 

Locality  and  position, — Weber  Caiion,  Wasatch  Range;  Upper  Coal- 
Measure  limestone. 
7  p  n 


98  PALEONTOLOGY. 

CEPHALOPODA. 

GONIATITID^. 

Genus  GONIATITES,  De  Haan. 
GoNiATiTES  aoNiOLOBUS,  Meek. 

Plate  9,  figs.  5,  5  a,  5  6. 

Shell  distinctly  discoid,  with  (in  internal  casts)  a  narrowly-rounded 
periphery;  volutions  compressed  laterally,  with  slightly  convex  sides,  the 
greatest  convexity  being  a  little  within  the  middle;  about  twice  as  wide  in 
the  dorso-ventral  diameter  as  at  right  angles  to  the  same;  each  turn  em- 
bracing all  the  others,  so  as  to  leave  only  a  very  small  umbilicus,  showing 
none  of  the  inner  volutions.  Septa  closely  and  very  regularly  arranged, 
but  nowhere  in  contact  or  lapping  upon  each  other;  siphonal  lobe  (gener- 
ally called  the  dorsal  lobe)  very  large,  and  profoundly  divided  into  two 
large,  elongated,  acutely-pointed  terminal  branches,  v/hich  lap  so  far  over 
each  side  of  the  volutions  as  to  appear  each  like  a  large  lateral  lobe; 
while  between  these  there  is  a  third  minute  central  projection;  first  lateral 
sinus  very  deep,  elongate-conical,  very  acutely  angular  at  the  extremity, 
and  arched  or  obliquely  curved  toward  the  umbilical  side;  second  lateral 
lobe  of  much  the  same  form  as  the  divisions  of  the  siphonal  lobe,  but  a  little 
shorter;  second  lateral  sinus  wider  than  the  lateral  lobe,  but  more  shallow, 
and  merely  forming  a  broad  forward  arch  to  the  umbilicus.  Surface  of 
internal  oast  without  nodes,  costae,  or  angles. 

Greatest  diameter  of  a  specimen,  with  the  body-chamber  broken  away, 
3.07  inches;  convexity,  0.87  inch;  breadth  of  outer  volution,  measuring  in 
the  direction  of  the  plane  of  the  shell,  1.72  inches. 

Excepting  in  being  more  compressed,  with  a  more  narrowly  rounded 
periphery,  this  species  has  much  the  general  appearance  externally  of  G, 
rotatoriuSj  De  Koninck.  Its  septa  are  more  closely  approximated,  however, 
and  differ  remarkably  in  having*  the  siphonal  lobe  so  enormously  developed, 
and  so  wide  and  deeply  divided  as  to  lap  over  on  the  sides  far  enough  to 
cause  its  large,  acutely-pointed  terminal  branch  on  each  side,  to  appear,  in  a 
side-view,  like  a  first  lateral  lobe;  while  the  first  lateral  lobe  is  thus,  as  it 
were,  crowded  much  farther  inward,  and  appears  like  a  second  lateral  lobe. 


UPPER  TRIASSIO  SPECIES.  99 

From  this  structure,  each  side  of  the  fossil  looks  very  much  as  if  there  were 
two  large,  sharply-angular  lateral  lobes,  where  there  is  really  only  one.* 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  I  have  seen  belongs  to  the  Museum 
of  the  General  Land-Office  at  Washington.  It  is  an  internal  cast,  com- 
posed of  a  deep  brownish-red  oxyd  of  iron,  but  shows  all  the  characters  of 
the  species,  excepting  the  surface-markings  (if  there  were  any),  very  clearly. 

Locality  and  position. — It  is  only  known  that  the  specimen  came  from 
New  Mexico.     From  its  affinities,  it  would  seem  to  be  of  Carboniferous  age. 


UPPER  TRIASSIO  SPEOIES. 

MOLLUSCA. 

BRACHIOPODA. 

DISOINID^. 

Genus  DISCINA,  Lamarck. 

DisciNA,  sp.  undetermined. 

Plate  10,  figs.  3,  3  a, 

I  only  know  this  shell  from  two  specimens  of  the  under  valve,  and 
these  show  only  the  inner  side.  They  have  a  subcircular  or  broad  subovate 
outline,  being  slightly  narrower  posteriorly  than  in  front.     The  anterior 

*  The  contrast  in  the  structure  of  the  septa  of  the  typical  Goniatites,  such  as 
G.  spJiccricus^  De  Elaan,  and  the  species  here  described,  with  their  deep,  acutely 
angular  lateral  lobes,  and  those  older  species,  such  as  0.  expansm  or  Marsellensis^ 
Vanuxem,  with  the  septa  making  merely  a  broad  backward  curve  across  each  side, 
without  any  lateral  lobes,  is  very  striking.  It  may  therefore  be  convenient  to  separate 
these  more  simple  types  (the  H^autilini  of  authors)  as  a  distinct  subgenus  on  this 
structure  of  the  septa  and  other  characters.  I  would  therefore  propose  for  this  group 
the  subgeneric  name  Agoniatites^  with  Goniatites  [Agoniatites]  expansus^  or  Marselleiisis^ 
of  Vanuxem,  as  the  type.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  there  are,  among  the  known 
species  with  this  simple  structure  of  the  septa,  forms  that  might  be  properly  separated 
from  the  group  including  G.  expansus  on  other  characters,  as  that  species  presents 
some  striking  peculiarities  in  its  development,  the  young  having  its  periphery  rounded 
with  a  double  groove  and  a  ridge  between,  and  the  sides  marked  with  arching  undula- 
tions, while  in  the  adult,  the  undulations  become  obsolete,  and  the  periphery  flattened, 
with  distinct  angles.     G.  Bokemicus  of  Barrande  belongs  to  this  group. 


100  PALEONTOLOGY. 

central  region  is  concave  on  the  inside,  and  the  posterior  convex  and  pierced 
by  the  fissure,  which  is  rather  short,  with  its  inner  end  about  equidistant 
from  the  posterior  margin  and  from  the  middle  of  the  valve;  though  its  inner 
end  terminates  at  the  center  of  growth,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  concentric 
arrangement  of  the  fine  obscure  striae  of  growth  observable  on  the  interior. 

Antero-posterior  diameter,  0.62  inch;  breadth,  0.58  inch. 

The  species  of  this  genus  are  so  difficult  to  distinguish  without  a  good 
series  of  specimens,  that  I  have  been  unable  to  satisfy  myself  that  this  is 
new,  or  to  identify  it  with  any  known  species,  and  therefore  merely  give  a 
figure  of  it,  as  one  of  the  forms  found  in  the  rocks  at  the  locality  men- 
tioned below.     If  new,  however,  it  may  be  called  D.  Utahensis. 

Locality  and  position, — Weber  Canon,  Wasatch  Range;  Triassic. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

PTEEIID^. 

Genus  HALOBIA,  Bronn. 
Halobia  (Daonella)  Lommelt,'  Wissmanu. 

Plate  10,  fig  5. 

Halobia  Lommelt,  Wissmaiin  (1841),  Beitr.  Petref.,  IV.  Heft,  22,  tab.  16,  fig.  11.— 
Horness  (1855),  Densk.  Kais.  Akad.  Wissensch.,  IX,  52,  taf.  ii,  fig.  17.— 
Zittel,  Fossile  Moll,  und  Echinoderraen  aus  Neii-Seeland,  27,  taf.  vi,  figs. 
1  a,  &,  c— Stoliczka  (1866),  Mem.  Geol.  Survey  India,  Y,  44. 

Avicula  pectiniformis^GatuWo  (1847),  Prodr.  Pal.  Alpi  Veu.,  73,  pi.  i,  figs.  1,  2,  3. 

Posidonomya  Lommelij  d'Orbiguy  (1840),  Prodr.  de  Pal^ont.  Stratigr.  Univ.,  I,  201. 

f  Halobia  f  duhiaj  Gabb  (1864),  Geol.  Survey  California,  I  (Palteont.),  30,  pi.  5,  ^gs. 
28  «,  b. 

Baonella  duUa^  Mojsisovics  (1874),  Ueber  die  Trascb.  Pelicyp.-Gatt.  Paouella  und 
Halobia^  22. 

Shell  truncato-subcircular,  very  much  compressed,  and  very  slightly 
oblique,  nearly  or  quite  equivalve,  and  but  slightly  inequilateral,  the  ante- 
rior side  being  a  little  shorter  than  the  other;  hinge  somewhat  shorter  than 
the  valves ;  anterior  and  posterior  margins  intersecting  the  hinge  at  obtuse 
angles,  the  latter  more  obliquely  than  the  other,  both  rounding  into  the 
more  or  less  regularly  rounded  base;  posterior  basal  margin  more  promi- 
nent than  the  anterior ;   beaks  very  small  and  inconspicuous,  with  their 


UPPER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES.  101 

small  abruptly-pointed  apices  scarcely  projecting  above  the  hinge  and  turned 
slightly  forward.  Surface  marked  off,  as  it  were,  into  more  or  less  wide, 
irregular,  flat  radiating  costse,  by  much  narrower  or  merely  linear  furrows, 
the  ribs  themselves  being  sometimes  also  more  or  less  subdivided  by  much 
finer  furrows;  ribs  often  obsolete  near  the  hinge,  both  before  and  behind  the 
beaks,  but  sometimes  one  or  both  of  these  spaces  are  occupied  by  fine  irregu- 
lar costse;  a  few  very  faint  concentric  marks  of  growth  also  usually  occur 
near  the  beaks. 

Length  of  large  specimens,  apparently  about  2.30  inches;  height,  about 
1.60  inches. 

Although  this  shell  seems  to  have  been  quite  abundant,  none  of  the 
specimens  contained  in  the  collection  show  the  entire  outline,  though  its 
general  form  can  be  pretty  nearly  inferred  from  the  faint  undulations  of 
growth.  It  is  possible  that  a  comparison  of  specimens  might  show  this  shell 
to  be  distinct,  but  I  have  been  unable  to  find  any  greater  difi*erences,  even 
in  the  most  unimportant  details,  between  these  specimens  and  the  figures  of 
the  European  form,  than  I  observe  among  the  specimens  themselves,  and 
between  the  figures  of  H.  Lommelij  published  by  different  authors. 

I  see  Professor  Mojsisovics  refers  Halobia  Lommeli  of  Wissmann,  and 
//.  dKhiUj  Gabb,  to  his  newly-proposed  genus  Baonella,  I  am  not  very  well 
acquainted  with  the  type-species  of  Bronn's  genus  Halobia;  his  figured  speci- 
men, as  well  as  those  illustrated  by  Professor  Mojsisovics,  being  quite  im- 
perfect. If  I  can  be  permitted  to  judge,  however,  from  the  figures  of  sev- 
eral other  species  referred  to  Halobia  and  Daonella  by  Professor  Mojsisovics, 
there  would  seem  to  be  such  a  series  of  intermediate  gradations  between 
these  two  groups  as  to  leave  the  impression  that  they  are  hardly  more  than 
subgenerically  distinct,  if  even  that.  The  only  difference  seems  to  be  that  in 
the  typical  species  oi  Daonella  (D,  Moussoni)  the  lateral  margins  round  into  the 
straight  dorsal  border,  while  in  the  species  referred  by  Professor  Mojsisovics 
to  Halobia^  they  meet  the  straight  dorsal  edge  at  more  or  less  obtuse  angles; 
and  on  the  anterior  side  the  cardinal  margin  is  compressed,  or  has  an  oblique 
furrow,  indicating  a  slight  tendency  to  form  an  obscure  anterior  auricle, 
defined  by  the  faintest  possible  indication  of  a  marginal  sinus.  With  these 
exceptions,  the  diagnoses  of  the  two  groups  are  precisely  the  same. 


102  PALAEONTOLOGY, 

Locality  and  position. — West  of  New  Pass  Mines,  Desatoya  Mountains, 
Cottonwood  Canon,  West  Humboldt  Eange,  Nevada. 

LUCmiD^, 

Genus  SPHiERA,  Sowerby. 

SpHuERA  Whitneyi,  Meek. 

Plato  10,  figs.  4,  4  a,  4  &,  4  c. 

Shell  subcircular,  almost  exactly  equilateral,  rather  convex,  basal,  ante- 
rior, and  posterior  margins  forming  together  a  regular  semicircular  curve ; 
dorsal  margin  somewhat  straightened  and  nearly  horizontal,  or  apparently 
sometimes  sloping  slightly  from  the  beaks,  rounding  rather  abruptly  into 
the  anterior  and  less  distinctly  so  into  the  posterior  margins;  beaks  rather 
depressed,  or  moderately  prominent,  obtuse,  nearly  central,  and  without 
visible  general  obliquity,  but  with  the  incurved  immediate  points  directed  a 
little  obliquely  forward;  surface  only  showing  obscure  lines  of  growth. 

Length  of  largest  specimen  seen,  1.65  inches;  height,  1,54  inches;  con- 
vexity, 0.86  inch. 

None  of  the  specimens  of  this  shell  give  any  clew  to  the  nature  of  its 
hinge  or  interior;  but,  from  its  general  external  characters,  I  am  led  to  refer 
it  to  Sphcera^  though  I  am  aware  that  it  might,  so  far  as  can  be  seen,  with 
almost  equal  propriety  be  referred  to  Unicardium,  or  any  one  of  several  other 
genera.  Some  varieties  of  it  resemble  Idicina  anceps  of  Laube  (see  Fauna 
der  Sch.  von  St  Cassian,  taf.  xv,  figs.  4,  4  a);  but  it  is  evidently  not  a  Lu- 
cina.  It  also  differs  in  attaining  a  much  larger  size,  and  in  wanting  the 
peculiar  sinuous  character  of  the  anterior  ventral  margin,  so  distinctly  marked 
in  Laube's  shell. 

It  is  possible  that  our  largest  specimen  represented  by  fig.  4  c  may  be 
a  distinct  species  from  the  smaller  typical  forms  represented  by  figs.  4  and  4  a. 

Locality  and  position, — Buena  Vista  Cafion,  West  Humboldt  Range,  Ne- 
vada; Upper  Trias. 


UPPER  TRIASSIO  SPECIES.  103 

MYT1LIDJ5. 
!  Genus  MODIOMORPHA,  H.  &  W. 

MODIOMOUPHA  ?  OVATA,  Meek. 
Plate  10,  figs.  1  and  1  a. 

Shell  obliquely  ovate,  much  compressed;  posterior  side  wider  than  the 
anterior,  and  broadly  rounded  in  outline;  anterior  margin  narrowly  rounded 
above  and  sloping  backward  below;  base  prominently  rounded  behind  the 
middle,  rounding  regularly  into  the  posterior  outline,  and  sloping  up  ante- 
riorly from  behind  the  middle,  with  some  appearance  of  being  slightly 
gaping  in  advance  of  the  middle;  cardinal  border  shorter  than  the  valves, 
and  passing,  by  more  or  less  gradual  curves,  into  the  anterior  and  posterior 
margins,  ranging  obliquely  to  the  longer  axis  of  the  shell;  beaks  depressed 
nearly  upon  a  line  with  the  hinge-margin  before  and  behind  them,  com- 
pressed and  located  about  one-third  the  length  of  the  valves  from  the  ante- 
rior extremity.  Surface  showing  only  moderately  distinct  concentric  lines, 
with  sometimes  very  obscure  undulations  of  growth.  (Hinge  and  interior 
unknown.) 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  in  the  collection  are  all  right  valves,  and  have 
the  anterior  ventral  margin  bent  inward  a  little,  so  that  if  the  other  valve 
presented  the  same  character  the  lower  margin,  somewhat  in  front  of  the 
middle,  must  have  been  more  or  less  gaping.  Without  seeing  its  hinge  and 
interior,  we  can  only  guess  at  its  affinities.  In  general  appearance,  it 
reminds  one  of  some  of  the  broad  compressed  species  of  Modiolopsis  from 
the  Silurian;  but  it  is  apparently  as  nearly  like  some  of  the  species  included 
in  the  new  Devonian  and  Carboniferous  genus  Modiomorpha.  That  it  really 
belongs  to  either  of  these  genera,  however,  is  at  least  improbable,  and  the 
chances  are  in  favor  of  the  conclusion  that  it  will  be  found  to  belong  to  an 
undescribed  genus.     If  so,  I  would  propose  for  it  the  name  Modiolina, 

Locality  and  position. — ^North  fork  of  Bueua  Vista  Canon,  West  Hum- 
boldt Eange;  Upper  Trias. 

MoDiOMOEPHA !  LATA,  Meek. 

Plate  10,  fig.  2. 

Shell  transversely  ovate,  moderately  convex  in  the  central  and  um- 
bonal  regions,  and  compressed  behind ;  posterior  side  distinctly  wider  than  the 


1 04  PALEONTOLOGY. 

anterior,  rather  broadly  and  regularly  rounded  in  outline;  base  semi-ovate, 
being  more  prominent  behind,  where  it  rounds  up  regularly  into  the  poste- 
rior margin,  while  it  is  somewhat  straightened  and  sloping  up  gradually  for- 
ward; anterior  end  short,  and  truncated  a  little  obliquely  forward  above 
from  the  beaks  to  the  anterior  basal  extremity,  which  is  abruptly  rounded 
or  subangular  in  outline ;  hinge-margin  straight,  about  half  as  long  as  the 
shell,  and  rounding  into  the  posterior  margin  behind,  but  not  extending  for- 
ward beyond  the  beaks,  which  are  slightly  tumid,  obtuse,  depressed,  and 
located  only  about  one-fifth  the  length  of  the  shell  from  tlie  anterior 
extremity.  Surface  showing  obscure  lines-  of  growth.  (Hinge  and  anterior 
unknown.) 

Length,  1.30  inches;  height,  0.95  inch;  convexity  (of  left  valve  only), 
0.20  inch. 

Judging  from  external  appearances  only,  this  shell  seems  to  be  con- 
generic with  the  last;  but,  as  nothing  is  known  of  the  nature  of  its  hinge  and 
internal  characters,  I  am  equally  in  the  dark  in  regard  to  its  affinities.  As 
it  resembles  some  of  the  forms  included  in  the  genera  Modiomorpha, 
I  have  referred  it  provisionally  to  that  group,  until  its  generic  charac- 
ters can  be  determined.  It  is  a  more  convex  shell  than  the  last,  and  also 
differs  in  having  its  anterior  end  obliquely  truncated  above,  instead  of  be- 
ing  extended,  rounded,  and  compressed  in  front  of  the  beaks. 

Locality  and  position, — Same  as  last. 

CEPHALOPODA. 

OETHOCEEATITID^. 

Genus  ORTHOCERAS,  Auct. 

Orthooeras  Blakei,  Gabb?. 

Plate  10,  fig.  11. 
Orihoceras  Blakei,  Gabb  (1864),  Geol.  Survey  of  California.  I  (Palseont.),  19,  fig.  1. 

The  specimens  here  referred  doubtfully  to  the  above  species  consist 
merely  of  two  fragments,  one  of  which  seems  to  have  belonged  toward  the 
posterior  part  of  the  shell,  though  not  showing  the  septa,  and  the  other  is  a 
part  of  the  body-chamber.     The  first  is  gradually  tapering,  with  a  circular 


UPPER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES.  105 

section,  and  the  other  seems  to  have  been  almost  exactly  cylindrical,  and 
is  somewhat  compressed,  though  evidently  by  accidental  pressure.  It  also 
shows  some  appearances  of  a  slight  constriction  at  the  aperture,  arid  has,  in 
the  cast,  a  raised  line  along  the  ventral  side,  as  w^e  often  see  in  palaeozoic 
species.  As  there  are  no  appearances  of  septa,  I  have  sometimes  suspected 
that  it  may  possibly  be  the  cast  of  a  Belemnite  ;  but  it  seems  not  to  be. 

Not  having  had  an  opportunity  to  compare  good  specimens  of  0. 
Blakei  with  European  species  from  the  same  horizon,  I  have  formed  no 
opinion  in  regard  to  its  relations  to  the  latter,  and  merely  refer  the  form 
under  consideration  doubtfully  to  Mr.  Grabb's  species,  because  it  came  from 
the  same  region  and  the  same  geological  position;  while  the  specimens 
present  no  characters  inconsistent  with  the  conclusion  that  they  belong  to 
the  species  described  by  Mr.  Gabb. 

Locality  and  position, — Ridge  above  Cottonwood  Canon,  West  Hum- 
boldt Range;  Upper  Trias. 

AMMONITOID  FORMS  OF  THE  UPPER  TRIAS  OF  NEVADA. 

In  examining  the  shells  of  the  above-mentioned  types,  in  Mr.  King's 
collection  from  the  Upper  Trias,  or  possibly  in  part  from  the  Lower  Lias 
of  Nevada,  it  soon  became  evident  that  none  of  them  would  fall  properly 
into  the  genus  Ammonites  as  the  latest  methods  of  classification  will  require 
that  group  to  be  restricted.  It  was  also  equally  manifest  that  the  same 
principles  of  generic  Hmitation  would  require  the  estabhshment  of  new 
genera  for  the  reception  of  some  of  the  species.  Having  neither  the  neces- 
sary material  at  hand,  nor  the  time  nor  inclination,  merely  for  the  classifica- 
tion of  a  few  species,  to  enter  upon  the  study  and  revision  of  the  whole 
group  of  Triassic  and  Liassic  Ammonitoid  types,  I  proposed,  after  separat- 
ing and  writing  out  full  descriptions  of  the  species,  to  send  the  specimens  to 
Professor  Hyatt  (who  has  long  made  an  especial  study  of  these  older  forms 
of  this  great  group  of  extinct  Molluscs),  with  the  view  of  having  them  com- 
pared with  the  splendid  series  of  European  forms  in  the  Cambridge  Museum 
of  Comparative  Zoology ;  the  understanding  being  that  he  should  name  and 
describe  the  new  genera,  and  that  I  should  describe  the  species  and  refer 


106  PALEONTOLOGY. 

them  to  the  same.  To  this  Professor  Hyatt  kindly  assented,  and  I  now  give 
his  descriptions  of  the  new  genera,  and  remarks  on  some  of  the  species; 
placing  his  initials  (A.  H.),  wherever  quotations  are  made  from  his  manu- 
script 

I  should  remark,  however,  that  I  had  already  identified  among  the 
specimens,  the  following  genera,  viz.,  Trachyceras^  Clydonites,  and  ArcesteSj 
and  referred  the  species  to  forms  figured  and  described  by  Mr.  Gabb  in  the 
Palaeontology  of  California,  ranging  them  under  the  above-mentioned 
genera. 

It  would  be  superfluous  for  me  to  attempt  the  expression  here  of  any 
opinion  of  my  own  in  regard  to  the  propriety  of  the  subdivision  of  the  old 
genus  Ammonites  into  such  a  great  number  of  genera,  and  even  families,  as 
is  done  in  the  new  classifications,  since  I  have  never  made  an  especial  study 
of  this  extensive  group  of  shells  with  the  view  of  forming  an  opinion  on  this 
point.  I  can  therefore  only  say  that  Professor  Hyatt's  conclusions  have  not 
been  lightly  adopted;  but  that  he  has,  on  the  contrary,  devoted  much  time 
and  patient  research  to  the  study  of  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  complete 
collections  of  this  group  of  shells  in  the  world. 

It  may  be  proper  for  me  to  explain  here  some  differences  of  terminology 
that  will  be  observed  in  Professor  Hyatt's  and  my  own  descriptions  and 
remarks.  For  instance,  he  very  properly  describes  the  external  margin,  or 
outer  side  of  the  volutions  in  the  Ammonitoid  types,  as  the  abdomen,  and  the 
inner  as  the  dorsum;  while  I  have  used  the  term  periphery  for  the  former, 
and  mnbilical  or  inner  side  for  the  latter.  His  method  has  the  advantage  of 
properly  expressing  the  true. relations  of  the  animal  and  its  shell;  though  I 
have  rather  preferred  the  terms  I  have  used,  because  they  avoid  the  per- 
plexing confusion  of  ideas  liable  to  arise  in  the  minds  of  those  who  have 
become  familiar  with  the  (until  recently)  prevalent  method  of  describing  the 
outer  side  as  the  dorsal,  and  the  inner  as  the  ventral,  as  w^e  see  in  nearly  all 
the  published  works  on  such  shells.  Again,  in  the  same  way,  he  terms  the 
outer  lobe  of  each  septum  the  abdominal  lobe;  while  I  have  for  the  same  used 
the  term  siphonal  lobe,  already  in  use  by  some  European  authors.  The  lateral 
lobes  and  intervening  sinuses  of  the  septa  I  have  merely  numbered  consecu- 
tively J?rs^,  second^  third,  and  so  on,  from  the  outer  one  inward,  instead  of  using 


UPPER  TRIASSIG  SPECIES.  107 

von  Buch's  terms  superior-lateral,  lateral,  inferior-lateral,  and  auxiliary  hies 
and  saddles.  The  former  method  seems  to  me  more  simple,  and  enables  one 
to  refer  very  precisely  and  directly  to  any  particular  lobe  or  sinus,  whether 
there  be  few  or  many.  For  the  ridges  crossing  the  volutions,  Professor 
Hyatt  uses  the  iQvm  pilce;  while  I  have  used  for  the  same  the  old  term  ccwfcs. 
I  am  not,  however,  objecting  to  Professor  Hyatt's  terminology,  which 
is  very  good,  but  merely  explaining  the  different  terms  we  have  here  and 
elsewere  used  for  the  same  parts  of  the  shell. 

-CLYDONITID^.* 

^' Genus  COROCERAS,  Hyatt. 

**  (K<5pi)f ,  a  helmet ;  Kepaq,  a  horn.) 

''^Ammonites,  Ooniatltes,  Aganides,  &c.  (sp.)?  of  several  authors,  but  not  as  those  genera 

are  now  restricted* 
^'Clydonites  (pars),  Hauer  (I860),  SitzuDgcsb.  der  Kais.  Akad.  Wiss.,  XLI,  122.— Laube 

(1869),  Fanna  St.  Cass.,  14. 

**  This  genus  comprises  the  following  species,  viz.,  Clydonites  delphino- 
cephalus,  G.  ellipticus,  Hauer,  and  C.nautilinus  and  C.monilis,  Laube;  the  lat- 
ter being  viewed  as  the  type.  These  species  all  have  numerous  lobes  and 
cells,  with  smooth  sutures,  and  a  large  abdominal  lobe;  the  latter  being  very 
broad  and  prominent.  They  are  pileately  ribbed  and  very  involute ;  the 
umbilicus  nearly  covered.  The  mouth  is  more  or  less  hooded  or  constricted. 
These  are  the  only  members  of  the  group  that  can  be  satisfactorily  charac- 
terized. The  remaining  species  originally  included  in  Clydonites  are  very  dis- 
tinct from  the  typical  forms  and  from  each  other,  and  may  be  arranged  into 
the  following  groups: 

^^  1. — Clydonites  genueulatus,  C  glaucus,  and  C  Eryx,  Hauer,  with  C. 
Wissmannij  of  the  same  author. 

"  These  have  a  similarly  short  clumpy  abdominal  lobe,  with  a  minute 
siphonal  cell;  but  otherwise  they  are  entirely  different.  The  whorls  of  the 
first,  however,  are  short,  with  gibbous  sides,  subangular  at  the  edge  of  the 
abdomen;   the  second,  high  and  crowded     Those  of  C  glacialis,  on  the 

♦  Professor  Hyatt  proposes  this  new  family  for  the  reception  of  his  above  described 
genus  Coreceras  and  Clydonites,  Hauer,  with  probably  other  genera  not  contained  iu 
the  Kevada  collections.    In  the  same  way  he  proposes  other  new  families  farther  on. 


108  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Other  hand,  are  very  flat  and  compressed.  The  lateral  lobes  and  cells  would 
pass  for  those  of  a  typical  Clydonites;  but  the  .latter  are  larger  and  more 
numerous.     In  both,  however,  tlie  superior  lateral  lobes  are  the  deepest. 

'^  2. — Clydonites  quadrangularis  and  C,  costaiuSj  Hauer. 

^^  These  have  septa  quite  similar,  but  there  is  no  agreement  of  form, 
the  former  having  involuted,  squarely-shaped,  rapidly-increasing  whorls, 
and  the  latter  abdominally-depressed,  non-involute,  gibbous-sided,  keeled 
whorls. 

^^  ^.—Clydonites  spinescens  and  C  armatus,  Hauer. 

''These  are  very  distinct  species,  the  septa  differing  considerably,  and 
the  forms  and  pilse  more. 

''  4. — Clydonites  decoratiis,  Hauer,  the  first  species  mentioned  by  him, 
and  here  viewed  as  the  type  of  that  genus,  is  decidedly  unique  in  the  group; 
the  rows  of  tubercles  on  the  abdomen  are  exceptional,  although  the  septa, 
if  correctly  drawn,  are  similar  to  those  of  C.  spinescens, 

"5. — Clydonites  Fresei,  Laube,  has  very  singular  septa,  quite  similar  to 
those  of  Ammonites  Klipteinianus.  The  smoothness,  stoutness,  and  involu- 
tion of  the  whorls,  however,  in  the  latter  are  ver}^  different  from  the  pileated 
non-involute  whorls  of  the  former. 

'*  The  want  of  proper  classification  and  arrangement  which  is  thus 
shown  to  exist  in  this  natural  series  was  very  plainly  perceived  by  its 
describer,  who  asserts  that  it  contains  diflferent  types,  and  is  capable  of 
division  into  different  families. 

^'  The  confusion  introduced  into  nomenclature  of  the  Ammonites  by 
von  Buclv  who,  as  a  geologist,  did  not  recognize  the  necessity  of  giving  a 
fixed  value  to  the  names  of  groups,  is  here  repeated;  and  the  families  are 
considered  less  comprehensive  than  the  genera. 

''So  little  is  known  of  the  septa  of  the  American  specimens  that  their 
place  among  the  Clydonitidce  appears  to  be  doubtful,  though  the  few  lateral 
lobes  figured  in  the  California  Geological  Report  seem  to  show  that  they 
belong  to  this  division.'' — (A.  H.) 


UPPER  TRIASSIO  SPECIES.  109 

Genus  CLYDONITES,  Ilauer. 
Clydonites  l^vidorsatus,  Hauer  (sp.). 

Plate  10,  fig.  7. 

Ammonites  Iccvidorsatus,  Hauer  (1860),  Sitzungsb.  K.  Akad.  Wien,  ph  3,  figs.  9  and  10  b, 
Qoniaiites  Icevidorsatus^  G'<xhh  (1864),  Geol.  Survey  of  California  (Palseont.),  I,  21,  pi.  3, 
figs.  6,  7. 

Shell  compressed-discoidal,  with  a  very  wide,  exceedingly  shallow  um- 
bilicus; periphery  more  or  less  narrowly  rounded;  volutions  numerous,  very 
slender,  increasing  very  gradually  in  size,  and  each  one  enveloping  about 
one-third  to  one-half  of  the  next  within;  aperture  as  determined  by  sections 
of  the  volutions,  emarginate-subelliptic,  being  more  or  less  emarginated  on 
the  inner  side  for  the  reception  of  the  outer  side  of  the  next  turn  within. 
Surface  nearly  smooth,  or  only  obscurely  ribbed  in  some  specimens,  but 
more  generally  ornamented  with  rather  strong,  regular  costae  on  each  side, 
that  usually  curve  rather  strongly  forward  as  they  approach  the  periphery, 
upon  which  they  become  obsolete. 

Greatest  diameter  of  one  of  the  largest  specimens,  2.70  inches;  con- 
vexity, about  0.60  inch. 

I  have  seen  no  specimens  of  this  species  showing  either  the  siphuncle 
or  the  septa,  and  it  seems  that  none  of  those  seen  by  Professor  Hauer  were 
in  a  condition  to  show  the  nature  of  the  septa.  Mr.  Gabb,  however, 
describes  them  as  being  each  ^^  composed  of  a  dorsal  and  two  lateral  lobes, 
which,  with  the  saddles,  are  all  nearly  rounded  undulations ".  From  this 
character  of  the  septa  and  the  general  form  of  the  shell,  taken  in  connection 
with  the  age  of  the  formation  in  which  it  occurs,  it  is  far  more  probable 
that  the  ^^ gullet"  of  its  siphuncle  will  be  found  to  agree  with  that  of  Professor 
Hauer's  genus  Clydonites  than  with  that  of  Goniatites, 

As  remarked  by  Mr.  Gabb,  this  shell  varies  considerably  in  its  surface- 
characters,  some  individuals  being  nearly  smooth,  while  others  have  the 
costse  of  the  sides  well  developed.  There  are  also  some  diflferences  in  the 
size  and  the  arrangement  of  the  costae,  which  are  sometimes  proportionally 
wider  and  more  widely  separated  than  in  other  examples,  while  the  periphery 
is  more  narrowly  rounded  in  some  individuals  than  in  others. 

I  have  had  no  opportunity  to  compare  this  shell  with  typical  foreign 


110  PALEONTOLOGY. 

examples  of  the  species  (7.  IcevidorsatuSy  but  merely  follow  Mr.  Gabb  in  refer- 
ring it  to  that  form  from  the  general  resemblance  to  Professor  Hauer's  figures. 
After  I  had  written  the  above,  and  referred  this  species  to  C.  Icevidorsatus, 
Hauer,  Professor  Hyatt  sent  me  the  following  remarks  in  regard  to  this 
species,  which  are  worthy  of  quotation  here,  because  they  were  drawn  up 
by  him  after  making  direct  comparison  with  authentic  European  specimens 
of  Dr.  Hauer's  species: 

**GabVs  figures  and  descriptions  agree  well  with  the  Nevada  speci- 
mens in  the  collection,  and  his  figure  of  the  septa  shows  that  the  species 
probably  belongs  to  Clydonites.  The  agreement  with  Hauer's  figure  is  not 
so  exact  on  account  of  the  want  of  due  exactness  by  which  the  pilse  are 
made  to  cross  the  abdomen  in  his  figure,  whereas  in  the  specimens  it  is  a 
characteristic  of  late  production. 

"Gabb  especially  states  that  in  none  of  the  specimens  examined  by 
him  did  the  pilse  cross  the  abdomen.  Hauer  alludes  to  the  need  of  a  strong 
side-light,  in  order  to  detect  them  in  his  specimens.  This  is  by  no  means 
the  case  with  the  two  full-grown  Nevada  specimens  under  consideration, 
the  abdominal  pilsB  being  very  prominent  in  both.  The  young  correspond 
to  the  description  alluded  to  in  the  California  Report,  which  seems  to  have 
been  taken  from  a  young  specimen.  The  first  of  the  adult  stage  of  develop- 
ment corresponds  to  Hauer's  description,  and  a  further  development  of  the 
abdominal  pilae  introduces  the  full-grown  adult.  All  of  these  stages  are 
easily  traceable;  and  the  one  very  large  specimen  mentioned  in  the  Cali- 
fornia Report  belonging  to  this  species  which  did  not  have  the  abdominal 
pilse  must  have  been  an  old  specimen.  In  that  case,  it  would  have  lost  these 
characteristics  in  the  regular  course  of  senile  degeneration." — (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position, — Buena  Vista  Canon,  North  Fork,  Humboldt 
Range,  Nevada;  Upper  Trias  (St.  Cassian  beds). 

"TRACHYCERATIDiE. 

"Genus  GYMNOTOCERAS,  Hyatt. 

^^{yvfivdg^  uaked;  v(i>)Togy  back;  Kepag^  a  horn.) 

"The  development  of  Ammonites  BlaJcei,  Gabb,  and  the  characters  of 
its  abdomen,  separate  it  at  once  most  decidedly  from  any  species  of  Tra- 


UPPER  TRIASSIO  SPECIES.  lU 

chyceras.  The  development  generally  of  a  keel,  or,  in  some  varieties,  of  a 
raised  abdomen,  over  which  the  pilse  do  not  pass,  shows  that  this  is  a  differ- 
ent genus,  characterized  by  a  different  mode  of  development.  The  septa 
are  quite  similar  to  those  of  TracJiyceras ;  but  it  is  very  evident  that  in  the 
TrachyceroiidcB  the  septa  cannot  be  looked  to  for  generic  differences.  Great 
differences  also  occur  in  the  amount  of  involution  of  the  different  species, 
and  in  the  development  of  their  external  characters.  This  is  shown  by  con- 
trasting the  species  Blakeij  Trachyceras  hrevidorsatunij  or  T,  BrotJieus,  with  the 
type  of  the  genus  T.  aon. 

"The  forms  and  characteristics  of  the  young  in  these  three  species  could 
hardly  be  more  different,  and  yet  their  septa  are  very  similar.  Possibly  a 
closer  study  of  the  lobes  will  bring  out  corresponding  differences;  but  at 
present  it  is  safer  to  rely  upon  the  development  of  external  features  in  this 
family."— (A.  H.) 

Gymnotoceeas  rotellifoeme,  Meek. 

Plate  10,  figs.  9  and  9  a. 

Shell  discoid-lenticular,  with  periphery  subangular,  or  very  naiTOwly 
rounded;  convexity  only  about  one-fourth  the  greatest  breadth;  umbilicus 
very  small,  or  scarcely  more  than  two-fifths  the  breadth  of  the  outer  volu- 
tion, with  its  nearly  vertical  walls  meeting  the  lateral  surface  of  the  volution 
so  as  to  form  a  subangular  margin;  whorls  laterally  compressed,  with  greatest 
convexity  within  the  middle  of  the  sides,  thence  converging  outward  with 
gentle  convexity  toward  the  periphery,  all  increasing  gradually  in  convexity 
and  more  rapidly  in  breadth;  each  inner  turn  almost  completely  embraced 
in  a  profound  sinus  or  concavity  of  the  inner  side  of  the  succeeding  larger 
one.  Surface  in  the  young  ornamented  with  small,  slightly  flexuous  costae 
scarcely  distinct  from  the  lines  of  growth,  but  becoming  apparently  most 
defined  in  young  shells  about  one  inch  in  diameter,  after  which  further  in- 
crease in  size  rendered  them  very  obscure,  broader,  and  more  distant,  until 
they  gradually  died  out,  leaving  the  sides  smooth,  or  nearly  so,  in  a  speci- 
men two  inches  broad;  costse  and  lines  of  growth  curving  strongly  forward 
as  they  approach  the  periphery,  which  the  former  do  not  cross  or  reach. 
Septa  with  four  lateral  lobes  on  each  side,  decreasing  rapidly  in  size  from 
the  largest  or  first  one  (which  is  oblong,  and,  like  the  second  and  third, 


112  PALEONTOLOGY. 

merely  digitate),  to  the  fourth,  which  is  very  small,  and  nearly  or  quite 
simple;  first  sinus  between  the  siphonal  and  first  lateral  lobe  smaller,  but 
of  the  same  form  as  the  latter,  and  merely  obtusely  serrated,  while  the  suc- 
ceeding sinuses  decrease  rapidly  in  size  inward,  and  become  more  nearly 
simple;  siphonal  lobe  shorter  than  the  first  lateral,  but  of  about  the  same 
breadth,  with  a  short,  spreading,  digitate,  terminal,  lateral  branch  on  each 
side,  and  a  few  small  lateral  serratures  along  the  lateral  margins. 

Greatest  breadth  of  a  specimen  apparently,  retaining  most  of  the  outer 
volution,  2.34  inches;  convexity  of  same,  about  0.55  inch. 

In  form,  this  shell  agrees  pretty  nearly  with  some  varieties  of  G.  Blakei, 
Gabb  (sp.);  but  it  differs  in  being  more  compressed,  particularly  toward  the 
periphery,  which  is  thus  made  narrower,  and  in  its  more  deeply  enibracing 
volutions,  and  consequent  narrower  umbilicus.  Its  costae  are  also,  appar- 
ently at  all  ages,  excepting,  perhaps,  in  the  very  young  specimens,  much 
more  obscurely  defined.  So  far  as  the  details  of  the  lobes  and  intermediate 
sinuses  of  its  septa  can  be  made  out  from  the  specimens,  they  seem  to  agree 
exactly  with  those  of  G,  Blakei  I  had  selected  for  it  the  name  rotelliformis^ 
and  written  out  a  full  description,  with  remarks  on  its  points  of  difference 
from,  and  agreement  with,  G.  Blakei^  but  was  not  fully  satisfied  whether  it 
should  be  included  provisionally  as  a  marked  variety  of  that  species,  or  sep- 
arated entirely  as  a  distinct  species.  As  Professor  Hyatt  confirms  the  latter 
conclusion,  I  have  decided  to  place  it  apart  as  a  different  species.  Professor 
Hyatt  sent  the  following  note  respecting  its  relations  to  G.  Blakei: 

"This  seems  a  distinct  species  from  G,  Blakei.  The  latter  develops 
from  the  young,  in  which  the  pilse  are  distinct,  and  the  abdomen  invariably 
keeled  at  one' stage;  whereas  similar  pilse  and  a  keel  are  only  occasionally 
and  faintly  shown  in  the  shell  under  consideration.  The  young  are  more 
distinctly  pileated  than  the  adults,  and  are  somewhat  like  the  young  of  G. 
Blakei  at  certain  stages  of  growth.  A  close  comparison,  however,  shows 
them  to  be  flatter,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  each  whorl  is  concealed  by  the 
involution  of  the  shell,  whereas  G,  Blakei  has  a  more  open  umbilicus  at  the 
same  age.  The  same  remarks  apply  equally  well  to  the  figure  of  (?.  Blakei 
in  the  Palseontology  of  California. 

"The  general  development  and  characteristics  of  the  septa  of  this  species. 


UPPER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES.  113 

however,  resemble  those  of  G.  BlakeL     The  abdomen  of  the  latter,  however, 

is  at  first  rounded,  then  more  acute,  or  with  a  raised  keel-line,  and  finally 

this  disappears  in  a  flattened  abdomen." — (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position. — Buena  Vista  Canon,  West  Humboldt  Range, 

Nevada;  Trias. 

Gymnotoceras  Blakei,  Gabb  (sp.). 

Plato  10,  figs.  10,  10  a,  Wb,  10  c;  ai.d  pi.  11,  figs.  6,  6«. 

Ammonites  Blakei^  Gabb  (1864),  Geol.  Survey  of  California  (Pal(»oiit.),  I,  24,  pi.  4,  figs. 
14-15. 

Shell  more  or  less  compressed-discoidal,  with  periphery  rather  nar- 
rowly rounded,  or  subangular,  in  consequence  of  a  narrow,  obscure,  smooth, 
welt-like  ridge,  usually  seen  along  its  middle,  being  sometimes  more  prom- 
inent in  the  more  compressed  specimens;  umbilicus  moderately  deep,  and 
equaling  generally  a  little  more  than  one-fifth  the  breadth;  volutions  six 
or  more,  more  or  less  compressed  laterally,  particularly  in  adult  specimens, 
but  usually  more  rounded  in  the  young;  each  enveloping  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  the  next  within,  rounding  to  the  penphery,  and  truncated,  or,  in 
adult  specimens,  even  a  little  overhanging  around  the  umbilicus;  aperture, 
as  determined  by  sections  of  the  volutions,  subcordate,  or,  in  compressed 
specimens,  subhastate,  wdth  the  sinus  on  the  inner  side  rather  deeply  defined. 
Surface  ornamented  by  generally  distinctly-defined  costse,  which,  in  most 
cases,  increase  by  bifurcating  (usually  at  a  slightly  pinched-up  prominence 
on  the  larger  specimens)  between  the  umbihcus  and  the  middle,  or  in  part 
by  the  intercalation  of  others  between;  all  curving  strongly  forward  as  they 
approach  the  periphery,  where  they  become  obsolete  before  reaching  the 
faintly -marked  central  ridge. 

Septa  with  siphonal  lobe  rather  short,  or  about  as  wide  as  long,  and 
divided  at  the  extremity  into  two  short,  digitate,  terminal  branches,  above 
which  there  are  two  or  three  very  small  lateral  serratures.  First  lateral 
lobe,  longer  than  the  siphonal,  and  provided  with  two  short,  digitate 
terminal  divisions^  with  some  very  small  lateral  notches  above.  Second 
lateral  lobe  considerably  smaller  than  the  first,  but  not  difterlng  very  mate- 
rially in  other  respects.  Third  lateral  lobe  still  smaller  than  the  second, 
and  merely  provided  with  two  or  three  minute  notches  at  the  end;  between 

8  P  B 


114  '  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

the  latter  and  the  suture,  in  the  vertical  wall  of  the  umbilicus,  there  are  two 
other  minute,  apparently  simple  lobes.  First  lateral  sinus  (saddle)  a  little 
wider  than  the  siphonal,  which  it  exceeds  in  length  on  its  inner  side,  rounded 
at  the  end,  and  slightly  serrated  on  the  margins;  second  lateral  sinus  much 
like  the  first,  excepting  that  its  outer  side  is  the  longer.  The  other  sinuses 
are  very  small,  and  apparently  nearly  simple. 

Greatest  diameter  of  the  largest  specimen  seen,  2.20  inches;  convexity, 
0.70  inch.     Some  of  the  specimens  are  proportionally  more  compressed. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  common  species  found  in  the  Nevada  St.  Cas- 
sian  beds.  It  seems  to  vary  considerably  in  form,  as  well  as  in  surface- 
marking;  the  majority  of  the  specimens  before  me,  however,  are  less  com- 
pressed, and  more  obtuse  on  the  periphery,  than  the  typical  specimen  figured 
by  Mr.  Gabb.  A  few  of  the  others,  however,  seem  to  agree  more  nearly 
with  his  figure,  while  there  are  so  many  gradations  between  these  and  the 
less  compressed  form  that  I  am  inclined  to  regard  the  whole  as  belonging 
to  one  species. 

Mr.  Gabb  mentions  seeing  a  specimen  from  near  Star  City,  which  he 
supposed  belonged  to  this  species,  that  was  nearly  six  inches  in  diameter, 
and  had  a  row  of  large  nodes  around  the  middle  of  the  whorls.  Adopting  the 
conclusion  that  this  really  belongs  to  the  species  under  consideration,  the 
numerous  specimens  before  me  would  seem  to  be  all  young  shells,  or  the 
inner  volutions  of  large  ones,  as  none  of  them  are  more  than  two  and  a  half 
inches  in  diameter,  or  show  the  large  lateral  nodes  mentioned  by  Mr.  Gabb. 
It  is  true  none  of  them  are  entirely  complete;  but  if  the  shell  had  ever 
attained  so  large  a  size  as  six  inches  in  diameter  at  the  locality  where  our 
specimens  were  obtained,  there  would  probably  have  been  some  fragments 
of  these  large  individuals  brought  in  with  the  others. 

As  remarked  by  Mr.  Gabb,  this  shell  (that  is  the  variety  figured  by 
him)  resembles  Ammonites^  or  more  properly,  I  should  think,  Ceratites  sea- 
phitiformis  of  Hauer ;  but  it  has  the  peripheral  ridge  decidedly  less  prominent, 
and  shows  differences  in  the  nature  of  the  costse,  and  particularly  in  the 
septa;  which  latter,  in  Professor  Hauer's  species,  seem  to  me  to  present  more 
nearly  the  characters  of  Ceratites. 

The  foregoing  description  and  remarks  were  written  out  by  me  entirely 


UPPER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES  115 

from  such  specimens  as  those  represented  by  our  figs.  10,  10  a,  and  10  b  on 
pUte  10;  my  impression  at  that  time  being  that  the  peculiar  forms,  such  as 
that  illustrated  by  figs.  5  and  5  a  of  plate  11,  belong  to  an  allied  but  dis- 
tinct species,  differing  in  the  development  of  lateral  nodes,  the  flattening  of 
the  periphery,  and  the  singular  elliptic  or  scaphitoid  general  outline  in  the 
adult.  For  this  form  I  had  proposed  the  specific  name  scaphitoides  {Gymnot 
scaphitoideSj  as  the  nomenclature  here  adopted  would  require).  I  had  noticed, 
however,  the  similarity  of  its  inner  volutions  to  those  of  G,  Blakei,  and  had 
considered  the  question  of  its  possible  identity  with  that  species.  But  the 
fact  that  there  are  some  ten  or  eleven  specimens  in  the  collection,  all 
showing  the  form  and  flattened  periphery  seen  in  fig.  5,  plate  11,  while 
none  of  those  that  I  referred  to  G,  Blakei,  even  of  equal  size  (as  that  from 
which  were  drawn  figs.  10  and  10  a  on  plate  10),  show  any  traces  of  the 
lateral  nodes,  flattening  of  the  periphery,  or  elliptic  general  outline,  I  was 
led  to  think  the  former  could  hardly  belong  to  G.  Blakei. 

Professor  Hyatt,  however,  after  studying  the  specimens  carefully, 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  these  scaphitoid  specimens  with  lateral  nodes 
and  flattened  periphery  only  represent  a  more  advanced  stage  in  the  deveV/p- 
ment  of  G,  Blakei.  Consequently,  I  now  yield  my  opinion  to  his  greater 
experience  and  advantages  in  tracing  the  different  phases  of  development  in 
this  order  of  shells,  and  adopt  his  conclusion.  I  prefer,  however,  to  allow 
my  description  of  G.  Blakei  to  stand  as  originally  written,  and  to  quote 
below  Professor  Hyatf  s  remarks  rather  than  rewrite  my  own. 

The  following  are  Professor  Hyatt's  notes  on  G.  Blakei^  and  its  varia- 
tions and  development: 

*'  This  species  is  smooth  for  the  first  three  or  four  volutions.  Then  the 
pilse  begin  to  appear  as  lateral  folds.  During  the  next  volution,  the  abdo- 
naen  is  smooth  and  broad;  the  whole  form  and  mode  of  involution  resembling 
Lytoceras  fimbriatum.  After  this,  a  low,  broad  keel  arises  [see  fig.  10  a,  pi.  10], 
and  the  increase  in  bulk  is  exceedingly  rapid.  Intermediate  pilse  [costal] 
are  added  by  folds  of  the  shell  near  the  abdomen  on  the  sixth  or  seventh 
volution  [see  fig.  10,  pi.  10].  These  soon  coalesce  with  the  longer  pilse,  and 
form  more  or  less  prominent  and  subsequently  a  tubercular  junction.  On 
the  eighth  or  ninth  whorl,  the  broad  keel  disappears,  and  the  pilae  are  wholly 


116  -  PALEONTOLOGY. 

forked  instead  of  single,  the  tubercles  at  the  junction  very  large,  and  the 
abdomen  gibbous,  but  smooth  [see  figs.  6  a,  pi.  11].  The  terminations 
of  the  pilsD  are  at  the  edge  of  the  abdomen  at  this  stage,  and  show  obtuse 
tubercles,  whereas  in  the  young  they  are  continued  over  the  edge  of  the 
abdomen  to  the  base  of  the  keel.  This  is  the  normal  succession  of  these 
characters,  but  variations  are  remarkable.  Besides  the  earlier  attainment 
of  the  tubercule-shaped  pilse,  there  are  those  which  never  have  them  at 
all,  and  one  specimen  which  becomes  wholly  smooth  on  the  eighth  or  ninth 
whorl. 

*'  Some  specimens  are  also  much  flatter  than  others,  and  often  the  lines 
of  growth  are  so  decided  where  they  cross  the  siphon  that  at  first  sight  they 
may  be  mistaken  for  the  pilae  themselves,  but  a  closer  examination  shows 
that  they  subdivide  the  pilae.  These  more  decided  striae  evidently  indicate 
arrests  of  growth,  and  are  outlines  of  the  transient  mouth.  If  so,  there 
was  a  periodical  pause  in  the  building-up  of  the  shell,  as  each  pair  of  pilse 
were  about  half  completed. 

'*  Another  variation  occurs  either  through  compression  or  subsequent 
elliptical  growth,  such  as  is  described  by  Ban-ande  in  Goniatites  fecundus. 
By  one  of  these  means,  probably  the  former,  in  eleven  specimens,  a  ScapMtes- 
like  shell  is  produced  [fig.  6,  pi.  11],  with  broad  flattened  abdomen  [fig.  6  a, 
same  plate]  and  exceedingly  prominent  tubercles.  So  similar  is  this  mal- 
formation, that  I  at  first  considered  it  a  true  Scaphitoid,  bearing  to  Scaphites 
a  relation  similar  to  that  of  Bactrites  to  BacuUtes. 

*'  There  is,  however,  not  one  specimen  of  the  eleven  examined  which 
is  not  more  or  less  twisted  laterally  by  compression." — (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position. — Cottonwood  Canon,  West  Humboldt  Eange, 
Nevada ;  Upper  Trias. 

Genus  TRACHYCERAS,  Laube. 
Trachyc^eras  Whitneyi,  Gabb  (sp.). 

Plate  11,  figs.  3,  3  a. 

Ammonites  Whitneyi^  Gabb  (1864),  Geol.  Survey  of  California  (PalsDont.),  I,  23,  pi.  4, 
figs.  11  and  12. 

Shell  attaining  a  rather  large  size  for  a  species  of  this  group^  discoid 


UPPER  TillASSIG  SPECIES.  117 

in  form,  with  tlie  peripheral  channel  of  somewhat  variable  depth,  but  usually 
well-defined;  volutions  about  five,  more  or  less  flattened  on  the  sides,  round- 
ing off  a  little  to  the  periphery,  and  abruptly  truncated,  or  even  overhang- 
ing on  the  umbiHcal  side,  each  enveloping  about  half  of  the  next  one 
within;  umbilicus  rather  shallow,  or  of  moderate  depth,  and  less  than  one- 
third  the  diameter  of  the  shell.  Surface  ornamented  by  a  variable  number 
of  costse,  which  curve  forward  as  they  approach  the  periphery,  often  bifur- 
cating once  or  twice  in  crossing  the  sides,  and  also  increasing  by  the  inter- 
calation of  shorter  ones  between,  while  they  usually  bear  on  each  side  about 
four  or  five  rows  of  small  nodes,  the  most  prominent  of  which  are  generally 
those  along  the  margins  of  the  peripheral  furrow,  and  around  the  edge  of 
the  umbilicus;  the  outer  rows  being  sHghtly  compressed,  and  more  or  less 
oblique,  while  those  on  the  sides  of  the  volutions  are  apparently  sometimes 
obsolescent     (Septa  not  observed.) 

Greatest  diameter  of  the  largest  specimen  seen  (which  is  imperfect), 
about  4  inches;  convexity,  1.20  inches;  diameter  of  umbilicus,  about  1.15 
inches. 

The  specimen  from  which  the  foregoing  description  and  our  figures 
were  prepared,  agrees  much  better  with  Mr.  Gabb's  fig.  12  than  with  his 
fig.  11.  He  was  probably  right,  however,  in  including  both  of  his  figured 
specimens  as  varieties  of  one  species,  though  I  have  not  seen  a  series  con- 
necting the  two  forms.  Taking  the  specimen  represented  by  his  fig.  12  as 
the  typical  example  of  the  species,  our  shell  may  safely  be  called  T.  Whitneyi 

Among  foreign  species,  this  may  be  compared  with  T.  Archelaiis,  Laube 
(Fauna  der  Sch.  von  St.  Cassian,  5.  Abth.,  pi.  xl,  fig.  1);  but  it  differs  in 
having  its  costse  more  frequently  bifurcating,  with  fewer  nodes,  none  of 
which  seem  to  be  developed  into  spines,  as  in  I.aube's  species. 

After  I  had  written  the  foregoing,  Professor  Hyatt  sent  me  the  follow- 
ing note  respecting  it: 

^^  This  species  is  very  distinct*  on  account  of  its  coarse  prominent 
nodes  and  pilse,  the  number  of  the  latter,  and  the  young,  which  are  not 
unlike  the  young  of  Gymnotoceras  Blakei.     The  pilse  of  the  young  shell  in 

♦He  meaus  distinct  from  T.  Judicaricum  ;  he  concurred  in  the  opinion  that  it  is 
the  T.  Whitneyi,  Gabb  (sp.). 


118  PALiEONTOLOGY. 

T.  Judicaricum   are  finer,  and  the  abdominal  channel  appears  at  a  much 

earlier  period  of  the  shell's  growth.     The  abdominal  channel  in  this  species, 

and  others  of  the  same  genus,  is  preceded  by  a  stage  in  which  the  abdomen 

is  flat,  more  nearly  as  in  the  adult  G.  Blakei" — (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position, — Cottonwood  Canon,  West  Humboldt   Range, 

Nevada;  Trias. 

Tbachyceras  Judicaricum,  Mojsisovics, 

Plate  11,  figs.  1,  la. 
TracJiyceras  Judicaricum,  Mojsisov.  (1869),  Jabrb.  Geol.  Reicb.,  Wien,  133,  pi.  3,  fig.  4. 

The  specimens  ranged  under  the  above  name  agree  so  nearly  with  the 
smaller  examples  of  T.  Whitneyi,  Gabb,  that  I  had  only  separated  them  as 
a  variety  of  that  species.  Professor  Hyatt^  however,  whose  facilities  for 
making  critical  comparisons  of  this  group  of  fossils  with  European  forms 
are  far  superior  to  my  own,  thinks  it  identical  with  the  above-mentioned 
foreign  species.  As  may  be  seen  by  our  figure,  it  seems  to  differ  from  T, 
Whitneyi  chiefly  in  its  proportionally  smaller  and  more  crowded  costas  and 
nodes.  Mr.  Hyatt  sent  me  the  following  note  in  regard  to  its  relations  to 
Mojsisovics'*  species : 

^*  The  only  difference  noticeable  in  Mojsisovics'  description  is  that  the 
pilse  are  continuous  across  the  abdomen,  whereas  in  this  specimen  the 
abdominal  channel  is  smooth.  Tliis,  however,  if  of  any  more  than  indi- 
vidual value,  is  probably  a  local  variation." — (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last. 

Trachyceeas  Judicaricum,  var.  subasperum. 

Plate  11,  figs.  2,  2  a,  and  2  &. 

This  shell  agrees  with  the  last  in  form,  proportions,  and  the  smallness 
of  its  costae,  but  differs  rather  decidedly,  both  from  that  shell  and  T.  Whit- 
neyi, in  having  its  costae  almost  entirely  obsolete  around  the  middle  of  each 
side,  and  only  a  single  row  of  rather  distant  prominent  nodes  there.  It  shows, 
however,  a  tendency  tx)  develop  a  small  row  around  the  umbilicus  on  each 
side,  as  in  those  forms,  and  has  the  usual  row  of  oblique  nodes  on  each  side 
of  the  mesial  furrow  of  the  periphery,  with  another  row  a  little  farther  in. 
At  least  this  is  the  character  of  the  single  specimen  of  this  kind  in  the  col- 
lection, as  may  be  seen  by  our  figures  of  it  on  plate  11. 


UPPER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES.  1 19 

The  specimen  does  not  give  a  very  clear  idea  of  the  details  of  the 
septa ;  but,  as  nearly  as  they  can  be  made  out,  they  seem  to  present  the  fol- 
lowing characters:  siphonal  lobe  narrow,  oblong,  and  apparently  merely 
provided  with  two  small,  short,  simple,  terminal  divisions,  as  in  T,  Whitneyi, 
The  sinus  on  each  side  of  this  is  smoothly  rounded,  and  about  as  wide  as 
long,  while  the  first  lateral  lobe  is  smaller,  and  also  shorter  than  the  siphonal 
lobe,  and  armed  with  a  few  digitations  at  the  end.  Between  the  latter  and 
the  umbilicus,  there  are  two  shallow,  smoothly-rounded  sinuses,  and  two 
small  lobes,  the  first  of  which  seems  to  be  digitate  at  the  end  and  the  other 
smooth. 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last. 

^^AROESTIDJ], 

^^  Genus  ARCESTES,  Suess. 

^^  Ammonites  (sp,),  Munster,  Kiipsteiu,  Hauer,  Giebel,  Quenstedt,  and  others;  notBrug, 

as  restricted. 
*'^Arce8ies^  Suess  (1865),  Akad.  d.  Wissensch.,  LII,  76. 

'^The  genus  Arcestes  of  Suess,  like  Phylloceras  and  Lytoceras  of  the  same 
author,  is  a  well-defined  generic  group.  I  have  been  justly  criticised  by 
Dr.  Laube  for  unintentionally  omitting,  in  my  preliminary  essay  on  the 
*  Fossil  Cephalopods  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology'  at  Cam- 
bridge, to  give  credit  to  Prof  Edward  Suess  for  having  been  the  first  to 
suggest,  in  any  published  communication,  that  the  Ammonites  were  suscep- 
tible of  generic  subdivision.  I  was,  however,  unacquainted  at  that  time 
with  Professor  Suess's  results,  and  therefore  must  still  continue  to  attribute, 
so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  the  credit  of  the  idea  to  Professor  Agassiz,  who 
gave  me  the  information  long  before  Professor  Suess  had  published  his 
paper.* 

'^Other  criticisms  with  which  I  have  been  favored  will  be  best  answered 
by  the  memoirs  now  in  course  of  publication  at  the  Museum  of  Comparative 

♦  It  is  well  known  to  the  writer,  and  many  others  in  this  country,  that  Professor 
Hyatt  had  long  been  at  work  on  his  subdivisions  of  the  Ammonites  before  the  publi- 
cation of  Professor  Suess'  paper;  though  no  one  will  pretend  to  question  the  fact  that 
Professor  Suess^  conclusions  were  independently  formed,  and  have  priority  of  publica- 
tion.—F.  B.  M. 


120  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Zoology.  I  will  take  this  opportunity,  however,  to  say  that  there  were 
pecuharities  in  my  attempt  to  frame  a  new  classification  for  the  Ammonites 
which  have  passed  unnoticed.  The  species  were  arranged  in  series  whose  affin- 
ities and  genetic  connections  were  successively  traced,  just  as  any  zoologist 
would  trace  the  same  relations  among  any  disorderly  mass  of  animals.  The 
usual  pala&ontological  style  of  making  genera,  as  if  families  and  larger  groups 
had  no  'raison  d'etre',  and  the  genera  themselves  no  interdependent  affin- 
ities, was  carefully  avoided.  Another  peculiarity  was  that  two  of  my  much 
abused  genera  precisely  agreed  with  two  of  those  so  well  described  in  the 
justly-admired  work  of  Professor  Suess;  and  as  the  thirty  others  described 
independently  by  me  were  founded  upon  precisely  the  same  set  of  differ- 
ences, I  find  myself  unable  to  appreciate  criticisms  which  *blow  hot  and 
cold'  upon  the  same  subject,  according  to  the  man,  and  not  the  man's 

work."— (A.  H.) 

Arcestes!  perplanus,  Meek. 

Plate  11,  figs.  7  and  7  a. 

Shell  strongly  compressed,  or  nearly  flattened-subdiscoidal,  the  lateral 
compression  making  the  periphery  so  narrow  as  to  appear  almost  subangu- 
lar;  umbilicus  very  shallow,  and  equaling  about  one-fourth  the  greatest 
diameter  of  the  shell;  volutions  five  or  more,  nearly  flat  on  each  side,  increas- 
ing gradually  in  size,  and  each  enveloping  about  two-thirds  of  the  next 
within;  aperture,  as  determined  from  a  section  of  the  whorls,  very  narrow 
at  right  angles  to  the  plane  of  the  shell,  and  profoundly  sinuous  on  the  inner 
side  for  the  reception  of  the  next  turn  within.  Surface  without  nodes, 
costse,  or  (on  casts)  visible  remains  of  striae.     (Septa  unknown.) 

Greatest  diameter  of  the  largest  specimen  seen,  2  inches;  convexity  of 
same,  0.30  inch. 

This  species  is  chiefly  distinguished  by  its  remarkably  compressed  form. 
The  only  two  specimens  of  it  seen  are  also  very  slightly  elliptical  in  outline. 
This  latter  character,  however,  may  be  due  to  accidental  distortion ;  but  as 
a  similar  irregularity  of  form  exists  in  a  number  of  specimens  of  another 
associated  shell,  and  the  same  want  of  symmetry  has  been  noticed  by  Pro- 
fessor Hauer  in  species  from  rocks  of  the  same  age  in  the  Alps,  and  by  Dr. 
Stoliczka  in  the  Himalaya  Mountains,  under  circumstances  leading  to  the 


UPPER  TRIA8S1C  SPECIES.  ]21 

conclusion  that  it  was  not  due  to  accidental  distortion,  it  may  be  natural  in 
the  form  under  consideration. 

It  is  quite  similar,  even  in  its  elliptic  form,  to  a  compressed  variety  of 
A.  Batteni,  Stoliczka  (Mem.  Geol.  Survey  of  India,  V,  plate  vi,  figs.  1  and 
1  a),  figured  by  Dr.  Stoliczka,  from  rocks  of  the  same  age  in  India.  It  is 
even  more  strongly  compressed,  however,  and  has  a  proportionally  smaller 
umbiHcus.  Although  it  may  possibly  belong  to  the  same  species,  it  is  far 
more  probable  that  it  does  not.  Until  its  septa  can  be  seen,  of  course  its 
generic  relations  must  remain  doubtful.  It  is  not  a  true  Ammonite,  how- 
ever, as  the  genus  is  restricted  by  the  latest  investigators  of  the  fossil 
Cephalopoda,  but  may  be  placed  provisionally  in  the  genus  Arcestes  until 
its  true  relations  can  be  determined  from  specimens  showing  the  septa. 

Some  months  after  writing  the  above,  I  received  the  following  note  in 
regard  to  it  from  Professor  Hyatt: 

'^This  species  seems  to  be  very  closely  alHed  to  Arcestes  Daonicus,  Mojs. 
(Jahrb.  Geol.  Reichsan.,  Wien,  XIX,  136,  1869).  It  is  smooth  and  has  no 
keel,  but  is  simply  subangular  on  the  abdomen,  and  has  no  knots  on  the 
sides,  as  described  in  A.  Baonicus,  There  are  certain  resemblances  to  Am- 
monites  glaucus  which  need  comparison,  and,  when  the  septa  are  known,  they 
may  prove  more  important  than  would  appear  to  be  the  case." — (A.  H.)* 

Locality  and  position. — Buena  Vista  Canon,  South  Fork,  West  Humboldt 
Range;  Upper  Trias  (St.  Cassian  beds). 

Aecestes  Gabbi,  Meek. 

Plate  10,  figs.  6,  6  a,  and  6  b. 

Arcesies  Amseeanus,  Gabb  (1864),  Palaeont.  Cal.,  I,  25,  pi.  3,  figs.  16  and  17  (not  of 
Hauer.) 

Shell  compressed-subglobose,  being  rounded  on   the   periphery   and 

convex  enough  on  the  sides  to  present  an  elliptic  profile  view;  volutions 

increasing  gradually  in  size,  each  so  profoundly  enveloping  all  of  those 

within  as  to  leave  only  a  very  contracted,  deep,  almost  cylindrical  umbil- 

♦  Oa  comparison  with  Laube's  figures  of  Am7n.  glaucus,  Mauster,  our  sbell  is  seen 
to  be  very  similar  in  form,  but  its  volutions  are  more  embracing  and  more  rapidly  ex- 
pand, while  its  umbilicus  is  consequently  proportionally  smaller.  Of  course  the  septa 
as  figured  by  Dr.  Laube,  unless  made  out  from  a  very  young  shell,  would  show  Amm. 
glaucus  to  be  very  distinct  from  Ammonites  proper. 


1 22  PALEONTOLOGY. 

icus  ;  aperture,  as  determined  from  transverse  sections  of  the  volutions,  com- 
pressed, crescent-shaped,  being  very  profoundly  sinuous  on  the  inner  side 
for  the  reception  of  the  involuted  turns;  internal  cast  generally  showing  four 
subequidistant,  transverse  furrows  to  each  turn,  left  by  a  thickening  of 
the  lip  within  at  four  regular  periods  of  cessation  in  the  growth  of  the  shell 
to  each  volution;  each  of  these  furrows,  or  constrictions,  bends  a  little  back- 
ward in  starting  from  the  umbilicus,  and  then  passes  nearly  straight,  or  with 
a  slight  backward  or  forward  curve  over  the  periphery.  Surface  generally 
appearing  almost  smooth,  or  only  showing  obscure  lines  of  growth,  with 
apparently  sometimes  the  faintest  possible  traces  of  longitudinal  strife  on 
the  rounded  periphery. 

Septa,  as  made  out  by  Mr.  Gabb  in  the  California  Report  (none  of 
those  I  have  seen  show  the  septa),  with  siphonal  lobe  narrow-oblong,  being 
about  twice  as  long  as  wide,  deeply  divided  into  two  slender,  nearly  par- 
allel, bifid,  and  digitate  terminal  branches,  with  two  or  three  smaller 
lateral  branchlets  on  each  side;  first  lateral  lobe  a  little  shorter  than 
the  siphonal  lobe,  and  trifid  at  the  extremity,  with  two  or  three  lateral 
branchlets  on  each  side;  second  lateral  lobe  slightly  shorter  than  the  first 
lateral,  and  similar,  excepting  that  it  is  bipartite  at  the  extremity,  with  the 
terminal  divisions  bifid;  third  lateral  lobe  projecting  a  little  beyond  the 
second,  and  divided  more  nearly  like  the  first  lateral,  but  otherwise  some- 
what smaller.  Between  this  and  the  umbilicus  there  are  two  much  smaller 
lobes,  the  first  of  which  is  two  or  three  times  as  large  as  the  second,  and 
more  distinctly  tridigitate  at  the  extremity.  First  lateral  sinus  smaller 
than  the  siphonal  lobe,  longer  than  wide,  and  tripartite  at  the  extremity, 
with  short  lateral  branchlets;  second  lateral  sinus  of  much  the  same  size 
and  form  as  the  first,  while  the  three  succeeding  sinuses  diminish  rather 
rapidly  in  size  toward  the  umbilicus,  and  show  a  more  or  less  distinct  tend- 
ency to  develop  similar  divisions  to  those  of  the  others. 

Greatest  diameter,  2.25  inches;  convexity,  1.35  inches. 

Although  I  thought,  from  sketches  of  this  shell  sent  to  me  some  years  back 
for  comparison  by  Mr.  Gabb,  that  it  probably  could  not  be  properly  separated 
from  A,  Ausseeanus  of  Hauer,  a  careful  examination  of  a  series  of  specimens 
reveals  some  differences  that  lead  me  to  conclude  that  it  is  more  probably  only 


UPPER  TRIASSIG  SPECIES.  123 

a  closely-allied  representative  species."^  In  the  first  place,  as  was  noticed 
by  Mr.  Gabb,  it  is  distinctly  more  compressed  laterally  than  Professor 
Hauer's  figures  of  A.  Ausseeanus,  and  also  differs  in  having  the  greatest 
convexity  of  the  sides  of  its  volutions  much  nearer  the  umbilicus.  I  am 
aware  that  these  are  characters  in  which  the  Ammonitoid  types  vary  con- 
siderably, but  the  fact  that  the  Nevada  specimens  are  very  constant  in 
these  characters,  while  there  are  also  differences  in  the  details  of  the  lobes 
and  sinuses  of  the  septa,  as  made  out  by  Professor  Hauer  and  Mr.  Gabb, 
leads  me  to  suspect  that  still  other  differences  would  be  observed  if  we 
had  the  means  of  comparing  perfect  specimens  from  the  two  widely-sepa- 
rated localities.  The  differences  in  the  septa  alluded  to  consist  in  the  more 
conical  form  of  all  the  lateral  lobes  and  sinuses  of  the  Hallstadt  specimens; 
which  also  have,  according  to  Professor  Hauer^s  figure,  the  second  lateral 
lobe  distinctly  tripartite,  instead  of  bifid  at  the  end,  as  represented  by  Mr. 
Gabb.  There  are  likewise  other  differences  in  the  details  of  the  lobes  and 
saddles,  but  these  might  be  merely  individual  peculiarities.  I  lay  no  stress 
on  the  appearances  of  very  faint  traces  of  longitudinal  striae  seen  on  some 
of  our  specimens,  because  others  show  no  indications  of  them. 

In  form,  and  some  of  the  characters  of  its  septa,  our  shell  is  decidedly 
nearer  like  Arcestes  Barrandei  of  Laube  (Fauna  der  Schicbt.  von  St.  Cassian, 
pi.  xliii,  fig.  2)  than  it  is  like  the  typical  A.  Ausseeanm,  though  it  differs 
in  having  the  periphery  more  broadly  rounded,  and  its  sides  less  convex  in 
the  umbilical  region,  while  in  the  form  and  proportions  of  the  lobes  and 
sinuses  there  are  differences  of  perhaps  more  importance. 

Some  time  after  the  foregoing  description  and  remarks  were  written, 
Professor  Hyatt  sent  me  the  following  note  in  regard  to  this  species : 

^'It  is  very  distinct  in  form  from  A.  Ausseeanus,  Hauer;  witness  its 
greater  lateral  compression,  the  scaphitoid  or  elliptical  mode  of  growth,  which 
is  habitual;  and  the  fact  that  while  the  adults  are  so  different,  the  young 
are  similar  in  their  forms  to  the  adults  of  ^.  Amseeanus.  I  think  it  to  be 
new."— (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position, — ^West  Humboldt  Range,  near  Cottonwood  Canon, 
Nevada  (St  Cassian  formation). 

♦  I  had  at  first  only  separated  this  form  here  as  a  variety  of  A.  Ausseeanusj  but, 
with  the  concurreuce  of  Professor  Hyatt,  I  now  view  it  as  a  distinct  species. 


124  rAL^ONTOLOGY. 

"PHYSAN0IDJ3]. 
"Genus  ACROCHORDICERAS,  Hyatt. 

*^(aKpoxopd<^Vy  a  wart ;  KepaCy  a  horn.) 

^^This  genus  is  closely  allied  to  Lytoceras  and  PhylloceraSy  Suess,  and 
Haploceras  of  Zittel,  combining  characteristics  which  are  found  in  all  of 
these,  besides  having  peculiar  characters  of  its  own,  and  a  different  develop- 
ment The  extent  of  involution  is  comparable  with  that  of  Haploceras^  but 
the  whorl  itself  is  about  intermediate  between  the  extreme  roundness  of 
LytoceraSj  and  the  more  flattened  sides  of  Phylloceras. 

'^Its  peculiar  characteristics  consist  in  having  large  lateral  tubercles  and 
abdominal  pilse,  which  are  united  as  they  near  the  tubercles.  The  smooth 
zone  along  the  center  of  the  abdomen  in  the  young  is  also  probably  of  gen- 
eric value." — (A.  H.) 

AcROCHOEDiCBRAs  Hyatti,  Meek. 

Plate  11,  figs.  5  and  5  a. 

Shell  discoid,  with  the  periphery  rounded;  volutions  rounded  or  very 
nearly  so,  and  increasing  gradually  in  size,  with  each  of  the  inner  ones 
about  three-fourths  embraced  by  the  succeeding  larger — all,  so  far  as 
known,  rounded  on  the  outer  side;  umbilicus  more  than  half  as  wide  as  the 
dorso-ventral  diameter  of  the  outer  volution,  rather  deep,  and  exposing 
about  one-fourth  the  breadth  of  each  inner  whorl.  Surface  at  first  in  the 
young  shell  nearly  or  quite  smooth,  then  ornamented  with  small,  regular, 
straight,  moderately  distinct  costae,  that  seem  not  to  cross  the  periphery, 
and  die  out  before  reaching  the  umbilical  side,  while  at  a  later  stage  of  growth 
they  become  quite  strongly  developed,  especially  in  crossing  the  periphery, 
on  which  are  intercalated  occasional  intermediate  ones  of  equal  size.  These 
coalesce  with  the  others  on  the  sides  of  the  volutions,  and  give  origin  at  the 
points  of  junction  to  prominent  nodes  arranged  at  regularly-increasing  inter- 
vals, so  as  to  form  a  single  row  near  or  within  the  middle  of  each  side. 
Protected  parts  also  show  rather  distinct  lines  of  growth,  running  parallel 
to  the  costse,  which  latter  are  slightly  sigmoid  on  the  sides  of  the  larger 
volutions,  but  pass  straight  across  the  periphery. 


UPPER  TRTASSIC  SPECIES.  125 

Greatest  breadth  of  an  imperfect  entirely  septate  specimen,  2.82  inches; 
convexity  of  same,  exclusive  of  the  nodes,  1.15  inches 

No  entire  specimens  of  this  shell  have  yet  been  found;  consequently 
we  cannot  be  quite  sure  whether  or  not  the  periphery  continues  to  be 
rounded  and  costate  on  the  outer  volution  of  large  mature  specimens, 
though  it  probably  is  at  least  rounded  and  less  strongly  costate.  One  dis- 
torted specimen  shows  that  near  the  broken  larger  end  of  the  outer  volution, 
the  costa?  become  less  prominent  and  more  distant,  with  an  intermediate  one 
between  each  two  of  the  larger,  the  intercalated  ones  extending  inward  but 
a  short  distance  from  the  periphery,  and  dying  out  without  coalescing  with 
the  others.  This  part  of  the  outer  turn  seems  also  to  be  nearly  without 
lateral  nodes,  which,  however,  are  well  developed  on  the  inner  turns  of  the 
same  specimen,  where  they  are  seen  on  the  inner  volutions  just  within 
the  inner  margin  of  the  umbilicus.  None  of  the  specimens  are  in  a  condi- 
tion to  exhibit  very  clearly  the  details  of  the  septa;  but  the  one  represented 
by  our  fig.  5  a,  plate  1 1 ,  shows  that  there  are  three  lateral  lobes  on  each  side, 
the  first  or  outer  one  being  about  one-third  longer  and  wider  than  the  sec- 
ond, with,  like  the  latter,  a  few  short  branches  or  mere  digitations  at  the 
end.  The  third  or  inner  lobe  is  much  smaller  than  the  second,  placed  close 
in  at  the  inner  margin  of  the  whorls,  and  apparently  provided  with  a  few 
short  digitations. 

The  position  of  the  lateral  nodes,  it  will  be  observed,  varies  somewhat 
in  different  individuals;  those  on  the  specimen  represented  by  fig.  4  being 
placed  nearly  out  at  the  middle  of  the  volutions,  while  on  that  shown  by 
fig.  4  a  they  seem  to  be  located  farther  inward.  This,  however,  is  probablj^, 
at  least  in  part,  due  to  the  oblique  distortion  of  this  specimen. 

In  relation  to  this  species.  Professor  Hyatt  sent  the  following  note: 

*^  The  development  of  this  species  is  altogether  anomalous.  The  whorls 
were  evidently  cylindrical  and  smooth  for  a  considerable  time;  the  increase  in 
size  being  at  first  very  slow.  Large  tubercles  appear  while  the  sides  are  still 
comparatively  smooth  in  one  specimen,  though  in  another  they  have  becorne 
completely  pileated.  These  tubercles  are  from  the  first  very  prominent. 
Soon  after  the  introduction  of  these  and  the  pilse,  the  increase  in  size  becomes 
much  more  rapid.     The  resemblance  of  the  young  to  Lytoceras  is  very  close 


1 26  PAL^ONTOLOG  Y. 

at  firs^t,  and  the  general  form  always  remains  similar.  The  septa  are,  how- 
ever, very  distinct;  the  lobes  and  cells,  so  far  as  they  could  be  traced,  hav- 
ing much  more  simple  outhnes.  The  pilse  do  not  extend  across  the  abdomen 
at  first,  but  leave  a  smooth  band  in  the  center.  This  is  broken  up  on  what 
is  supposed  to  be  the  fifth  volution  by  the  extension  of  the  pilae  across  the 
abdomen." — (A.  H.) 

Locality  and  position, — New  Pass,  Desatoya  Mountains,  Nevada;  Trias. 


The  following  two  types  Professor  Hyatt  views  as  representing  two 
undescribed  genera,  in  regard  to  the  family  relations  of  which  he  has 
expressed  no  opinion.  His  attention  was  called  to  them  after  he  had  sent 
on  his  paper  on  the  others ;  and  in  returning  the  specimens,  he  also  sent  the 
notes  quoted  below  respecting  them.  These  notes  he  seemed  rather  to 
regard  as  suggestions  than  as  full  descriptions,  as  he  stated  that  I  might  as 
well  go  on  and  name  and  describe  them  myself  It  seemed  more  proper, 
however,  as  he  had  investigated  the  whole,  that  these  also  should  stand  in 
his  name.  Consequently,  I  have  selected  the  names,  and  take  the  liberty 
to  insert  them  here  on  his  authority,  quoting  his  notes  in  regard  to  them. 

Genus  EUTOMOCERAS,  Hyatt. 

/^(augm.  part.) ;  T0}x6qj  sharp ;  /cepac,  a  horn. 

'*  This  is  a  well-marked  type,  characterized  by  its  lenticular  form,  nar- 
row umbilicus,  apparently  at  all  ages  very  sharp  abdominal  keel,  without 
furrows  or  lateral  ridges,  and  small  regular  arched  pilse  on  middle-sized 
specimens,  growing  wider,  more  irregular,  less  distinct,  and  developing 
small  lateral  nodes  on  the  adult,  with  both  nodes  and  pilse  becoming  obso- 
lete on  the  larger  part  of  the  body- volution." — (A.  H.) 

EuTOMOCEBAS  Laubei,  Meek. 

Plate  10,  figs.  8  and  8  a. 

Shell  compressed-Wnticular,  with  the  periphery  very  acutely  carinated; 
umbilicus  small,  or  scarcely  more  than  one-sixth  the  greatest  diameter  of 
the  shell.     Volutions  much  compressed  laterally,  with  the  sides  gradually 


UPrER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES.  127 

converging,  and  sliglitly  convex  in  outline,  to  the  acutely  angular  periphery, 
on  each  side  of  which  there  is  a  very  shallow  undefined  concavity 
that  can  hardly  be  called  a  channel,  while  on  the  inner  side  they  are 
abruptly  truncated  or  inflected,  and  gathered  into  little  subnodose  wrinkles 
at  the  umbilicus;  each  turn  enveloping  about  four-fifths  of  the  next 
one  within.  Aperture,  as  determined  by  transverse  sections  of  the  volu- 
tions, compressed-subhastate,  being  acutely  angular  at  the  outer  end,  and 
profoundly  notched  on  the  inner  side,  for  the  reception  of  the  next  turn 
within.  Surface  ornamented,  in  young  shells  of  one  and  a  half  inches  in 
diameter,  by  small  regular  costse,  that  bifurcate  at  or  near  the  little  promi- 
nences or  wrinkles  at  the  margin  of  the  umbilicus,  after  which  they  cross 
the  sides  and  curve  very  strongly  forward  as  they  approach  the  periphery, 
where  they  become  merely  obsolescent  lines,  that  are  continued  some  dis- 
tance forward  almost  parallel  to  the  carina ;  thus  indicating  the  probable 
presence  of  a  narrow  prolongation  of  the  outer  side  of  the  lip  at  the  aper- 
ture. A  few  very  small,  pimple-like  nodes  are  also  scattered  over  the  inner 
half  of  the  volutions  at  this  stage  of  the  shell's  growth,  while,  as  it  increased 
in  size,  the  costse  become  less  strongly  defined  and  the  little  nodes  more 
numerous ;  but  farther  around  toward  the  aperture  both  nodes  and  costa? 
gradually  fade  away,  until  it  is  probable  that  in  large  shells,  a  part,  or  possi- 
bly the  whole,  of  the  surface  becomes  nearly  or  quite  smooth.  (Septa 
unknown,) 

Greatest  diameter  of  a  specimen  incomplete  at  the  aperture,  1.40  inches; 
convexity,  about  0.65  inch. 

This  shell  has  an  unusually  acute,  unserrated,  peripheral  keel,  which, 
so  far  as  the  specimen  shows,  seems  to  retain  its  sharpness  both  in  the  young 
and  in  the  adult.  The  concavity  on  each  side  of  this  keel  is  very  shallow,  and 
merely  so  directed  as  to  contribute  to  the  thinness  of  the  knife-like  carina, 
rather  than  to  impart  any  tendency  to  divide  off  another  keel  or  even  obtuse 
ridge  on  either  side.  The  little  pimple-like  prominences  on  the  sides  of  the 
volutions  are  almost  entirely  on  the  inner  half,  maialy  on  the  little  costse, 
and  are  irregularly  scattered,  so  as  to  show  little  or  no  tendency  to  arrange 
themselves  in  spiral  rows.  The  obscure  wrinkles  or  little  prominences 
around  the  small  umbilicus  give  it  a  somewhat  puckered  appearance. 


1 28  TAL^^ONTOLOG  Y. 

This  shell  differs  from  all  of  the  compressed,  sharply-keeled  ammonitoid 
forms  known  to  me,  with  a  small  umbilicus  and  curved  costae,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  numerous  little  irregularly-arranged  pimple-like  nodes.  As  the 
specimen  shows  no  traces  of  the  septa,  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  which 
of  the  numerous  proposed  groups  it  most  nearly  approaches  in  its  internal 
characters. 

The  specific  name  is  given  in  honor  of  Dr.  Gustav  C.  Laube,  of  Vienna, 
the  author  of  the  beautiful  Monogi-aph  of  the  St.  Cassian  Fosfils. 

Locality  and  position, — Same  as  last. 

laenus  EUDISCOCERAS,  Hyatt. 

ev  (augm.  part.) ;  dlaKogy  a  quoit ;  nipa^y  a  horn. 

^^  This  type  is  distinguished  by  its  discoid  form,  open  umbilicus,  and 
an  abdominal  keel,  bordered  by  furrows  and  ridges,  the  latter  being  inter- 
rupted or  tubercular;  the  young  with  comparatively  large  pilae,  growing 
smaller  and  more  flexuous  in  the  adult,  and  finally  fading  away  in  the 
larger  half  of  the  body-volution." — (A.  H.) 

EUDISCOCERAS  Gabbi,  Meek. 

Plate  11,  figs.  3  and  3  rt. 

Shell  compressed-discoidal,  with  the  periphery  narrowly  truncated,  and 
having  a  narrow,  very  obscure,  smooth  ridge  along  the  middle ;  umbilicus 
shallow,  equaling  about  two-thirds  the  breadth  of  the  outer  turn;  volutions 
flattened  on  the  sides,  and  abruptly  truncated  around  the  umbilicus  on  the 
inner  side,  each  embra<?ing  apparently  about  two-thirds  of  the  next  within. 
Surface  with  moderate-sized,  rather  distinct,  bifurcating  costse  on  the  sides 
of  the  volutions  in  young  shells.  As  the  shell  advanced  in  growth,  the 
costse  became  smaller  and  more  crowded,  being  merely  coarsely  linear  on 
the  outer  turns,  where  they  curve  first  a  little  backward  at  the  umbilicus, 
then  arch  gently  forward  as  they  cross  the  middle  of  the  sides,  beyond 
which  they  usually  curve  a  little  backward,  and  then  very  shghtly  forward, 
as  they  abruptly  terminate,  so  as  to  leave  a  narrow,  smooth  space  between 
their  outer  ends  and  the  naiTow  periphery.  Around  each  margin  of  the 
latter  there  is  also  a  row  of  compressed  nodes  arranged  with  their  longer 


UPPER  TRIASSIC  SPECIES.  129 

axes  nearly  parallel  to  the  keel  of  the  periphery,  or  with  but  a  slight 
obliquity,  those  on  the  opposite  sides  often  alternating.     (Septa  unknown.) 

Greatest  diameter,  1.96  inches;  breadth  of  umbilicus,  0.60  inch;  con- 
vexity, 0.47  inch. 

This  form  is  quite  unlike  any  of  its  associates,  being  rather  peculiar  in 
the  nature  of  its  small  flexuous  costse,  and  the  presence  of  a  row  of  elon- 
gated nodes  around  each  margin  of  its  very  narrowly  truncated  and  keeled 
periphery,  the  nodes  being  arranged  with  their  longer  diameters  nearly  par- 
allel to  the  curve  of  the  truncated  margin  itself,  and  so  disposed  that  those 
on  opposite  sides  alternate.  The  ridge  along  the  middle  of  its  periphery  is 
narrow,  smooth,  and  not  so  defined  as  to  be  separated  from  the  row  of  com- 
pressed nodes  on  each  side  by  a  very  deep  furrow. 

This  shell  seems  to  be  related  to  the  St.  Cassian  species  Ammonites  Cor- 
varensis,  Laube,  as  represented  by  a  side-view  on  plate  xl,  fig.  3,  of  Professor 
Laube's  Monograph  of  the  St.  Cassian  Fossils,  especially  in  form  and  the 
nature  of  compressed  nodes  around  each  side  of  its  periphery.  It  differs, 
however,  in  having  a  proportionally  wider  umbilicus  and  well-defined  costae 
on  the  sides  of  its  volutions. 

Whether  Professor  Laube's  species  has  a  central  peripheral  ridge  or 
carina,  such  as  is  seen  in  our  shell,  cannot  be  determined  from  his  figure, 
giving  a  side-view  only,  and  he  says  nothing  in  his  description  on  this  point, 
doubtless  because  his  specimen  does  not  show  the  outer  margin  of  the  volu- 
tions :  nor  have  we  yet  the  means  of  making  comparisons  of  the  septa  of 
our  species  with  that  described  by  Professor  Laube. 

The  specific  name  of  this  shell  is  given  in  honor  of  WiUiam  M.  Gabb, 
esq.,  late  of  the  California  Geological  Survey,  and  now  in  charge  of  a  geo- 
logical survey  of  Santo  Domingo. 

Locality  and  position. — Cottonwood  Canon,  West  Humboldt  Range, 
Nevada;  Upper  Trias. 

9  PE 


130  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

JURASSIC    SPECIES. 

MOLLUSOA. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

LIMID^. 

Genus  LIMA,  Bruguifere. 

Lima  (Limatula)  erecta,  Meek. 

Plate  12,  ^g,  2. 

Shell,  exclusive  of  the  small  ears,  vertically  narrow-elliptic,  or  about 
once  and  a  half  as  high  as  the  antero-posterior  diameter,  moderately  con- 
vex, and  not  in  the  slightest  degree  oblique;  hinge  shorter  than  the  breadth 
of  the  shell,  and  ranging  at  right  angles  to  the  vertical  diameter  of  the 
valves;  ears  small,  compressed,  almost  exactly  equal,  and  obtusely  angular; 
beaks  small,  nearly  exactly  central,  and  slightly  incurved  without  any  appar- 
ent obliquity.  Surface  marked  with  fine  radiating  lines,  which  seem  to 
show  some  tendency  to  gather  into  a  few  distant  larger  costae,  near  the  nar- 
rowly-rounded basal  margin;  a  few  obscure  undulations  of  growth  are  also 
seen  crossing  the  striae. 

Greatest  vertical  diameter,  0.72  inch;  breadth,  or  anterior-posterior 
diameter,  0.50  inch;  convexity  of  one  valve,  about  0.10  inch. 

I  only  know  this  species  from  a  single  specimen,  showing  none  of  its 
internal  characters;  and,  owing  to  the  fact  that  it  is  not  in  the  slightest 
degree  oblique,  it  is  impossible  to  determine  whether  it  is  a  right  or  a  left 
valve.  It  is  remarkable  for  its  narrow  form,  equal  ears,  and  want  of 
obliquity.  Owing  to  the  fineness  of  its  striae,  and  the  fact  that  they  are 
obsolete  from  a  little  below  the  middle  to  the  beak,  I  have  been  unable  to 
see  whether  or  not  they  are  divaricating  along  the  middle,  as  in  some  spe- 
cies of  LimatulUj  though  they  seem  not  to  be  so  from  their  direction  below. 

Locality  and  position, — New  Pass,  Desatoya  Mountains,  Nevada;  appar- 
ently from  the  horizon  of  the  Lower  Lias. 


JURASSIC  SPECIES.  131 

PINNID^. 

Genus  PINNA,  Linnaeus. 

Pinna  Kingii,  Meek. 

Platel2,  figs.  9,  9  a. 

Shell  attaining  about  a  medium  size,  very  thin,  elongate-subtrigonal  in 
general  outline,  apparently  slightly  arcuate,  rather  convex,  with  a  more  or 
less  defined  angle  extending  along  the  middle  of  each  valve,  so  as  to  give  the 
transverse  section,  especially  at  almost  any  point  between  the  middle  and  the 
beaks,  a  rhombic  subquadrangiilar  outline,  becoming  more  compressed  pos- 
teriorly; upper  and  lower  margins  converging  rather  rapidly  to  the  beaks, 
the  first  being  very  nearly  straight,  and  the  latter  slightly  convex;  posterior 
extremity  a  little  obliquely  truncated,  but  rounding  into  the  base  below ; 
valves  flattened  from  the  mesial  angle  to  the  upper  and  lower  margins.  Sur- 
face marked  by  fine  lines  of  growth  running  parallel  to  the  posterior  and  lower 
margins,  and  showing  a  tendency  to  gather  into  little  wrinkles,  particularly 
near  the  latter;  while  above  the  lateral  angle  they  are  crossed  b}^  about  ten 
to  twelve  obscure  radiating  costse,  most  distinctly  defined  near  the  beaks,  and 
gradually  becoming  obsolete  near  the  middle. 

Apparently  attaining  a  length  of  about  4  inches,  with  a  height  at  the 
posterior  end  of  about  1.90  inches;  convexity,  0.85  inch. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  contained  in  the  collection  is  in  an 
imperfect  condition,  though  sufficiently  well  preserved  to  show  its  form  and 
surface-markings,  as  well  as  its  remarkable  thinness.  In  form  and  size,  it 
seems  to  have  been  much  like  P.  cancellata  of  Bean  (Moiris  and  Lycett's 
Monogr.  Moll.  Great  Oolite,  tab.  xiii,  fig.  20  a  b),  from  which  it  differs  in 
having  a  mesial  angle  along  each  valve,  and  in  having  its  radiafing  costse 
obsolete  on  the  posterior  part  of  the  valves.  These  costa3  likewise  differ 
in  being  merely  obscure  ridges  on  our  shell,  about  as  wide  as  the  furrows 
between,  instead  of  mere  '' knotted  lines  ^^  It  is,  however,  about  as  nearly 
allied  to  some  imperfectly-known  Carboniferous  species  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley. 

Locality  and  position. — Weber  Canon,  Wasatch  Range;  possibly  Ju- 
rassic ;  though  it  may  be  Carboniferous,  as  it  was  found  loose,  and  rocks  be- 


1 32  PALEONTOLOGY. 

longing  to  both  of  these  ages  occur  there.  As  elsewhere  explained,  the 
fossils  on  the  lower  half  of  this  plate  were  figured  together,  because  some 
doubts  at  first  existed  in  regard  to  the  exact  horizons  of  the  beds  from  which 
they  came.  Some  of  them  are  certainly  Carboniferous;  while  others  are 
more  like  Jurassic  forms. 

MYTILID^. 

Genus  VOLSELLA,  Scopoli. 

VOLSELLA  SCALPEXJM,  var.  ISONEMA. 

Plate  12,  figs.  4,  4  a. 

Moviola  scalprum^  Sowerby  (1821),  Miiu  Conch,,  III,  87,  pi.  248,  fig.  2. 
Mytllus  scalprum,  Goldf.  (1833),  Petref.  Germ.,  II,  174,  tab.  130,  fig.  9. 

Shell  attaining  a  moderate  size,  extremely  thin,  transversely  elongated, 
or  about  twice  and  a  half  as  long  as  high,  gibbous  along  the  umbonal  slopes, 
and  rather  distinctly  arcuated;  hinge-line  apparently  nearly  half  the  length 
of  the  valves,  passing  gradually  into  the  slope  of  the  posterior  dorsal  curve; 
posterior  margin  curving  obliquely  backward  and  downward  to  the  rather 
narrowly-rounded  posterior  basal  extremity;  pallial  margin  broadly  sinuous 
or  arched,  so  as  to  be  nearly  parallel  to  the  dorsal  and  posterior  dorsal  out- 
line; anterior  margin  rounding  up  to  the  beaks,  which  are  much  depressed, 
extremely  oblique,  very  slightly  projecting,  somewhat  compressed,  and 
placed  nearly  over  the  anterior  end;  umbonal  slopes  very  prominently 
rounded,  so  as  to  form  an  oblique  ridge,  extending  from  near  the  beaks  to 
the  posterior  basal  extremity;  above  and  behind  this  ridge,  the  surface  is 
slightly  convex,  while  the  flanks  below  it  are  more  or  less  concave.  Sur- 
face ornamented  with  very  fine  and  perfectly  regular  concentric  lines. 

Length,  1.95  inches;  height,  0.77  inch;  convexity,  about  0.60  inch. 

This  shell  agrees  so  very  nearly  in  form  and  general  appearance  with 
Modiola  scalpmm  of  Sowerby,  and  especially  with  a  form  referred  by  Gold- 
fuss  and  others  to  that  species  (see  Petref  Germ.,  plate  130,  fig.  9),  that  I 
am  left  in  doubt  whether  it  is  not  a  mere  variety  of  the  same.  It  agrees 
less  nearly  with  Sowerby^s  original  figure,  but  his  illustrations  are  not  usually 
so  accurate  as  those  published  by  Goldfuss;  while  the  figure  referred  to 
in  the  work  of  the  latter  author  is,  I  believe,  generally  regarded  as  repre* 


JURASSIC  SPECIES.  133 

t 

senting  Sowerby's  species.  In  one  important  character,  however,  our  shell 
certainly  differs,  at  least  from  the  figures  published  by  both  of  the  above- 
mentioned  authors;  that  is,  in  the  great  regularity  of  its  concentric  striae.  If 
I  knew  their  figures  to  be  exactly  correct  in  this  respect,  I  should  not  hes- 
itate to  regard  our  shell  as  belonging  to  a  distinct  species;  but,  until  this 
question  can  be  settled  by  a  comparison  of  specimens,  I  prefer  to  view  it  as 
a  variety  of  Sowerby's  species.  In  the  fineness  and  regularity  of  its  striae, 
as  well  as  in  its  remarkable  thinness,  it  agrees  with  F,  pertenuis,  M.  &  H., 
from  the  Jurassic  beds  near  the  Black  Hills;  but,  in  addition  to  being  much 
larger,  it  is  more  arcuate,  and  has  more  prominent  umbonal  ridges;  while 
its  anterior  ventral  region  below  and  in  front  of  the  umbonal  ridge  is  pro- 
portionally larger.  It  is  barely  possible,  however,  that  these  may  not  be 
constant  characters. 

Locality  and  position, — Weber  Canon,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah;  Jurassic. 

TEIGONIID^. 

Genus  MYOPHORIA,  Bronn. 

Myophoria  LiNEATA,  Munsterl. 

Plate  12,  figs.  3,  3  a. 

Trigonia  Hneata,  Miinster  (1834),  Leonhard  uud  Bronn's  Jahrb.,  I,  5  and  9. 
Lyrodon  lineaturrij  Goldf.  (1838),  Petref.  Germ.,  II,  199,  tab.  136,  figs.  4,  a,  6,  c,  <!. 
Myophoria  lineata^  Munster  (1841),  Beitrage,  IV,  88,  tab.  7,  fig.  29;  and  (1864)  in 

Alberti's,  Trias,  111.— Laube  (1865),  Fauna  St.  Oass.,  59,  tab.  18,  fig.  7. 
Trigonia  lineata^  Giebel  (1852),  Dentschl.  Petref.,  392. 
Opis  lineata,  Laube  (1864),  Bemerk.  im  Jabrb.  d.  Geol.  Eeichsaust.,  489;  Fauna  der 

Scbicht.  von  St.  Cass.,  59,  pi.  xviii,  fig.  7. 

Shell  small,  trigonal,  rather  compressed;  anterior  end  shorter  than  the 
other,  rounding  from  below  the  beaks  into  the  base;  posterior  side  com- 
pressed, truncated,  with  a  slight  forward  slope  above,  and  angular  at  the 
base;  ventral  margin  semiovate,  rounding  up  anteriorly,  most  convex  in  out- 
line slightly  in  advance  of  the  middle,  and  straight  or  very  slightly  sinuous 
near  where  it  connects  with  the  posterior  basal  angle;  beaks  apparently 
elevated,  and  placed  a  little  in  advance  of  the  middle;  posterior  umbonal 
slope  forming  a  well-defined  angular  ridge  extending  from  the  back  part  of 


134  PALEONTOLOGY. 

» 

the  beaks  to  the  posterior  basal  angle.  Surface  ornamented  with  small, 
very  regular,  concentric  costse,  which  terminate  abruptly  on  the  posterior 
umbonal  ridge  of  each  valve,  or  are  only  continued  on  the  compressed  pos- 
terior dorsal  region  above  the  angle  as  fine  lines  of  growth. 

Length,  0.44  inch;  height,  about  0.36 inch;  convexity,  about  0.15  inch. 

This  shell  seems  to  agree  very  closely  in  outline  and  surface-markings 
with  the  published  figures  of  Miinster's  species,  and  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
it  the  same;  though  it  is  quite  as  probable  that  a  good  series  of  specimens 
would  show  specific  differences  separating  it  from  that  shell.  As  I  have 
only  seen  a  single  imperfect  specimen,  however,  and  that  presents  no  relia- 
ble characters  by  which  it  can  be  distinguished,  I  refer  it  with  doubt  to  M, 
lineata.  I  should  remark  here  that  its  costse  are  much  more  strongly  marked 
than  on  Miinster's  species,  as  illustrated  by  Dr.  Laube,  in  his  work  on  the 
St.  Cassian  Fossils,  but  in  this  respect  our  specimens  agree  exactly  with 
Goldfuss'  figures  of  that  species. 

Locality  and  position, — Weber  Canon,  Wasatch  Eange,  Utah;  from  above 
'^quarry  rock".  In  Europe,  M,  lineata  occurs  in  the  St.  Cassian  beds;  but 
the  shell  here  described  appears  to  occupy  a  higher  position  (in  the  Jurassic 
seriesj  if  its  exact  position  in  the  section  was  accurately  determined. 

ARCIDJl. 

Genus  CUCULL^A,  Lamarck. 
CucuLL^A  Haguei,  Meek. 

Platel2,  figs.  1,  la,  IJ. 
Compare  Cucullcea  concinna,  Phillips  (1835),  Geol.  Yorks.,  160,  pi.  v,  fig.  9. 

Shell  small,  oblong-subrhomboidal  in  outline,  about  once  and  a  half  as 
long  as  high,  and  rather  gibbous  in  the  central  region ;  posteriorly  a  little 
obliquely  truncated  above,  and  obtusely-subangular  and  most  prominent  at 
its  connection  with  the  base  below ;  base  nearly  straight  and  parallel  to  the 
cardinal  margin  along  the  middle,  and  rounding  up  rather  more  gradually 
in  front  than  behind ;  anterior  margin  compressed,  convex  in  outline,  and 
connecting  with  the  hinge  above  at  an  angle  of  about  98^  ;  hinge-line  less 
than  the  greatest  length  of  the  valves ;  beaks  rather  prominent,  gibbous, 


JURASSIC  SPECIES.  135 

incurved,  and  very  nearly  central ;  posterior  umbonal  slopes  more  or  less 
angular,  while  the  posterior  dorsal  region  above  these  oblique  umbonal 
ridges  is  compressed.  Surface  neatly  ornamented  with  small,  regular, 
radiating  lines,  or  raised  striae,  which  are  rather  widely  separated  and  larger 
on  the  anterior  part  of  the  valves,  where  they  curve  gracefully  forward,  and 
alternate  with  a  smaller  intermediate  series,  none  of  which  are  continued  to 
the  beaks ;  posteriorly  they  all  become  much  smaller,  and  closely  crowded ; 
crossing  all  of  these,  there  are,  on  all  parts  of  the  valves,  numerous  very 
small  regular  and  crowded  concentric  lines. 

Length,  0.67  inch ;  height,  0.35  inch  ;  convexity,  0.30  inch. 

This  species  seems  to  be  closely  allied  to,  and  may  even  be  identical  with, 
some  of  the  forms  that  have  been  referred  to  CucullcBa  concinnaj  Phillips,  by 
different  authors.  It  certainly  differs,  however,  very  materially  from  the 
type  of  C.  concinna,  as  originally  illustrated  by  Phillips,  in  being  much  less 
depressed,  proportionally  shorter,  decidedly  less  angular  along  the  poste- 
rior umbonal  slopes  and"  at  the  posterior  basal  extremity.  Phillips'  figure 
also  shows  obscure,  coarse,  radiating  costae,  on  the  posterior  surface  of  the 
valves  above  the  umbonal  angle,  not  seen  on  our  shell,  which  likewise 
differs  in  having  more  prominent  and  more  gibbous  umbones,  with  a  more 
rounded  basal  outline.  It  is  more  nearly  like  the  form  figured  under  Phillips' 
name  by  Goldfuss  (Petref  Germ.,  plate  cxxiii,  fig.  6  a,  ft),  and  by  Quenstedt 
(Der  Jura,  tab.  67,  fig.  16);  but  it  is  less  angular  at  the  extremities,  and  has 
more  gibbous  umbones.  It  may  also  be  compared  with  a  shell  figured  from 
the  Jura  by  Richard  Andree,  in  the  Zeitschrift  der  Deutschen  Geologischen 
Gesellschaft,  XII,  plate  xiv,  fig.  7,  under  d'Orbigny's  name  Area  subconcinnay 
which,  however,  is  less  depressed,  much  more  rounded  in  outline,  and  has 
smaller  and  lower  umbones  than  our  shell. 

Locality  and  position, — ^Weber  Cafion,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah ;  from  a 
limestone  apparently  of  Jurassic  age. 


136  PAL^EOISTOLOGY. 

ANATINIl)^. 

Genus  MYACITES,  Auct. 

Myacites  (Plexjbomya)  subcompressa,  Meek. 

Plate  12,  figs.  6,  6  a. 

Myacites  [Pleuromya)  nubcOmpressa^  Meek  (1873),  Hayden's  Ann.  Rep.  U,  S.  Geol.  Survey 
of  the  Territories,  472. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  oblong-subovate,  moderately  convex,  the  gi'eatest 
convexity  being  nearest  and  above  the  middle  of  the  anterior  end ;  valves 
nearly  closed,  or  but  slightly  gaping  behind ;  posterior  margin  somewhat 
abruptly  cuneate,  rounded  in  outline,  though  slightly  more  prominent  below 
the  middle ;  basal  margin  with  a  moderately  convex  outline,  rounding  up 
more  gradually  behind  than  in  front;  anterior  end  short,  subtruncated ; 
dorsal  margin  rather  short,  rounding  off  gradually  into  the  posterior  margin ; 
beaks  gibbous,  but  somewhat  flattened  on  the  outer  side,  rather  prominent, 
and  located  about  half-way  between  the  middle  and  the  anterior  end ;  anterior 
umbonal  slopes  prominently  rounded,  or  forming  a  rounded  undefined  ridge, 
which  descends  nearly  vertically  from  the  anterior  side  of  each  beak  to  the 
anterior  basal  margin ;  the  sides  behind  this  ridge  being  a  little  flattened,  or 
possibly  sometimes  slightly  concave  below.  Surface  marked  by  small, 
rather  regular,  but  not  strongly-defined,  concentric  ridges  that  become 
nearly  obsolete  on  the  posterior  dorsal  region  and  near  the  front. 

Length,  1.27  inches;  height,  0.92  inch;  convexity,  0.66  inch. 

This  shell  closely  resembles  some  varieties  of  Pleuromya  ferruginea  and 
P.  impressa,  Agassiz,  but  has  the  anterior  end  shorter  and  more  truncated, 
the  concentric  ridges  of  less  regularity,  and  the  concavity  extending  from  the 
beaks  to  the  anterior  basal  margins  of  the  valves  either  entirely  wanting  or 
very  feebly  marked.  In  first  pi-eparing  this  report,  I  had  written  the  above 
diagnosis  of  this  species,  and  prepared  the  figure  on  plate  12  ;  but  being  in 
doubt  r.specting  its  affinities,  1  did  not  then  propose  a  name  for  it  Subse- 
quently numerous  specimens  of  this  shell  were  brought  in  by  Dr.  Hayden's 
party  from  the  Canon  of  Yellowstone  River;  Spring  Cation;  near  Fort  Hall, 
Montana ;  and  other  localities.     These  show  that  it  varies  considerably  in 


JURASSIC  SPECIES.  137 

form  and  the  distinctness  of  its  costae,  though  our  figure  on  plate  12  gives  a 
good  idea  of  the  most  usual  appearance  of  this  shell. 

Locality  and  position. — Webor  Canon,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah;  Jurassic. 

Myacites  iKCOKSPicuus,  Meek. 

Plate  12,  fig.  10. 

Shell  very  small,  depressed,  elongate*subelliptic,  moderately  convex; 
posterior  margin  narrowly  rounded;  anterior  very  short,  truncated  obliquely 
forward  from  the  beaks  above,  and  rounded  below;  basal  margin,  subpar- 
allel  to  the  dorsal,  most  convex  in  outline  at  or  slightly  behind  the  middle, 
and  a  faintly  sinuous  anteriorly;  dorsal  outline  nearly  straight,  and  horizontal 
behind  the  beaks,  but  rounding  off  very  gradually  posteriorly;  beaks  some- 
what tumid,  rising  slightly  above  the  cardinal  margin  just  behind  them,  and 
placed  near  the  anterior  end;  posterior  umbonal  slopes  prominently  rounded; 
while  a  broad  shallow  compression,  or  slight  concavity,  extends  from  the 
beaks  to  the  anterior  ventral  margin  of  each  valve.  Surface  only  showing 
obscure  concentric  marks  of  growth. 

Length,  about  0.45  inch;  height,  0.20  inch. 

Although  there  is  nothing  particularly  notable  in  the  form  or  general 
appearance  of  this  little  shell,  I  have  been  unable  to  identify  it  with  any  of 
the  described  species.  Perhaps  its  most  marked  features  are  its  small  size, 
depressed  form,  and  narrowly- rounded  extremities.  It  may  be  a  young 
shell,  and  in  larger  individuals,  more  nearly  approaching  some  of  the  described 
species;  but  my  present  impression  is  that  it  is  new. 

Locality   and  position,— W eher  Oaiion,  Wasatch   Range,   Utah.     The 

specimen  Avas  supposed  to  have  come  from  the  rock  in  which  the  Spiriferina 

RTid  Aviculopecten  of  the  same  plate  were  obtained;  but  it  probably  belonged 

to  some  Jurassic  bed  at  that  locality.     (See  note  on  the  explanations  of 

plate  12.) 

Myacites  (Pleuromya)  TVeberensis,  Meek. 

Plate  12,  figs.  11,  11  a. 

Shell  of  about  medium  size,  moderately  gibbous,  subovate;  anterior 
side  very  short  and  subtruncated,  but  rounding  into  the  base;  basal  margin 
forming  a  semiovate  curve,  more  prominent  anteriorly,  and  curving  up  more 


138  PALEONTOLOGY. 

gradually  behind;  posterior  side  apparently  narrowly  rounded,  and  most 
prominent  above  the  middle;  beaks  nearly  over  the  anterior  margin,  rather 
pointed,  depressed,  and  strongly  incurved.  Surface  ornamented  by  numer- 
ous, rather  small,  but  well  defined  and  very  regular,  concentric  costse,  about 
equaling  in  breadth  the  furrows  by  which  they  are  separated. 

Length,  about  1.40  inches;  height,  0.81  inch;  convexity,  0.72  inch. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  in  the  collection  has  had  about  one- 
third  of  the  posterior  dorsal  region  broken  away.  The  general  outline,  how- 
ever, can  be  pretty  accurately  inferred  from  the  curve  of  the  costse.  It  has 
somewhat  the  appearance  of  the  anterior  portion  of  an  AUorisma;  and  I  am 
not  quite  sure  that  it  may  not  more  properly  belong  to  that  genus,  especially 
as  it  seems  to  have  the  cardinal  margins  of  the  valves  inflected,  as  we  see 
in  AUorisma,  Still  the  curves  of  its  costse  show  that  it  was  a  proportionally 
shorter  shell  than  is  usual  in  that  genus,  and  its  beaks  are  more  nearly 
terminal  than  is  often  seen  in  AUorisma, 

Locality  and  position, — Weber  Canon^  Wasatch  Range,  Utah.  Originally 
supposed  to  have  come  from  the  same  horizon  as  the  Spiriferina  and  Avicu- 
lopecten  figured  on  the  lower  half  of  the  same  plate ;  but  as  those  shells  are 
certainly  of  Carboniferous  age,  this  one,  unless  it  may  be  an  AUorisma, 
probably  belonged  to  a  higher  horizon,  although  found  loose  with  the  other 
forms  mentioned. 

CEPHALOPODA. 

BELEMNITID^. 
Genus  BELEMNITES,  Auct. 
BELEMNriES  Nevadensis,  Meek, 

Plate  12,  figs.  7,  7  a,  7  &  (and  8  a,  8  ft  f). 

Guard  attaining  a  medium  or  larger  size,  gradually  tapering,  appar- 
ently not  perfectly  straight;  section  circular  at  the  anterior  end,  but  com- 
pressed-elliptic near  the  posterior  end;  alveolus  elongate-conical,  and  extend- 
ing back  nearly  half  the  length  of  the  guard ;  surface  smooth. 

Length,  about  3.25  inches;  diameter  at  the  anterior  end,  0.60  inch; 
larger  diameter,  at  2.60  inches  behind  the  anterior  end,  0.46  inch;  smaller 
diameter,  at  the  same  point,  0.30  inch. 


JURASSIC  SPECIES.  139 

From  another  locality  in  the  same  region  in  which  the  guard  described 
above  was  obtained,  several  fragments  were  bought  in,  of  an  elongate-conical 
chambered  shell,  that  may  be  the  phragmacone  of  the  same  or  of  another 
Belemnite.  It  is  represented  by  figs.  8  and  8  a  of  plate  12,  and  will  be  seen 
to  taper  regularly  from  the  larger  to  the  smaller  end.  Its  section  at  all 
points  is  very  nearly  circular,  while  its  septa  are  deeply  concave,  and  sepa- 
rated by  spaces  equaling  about  one-fifth  the  greater  diameter  of  the  shell  at 
the  point  of  measurement.  The  siphuncle  is  very  slender,  and  exactly 
marginal;  surface  smooth,  or  only  showing  under  a  magnifier,  traces  of 
obscure  lines  of  growth  that  arch  forward  on  the  side  opposite  the  siphuncle. 
The  whole  shell  must  have  been,  when  entire,  nearly  six  inches  in  length, 
and,  if  really  the  phragmacone  of  the  above  Belemnite,  it  must  be  evident 
that  that  species  attained  a  much  larger  size  than  the  guards  figured  would 
indicate. 

Whether  the  last-mentioned  shell  is  the  phragmacone  of  a  Belemnite, 
or  the  shell  of  an  Orthoceras,  may  perhaps  admit  of  some  doubt  until  better 
specimens  can  be  obtained;  but  that  the  guard  described  above  is  that  of  a 
true  Belemnite,  there  can  be  no  doubt  whatever. 

Locality  and  position. — The  specimens  of  the  guard  are  labeled  ^'Cotton- 
wood Canon,  West  Humboldt  Range",  and  came,  I  am  informed  by  Mr. 
King,  from  the  upper  beds  of  the  series,  above  those  containing  the  Triassic 
fossils,  and  are  therefore  probably  of  Jurassic  (Liassic)  age.  The  larger 
chambered  shell  (figs.  8,  8  a)  is  labeled  '*  American  District,  West  Humboldt 
Range,"  Nevada;  and  probably  came  from  the  same  horizon. 


140  PALEONTOLOGY. 

CEETACEOUS    FOSSILS. 

MOLLUSOA. 

OSTREID^. 

Genus  OSTREA,  Linn. 

OsTREA  (undt.  sp.). 
Plate  15,  figs.  10,  and  10  o,  6,c. 

Shell  of  about  medium  size  and  thickness,  more  or  less  elongate-sub- 
ovate,  tapering  to  the  beak,  which  is  usually  abruptly  pointed,  and  often 
bent  a  little  to  the  left  or  to  the  right,  generally  compressed  and  subequi- 
valve.  Lower  valve  rather  shallow ;  ligament- area  triangular,  with  its  mesial 
furrow  usually  deep;  surface  merely  showing  appressed  imbricating  laminae 
of  growth,  without  any  traces  of  radiating  ridges,  plications,  or  stiise.  Upper 
valve  a  little  more  flattened,  or  sometimes  nearly  as  convex  as  the  other, 
but  rather  less  concave  within ;  beak  usually  more  obtuse,  and  the  ligament- 
area  often  proportionally  a  little  shorter,  with  its  mesial  ridge  well  defined; 
lateral  margins  often  thickeDed  and  crenated  near  the  beaks;  surface  much 
as  in  the  other  valve. 

Length  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  about  2.80  inches;  breadth,  1.90 
inches;  convexity  of  the  two  valves,  about  1  inch. 

In  first  preparing  this  report,  I  merely  gave  figures  of  this  Oyster  with- 
out a  specific  name.  Subsequently,  in  revising  portions  of  the  report,  with- 
out having  the  type-specimens  at  hand  for  comparison,  I  was  impressed  with 
the  similarity  of  this  shell,  as  figured  on  our  plate,  to  a  species  that  I  had 
in  the  mean  time  described  in  one  of  Dr.  Hayden's  reports  from  Wyoming, 
under  the  name  0.  Wyomingensis,  and  placed  that  name  with  a  mark  of 
doubt  opposite  its  number  on  the  explanations  of  the  plate,  while  I  also  in 
the  same  way  mentioned  it  in  a  hst  of  Coalville  species.  Having  since 
made  a  direct  comparison  of  the  specimens  from  the  two  localities,  I  am  led  to 
doubt  their  specific  identity,  though  they  are  certainly  very  much  alike.  The 
Coalville  specimens  have  the  beak  of  the  under  valve  less  curved  upward, 
and  the  lateral  margins  of  the  only  upper  valve  I  have  seen  from  that 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  141 

locality  more  strongly  crenate  or  transversely  striated  than  I  have  yet  seen 
in  any  example  of  the  Wyoming  shell.  As  I  have  only  two  lower  valves 
and  one  upper  from  Coalville,  it  is  not  possible  to  say  to  what  extent  this 
shell  may  vary.  If  distinct  from  0.  Wyomingensis,  it  might  be  called  0, 
Coalvillensis. 

Locality  and  position. — Coalville,  Utah;  Cretaceous. 

ANOMIIDiE. 

Anomia  b^tifoemis,  Meek. 

Shell  of  well-developed  specimens  tran&versely  subovate,  generally  more 
p.    J  broadly  rounded  on  the  left  side  (as  seen  from  above), 

and  rather  narrowly  rounded  on  the  right  margin,  with 
the  pallial  margin  between  semiovate  in  outline;  upper 
valve  moderately  convex,  the  greatest  convexity  being 
toward  the  left  margin,  while  the  narrowly-rounded 
right  margin  is  more  compressed  and  produced;  beak 
marginal,  nearly  central,  with  generally  a  slight  curva- 

Anomia  rwtiformis.  ji«i  n  i»  nn 

Cast  of  upper  valve,  nat-  turc  towarcl  the  right;  surtacc  showmg  small,  obscure 
^i»inkles  and  strise  of  growth,  with  sometimes  traces  of 
a  few  indistinct  radiating  markings  on  the  most  convex  part  of  the  umbo; 
lower  valve  unknown. 

Greatest  (transverse)  diameter,  1.26  inches;  diameter  from  beak  topallial 
margin,  1.12  inches;  convexity  of  upper  valve,  about  0.30  inch. 

This  species  presents,  in  the  well-developed  adult,  a  singular  Bceta- 
like  form,  being  narrowed  and  subrostrate,  or  more  or  less  produced  on  the 
right  (posterior)  margin.  The  younger  specimens  are  generally  more  nearly 
circular  in  form. 

I  know  of  no  other  Cretaceous  species  of  the  genus  very  nearly  allied 
to  this. 

Locality  and  position.— TRidge  southeast  of  Laporte,  Colorado  Territory; 
Cretaceous.     Horizon  of  the  Fox  Hills  Grroup  of  the  Upper  Missouri  section. 


142  PALuffiONTOLOGY. 

PTERIIDJE. 

Genus  INOCERAMUS,  Sowerby. 
Inoceramtts  Simpsoni,  Meek. 

Plate  13,  fig.  3. 

Inoceramus  Simpsoni,  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Pbilad.,  XII,  312 ;  and 
(1876)  in  Col.  Simpson's  Beport  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  360,  pi. 
iv,  fig.  4. 

„  Shell  (right  valve)  attaining  a  rather  large  size,  transversely  oval-subob- 
long,  gibbous,  the  greatest  convexity  being  in  the  antero-central  region, 
cuneate  posteriorly;  length  nearly  twice  the  height;  anterior  end  very  short 
and  rounded  from  the  beaks;  base  forming  a  long,  semi-elliptic  curve,  most 
prominent  near  the  middle,  and  somewhat  straightened,  or  even  slightly 
sinuous,  posteriorly;  hinge-line  long,  straight,  and  ranging  parallel  to  the 
longer  axis  of  the  shell;  posterior  margin  subtruncated,  with  a  slight  backward 
slope  above,  and  forming  an  abrupt  curve  into  the  oblique  posterior  basal 
margin;  beaks  depressed  so  as  to  project  little  above  the  hinge-line, 
incurved,  and  placed  nearly  over  the  anterior  margin.  Surface  ornamented 
with  moderately  distinct,  regular,  concentric  undulations  and  lines  of  growth. 

Length,  8.10  inches;  height,  about  4.30  inches;  convexity  of  right 
valve,  nearly  2  inches. 

The  only  specimen  I  have  seen  of  this  shell  is  a  cast  of  the  interior  of 
the  right  valve,  with  some  portions  of  the  moderately  thick  fibrous  shell 
attached.  It  belongs  to  the  group  Catillus,  as  most  generally  understood, 
excepting  in  wanting  the  peculiar  flexure  near  the  cardinal  margin;  that  is, 
to  the  group  composed  of  nearly  equivalve  (or,  at  any  rate,  not  very  strongly 
inequivalve)  shells,  with  a  more  or  less  elongated  hinge,  ranging  nearly  or 
quite  parallel  to  the  longer  axis  of  the  valves,  instead  of  having  a  shorter 
hinge  standing  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  longer  axis,  as  in  the  typical 
forms  of  Inoceramus^  which  latter  are  often  decidedly  inequivalve.  Although 
I  have  seen  but  the  right  valve  of  this  shell,  it  is  evident,  from  its  moder- 
ately gibbous,  as  well  as  transversely  elongated  form,  that  it  does  not  belong 
to  the  more  inequivalve  section  of  the  genus.  Its  most  remarkable  charac- 
ters are  its  transversely  elongated,  vary  inequilateral  form;  being  proportion- 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  143 

ally  longer  and  more  depressed  than  any  otherwise  nearly  allied  species  with 
which  I  am  acquainted. 

Locality  and  position. — North  Platte  River,  above  Platte  Bridge,  in  Da- 
kota Territory;  from  the  Cretaceous  formation  No.  2  or  3  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
souri section.  Discovered  by  Colonel  Simpson.  Museum  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution. 

INOCERAMUS  PROBLEMATICUS,   Schlot.l 

Plate  13,  figs.  2  and  2  a. 

Mytilites  prohlematictis^  Schlotb.  (1820),  Petref.,  312. 

Inoceramus  myUloides^  Sowerby  (1823),  Min.  Conch.,  V,  61,  pi.  442 ;  Goldf.  (1836), 

Petref.,  II,  118,  tab.  cxiii,  fig.  4. 
Catillus  Schlotheimii,  Neilssoo  (1827),  Petref.  Suecaua,  19. 
Catillus  mytiloideSj  Deshayes  (1830),  Eucyc.  M6th.,  II,  pi.  211. 
Inoceramus  prohlemaUcus,  d'Orbigny  (1843),    Pi)l^.ont.    Fr.,  Ill,  510. — Meek  (1873), 

Hayden's  Sixth  Report,  476;  and  (1876)  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across 

Great  Basin  of  Utah,  358,  pi.  4,  fig.  1  a. 
Compare  J.  mytiloides^  Roemer  (1852),  Kreid.  von  Texas,  60,  pi.  vii,  fig.  5  (^  L  myti- 

^ojpsis, Conrad (1857),  U. S. and  Mex. Bound.  Report,  1, 152,  pi. 5,  figs. 6a, and  Gh{ 

also  \^ith  L  pscudo-mytiloidesy  Schiel  (1855),  Pacific  Railroad  Reports,  II,  pi.  3, 

fig.  8. 

Shell  obliquely  subovate,  extremely  inequilateral,  rather  compressed, 
and  apparently  nearly  equi valve ;  anterior  margin  truncated  or  sloping  very 
obliquely  backward  from  the  beaks  to  near  the  middle,  where  it  passes  im- 
perceptibly into  the  base;  basal  margin  sloping  obliquely  backward  and 
rounding  into  the  posterior  basal  extremity,  which  is  generally  narrowly 
rounded;  hinge-line  rather  short  and  very  oblique  to  the  longer  axis  of  the 
valves;  posterior  dorsal  margin  sloping  obliquely  with  a  more  or  less  convex 
outline  from  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  hinge  to  the  posterior  basal  mar- 
gin; beaks  very  oblique,  acutely  pointed,  incurved,  and  terminal.  Surface 
ornamenied  with  small,  more  or  less  regular,  concentric  undulations  and 
striae. 

At  the  time  I  wrote  the  above  description,  I  had  seen  only  the  figured 
specimens,  which  are  much  broken  and  distorted.  Since  that  time,  I  have 
had  an  opportunity  to  collect  and  examine  a  large  series  at  the  same  locality 
in  Wyoming  from  which  those  figured  on  plate  13  were  collected.  These 
additional  specimens  show  that  this  shell  varies  greatly  in  form;  there  being 
apparently  an  unbroken  series  from  specimens  like  those  figured  on  our 


144  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

plate  to  forms  much  broader  posteriorly,  and  less  oblique.  They  all 
agree,  however,  in  having  the  beaks  much  more  attenuated  and  curved  for- 
ward than  in  any  figures  of  Schlotheim's  /.  problematicus^l  have  seen.  Some 
of  the  broader  forms  agree  more  nearly  with  some  of  those  cited  above,  and 
figured  by  Koemer  and  others  from  western  localities;  but  still  they  have 
more  pointed  and  oblique  beaks.  I  suspect  that  this  shell  belongs  to  a  dis- 
tinct species  from  /:  problematicus ;  but,  if  so,  it  will  probably  have  to  be 
designated  by  Dr.  Schiel's  name  /.  pseudo-mytiloides. 

Locality  and  position. — The  figured  specimens  were  brought  by  Colonel 
Simpson's  party  from  a  bed  of  yellow  Cretaceous  Sandstone  over  a  bed  of 
coal,  at  the  mouth  of  Sulphur  Creek  on  Bear  River,  Wyoming.  (See  bed 
number  12  of  sec,  on  page  451,  Dr.  Hayden's  Sixth  Ann.  Rep.,  1873.) 

Inooeeamus  (sp.  undt.). 

Plate  13,  figs.  4,  4  a. 

Compare  L  dimidiusj  White  (1876),  Palaeont.  Wheeler's  Surv.,  179,  [)1,  XVI,  figs.  2  a-d. 

This  is  a  neat,  symmetrical,  Kttle  shell,  of  obliquely-ovate  or  mytiloid 
form,  with  rather  pointed,  oblique,  terminal  beaks,  and  very  regular,  dis- 
tinct, concentric  surface-undulations.  It  may  be  a  young  of  the  last,  or  an 
entirely  distinct  species.  In  some  respects,  it  resembles  one  of  the  forms 
figured  by  Mr.  Conrad  in  the  United  States  and  Mexican  Boundary  Report 
(I,  plate  5,  fig.  6  b) ;  but  it  has  much  more  regular  surface-undulations,  and 
apparently  more  produced  beaks.  I  was  long  inclined  to  believe  it  the 
young  of  the  last  described  form;  but  it  may  be  distinct. 

[Long  since  the  above  was  written,  Dr.  White  described  from  Lieu- 
tenant Wheeler's  collections,  a  form  under  the  name  /.  dimidiuSj  from  near 
Pueblo,  Colorado,  that  agrees  very  nearly  with  this,  and  I  am  rather  inclined 
to  believe  it  to  be  the  same.  He  had  so  many  specimens  all  of  the  same 
small  size,  as  to  lead  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  most  probably  distinct  from 
L  problematicus.^ 

Locality  and  position. — Cretaceous  sandstone,  on  Sulphur  Creek,  near 
Bear  River,  Wyoming.     (Benton  or  Niobrara  group  of  Upp.  Mo.  Sec.) 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  145 

INOCEBA.MUS  ERECTUS,  Meek. 

Plate  13^  figs.  1  and  1  a ;  and  pL  14,  fig.  3. 

Compare  Tnoceramus  ElUottii,  Gabb  (1868),  Palaeont.  of  California,  II,  193,  pi.  31, 
fig.  90. 

Shell  attaining  a  medium  size,  vertically  ovate-oblong,  being  higher 
than  wide,  not  obhque,  very  gibbous,  and  nearly  or  quite  equivalve;  hinge 
shorter  than  the  antero-posterior  diameter  of  the  valves,  and  ranging  at  right 
angles  to  their  longer  (vertical)  axes;  basal  margin  regularly  rounded; 
anterior  margin  tmncated  nearly  vertically  from  the  front  of  the  beaks  more 
than  half-way  down,  but  rounding  into  the  base  below,  inflected  in  both 
valves  along  the  rather  gibbous  anterior  umbonal  slopes,  so  as  to  form  a  long, 
undefined,  lunule-like  excavation,  that  extends  more  than  half-way  down  from 
the  beaks;  beaks  not  very  prominent,  abruptly  pointed,  very  nearly  equal, 
incurved  with  rather  slight  obliquity,  and  placed  nearly  directly  over  the 
vertical  anterior  margin.  Surface  of  both  valves  ornamented  by  regular, 
medium-sized,  concentric  undulations,  which  are  usually  obsolete  on  the 
posterior  dorsal  region  and  the  inflected  anterior  margins. 

Height,  about  2.50  inches;  length,  2  inches;  convexity,  2.30  inches. 

As  I  have  only  seen  imperfect  specimens  (mainly  casts  in  sandstone) 
of  this  shell,  and  Mr.  Gabb  merely  gives  a  single  side-view  of  one  speci- 
men of  the  California  species  L  JElliottii,  without  measurements,  I  have 
doubts  in  regard  to  the  relations  of  these  shells.  In  outline,  as  seen  in  a 
side-view,  it  agrees  well  with  Mr.  Grabb's  figure  cited  above,  excepting  that 
it  appears  to  be  more  convex  than  his  shading  would  indicate,  and  has 
more  obtuse  undulations. 

[Since  writing  the  above,  I  have,  through  the  politeness  of  Mr.  Gabb, 
had  an  opportunity  to  compare  our  shell  with  the  type  of  his  L  EUiottii,  and 
I  am  led  to  regard  the  two  as  belonging  to  distinct  species.  The  California 
form  is,  as  I  had  inferred  from  Mr.  Gabb's  figures,  much  more  compressed; 
while  its  surface  undulations  difier  decidedly  in  being  very  acutely  angular. 
As  I  have  not  been  able  to  identify  our  shell  with  any  other  described 
species,  I  add  the  name  /.  erectus  for  it  here  as  this  report  is  passing  through 
the  press.] 

Locality  and  position, — Chalk  Creek,  near  Uptown,  Utah;  Cretaceous. 

10  TB 


146  PALiEONTOLOGY. 

INOCEBAMUS  DBFOBMIS,   Meek. 

Platel4,  figs.  4,  4  a. 

Inoceramus ?,  Hall  (1845),  in  Gen.  Fremont's  Eeport  ExpK  Eocky  Mts.,  309,  pi. 

iv,  fig.  2. 
Inoceramus  deformis  (lS7!i),  Hayden's  Secoud  Anii.  Eeport  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey  of  the 

Territories,  29C.— White  (187G),  Palseout.  Wheeler's  Survey,  179,  pi.  xv,  figs. 

la^b. 
Compare  Raploscapha  eapax,  Conrad  (1874),  in  Hayden's  Ann.  Geol.  Eeport  for  1873, 

456;  also  H,  grandis^  Conrad  (1875),  in  Cope's  Eeport  on  the  Vertebrates  of 

Hayden's  Survey,  23,  pi.  Ivi. 

Shell  attaining  a  rather  large  size,  obliquely  ovate,  and  rather  com- 
pressed in  young  examples,  but  more  rounded,  gibbous,  and  irregular,  as 
well  as  much  less  oblique,  in  adult  specimens;  more  or  less  inequivalve,  but 
never  very  decidedly  so;  posterior  and  basal  margins  rounded;  the  latter 
curving  up  more  gradually  and  obHquely  to  the  short  anterior  margin ;  hinge 
short  and  usually  not  very  oblique;  beaks  moderately  prominent  and  placed 
betvreen  the  middle  and  the  anterior  margin ;  neither  greatly  more  elevated 
than  the  other.  Surface  ornamented  vrith  large,  strong,  concentric  undula- 
tions, w^hich  are  sometimes  moderately  regular,  but  often  very  irregular, 
and  generally  becoming  rather  abruptly  smaller  on  the  umbones,  where 
their  curves  indicate  the  greater  obliquity  of  the  young  shell. 

Height  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  about  4.50  inches;  length  of  same, 
4.30  inches;  convexity  of  right  valve,  about  2.50  inches. 

I  have  frequently  had  under  examination,  during  the  last  twelve  years, 
specimens  of  this  shell,  without  being  able  to  identify  them  with  any  described 
species.  Nearly  all  of  the  explorers  who  have  visited  the  eastern  slope  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains  between  the  south  branch  of  Platte  River  and  New 
Mexico  have  brought  in  specimens  of  it,  but  almost  always  in  a  distorted 
or  broken  condition.  Its  distortion,  however,  is  evidently  not  always  due 
to  accident,  since  it  often  resulted  from  one  of  the  depressions  between  two 
of  the  undulations  being  so  much  larger  and  deeper  than  the  others,  as  to 
give  the  valves  a  remarkably  constricted  appearance.  In  other  cases,  it 
resulted,  in  part  at  least,  from  the  great  irregularity  in  the  size  of  the  undu- 
lations themselves.  Although  it  is  often  found  distorted  in  general  form  by 
accidental  pressure,  it  was  evidently  also  naturally  quite  variable  in  out- 
line, particularly  in  convexity. 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  147 

Our  figured  specimen  is  merely  an  imperfect  internal  cast  of  a  right 
valve  with  the  umbonal  and  anterior  portions  broken  away. 

Professor  Hall  seems,  from  his  remarks  in  Fremont's  report,  to  have 
regarded  this  shell  as  being  related  to  L  involutus  of  Sowerby.  It  is, 
however,  very  distinct  from  that  species,  and  even  belongs  to  a  different 
section  of  the  genus,  as  it  certainly  did  not  have  one  valve  very  greatly 
larger  than  the  other,  as  I  know  from  the  examination  of  numerous 
specimens  of  both  valves.  The  specimen  figured  by  Professor  Hall,  and 
described  by  him  as  being  *^flat",  is,  as  may  be  readily  seen  by  the  curve 
of  the  undulations,  a  left  valve;  while  the  corresponding  valve  in  A,  invo- 
lutus is  extremely  gibbous,  elevated,  and  involute,  being  almost  like  a  spiral 
univalve.  His  figure  well  illustrates  a  peculiar  flattening  of  the  umbonal 
region,  and  the  greater  obliquity  of  the  undulations  often  seen  on  that  part 
of  both  valves. 

I  believe  the  shell  here  described  to  be  also  the  same  as  that  on  which  Mr. 
Conrad  has  proposed  to  found  a  new  genus,  Ilaploscapha,  Since  the  pub- 
lication of  his  descriptions,  already  quoted,  he  has  informed  me  that  he  had 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  his  proposed  new  genus  is  identical  with 
CatiUus,  Brongniart;  bvit  that  he  still  retains  his  name,  on  the  ground  that 
the  name  Catillus  had  been  previously  used  for  Navicelhy  Lamarck,  by 
Humphrey,  in  1797.^  I  have  not  had  an  opportunity  to  examine  Mr.  Con- 
rad's specimens,  but  I  had  always  supposed  this  shell  to  be  an  Inoceramtis, 
and,  like  nearly  all  others,  had  believed  Catillus,  Brongniart,  not  to  be  more 
than  subgenerically  distinct  from  Inoceramits  proper.  If  Mr.  Conrad's  name 
Haploscapha  should  be  retained,  the  name  of  the  species  here  described 
would  probably  become  Inoceramus  (Haploscapha)  deformis.  If  not,  it  will 
probably  be  Inoceramus  {Catillus)  deformis.f 

^Catillus,  of  Humphrey,  however,  was  published  merely  in  a  list,  without  auy 
diagnosis,  figure,  or  the  citation  of  any  known  type,  and  therefore,  I  should  think, 
ought  not  to  stand. 

t  The  principal  characters  that  have  led  Mr.  Conrad  to  separate  such  shells  from 
Inoceramus  are,  if  I  have  correctly  understood  him,  a  kind  of  rolling  or  flexure  of  the 
hinge-margin  (none  of  our  specimens  are  in  a  condition  to  show  whether  they  possess 
this  character  of  the  hinge-margin  or  not),  the  entire  absence  of  hinge-teeth,  the  very 
thin  substance  of  the  shell  near  the  iinibones,  and  its  greater  thickness  at  the  free 
margins.    There  are  various  types  of  Inoceramus^  however,  without  hinge-teeth )  the 


148  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Locality  and  position. — Common  in  Kansas,  and  near  Pueblo  and  Col- 
orado City,  as  well  as  at  other  places  in  Colorado  along  eastern  base  of  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  farther  west;  everywhere  in  the  Benton  and  Niobrara  Groups. 

ARCID-^. 

Genus  CUCULL^A,  Lamarck. 

OucuLL^A  (Trigonarca?)  obliqxja,  Meek. 

Plate  14,  figs.  1, 1  a,  1 1, 

Shell  attaining  about  a  medium  size,  rhombic-subovate,  moderately 
convex,  the  greatest  convexity  being  along  the  posterior  umbonal  slope, 

presence  of  one  or  more  obscure  anterior  teeth  being  an  exceptional,  and  not  by  any 
means  a  general,  character  in  this  grgup.  i.  striatvsj  Mantell,  for  instance,  has  one 
obscure  anterior  hinge-tooth  in  one  valve,  while  the  nearly  allied  L  snhstriatm  is  figured 
by  Goldfuss  without  any  traces  whatever  of  such  tooth.  Again,  Goldfuss  figures 
another  shell  that  he  refers  to  I,  Brongniartij  with  indications  of  three  small  anterior 
hinge-teeth.  On  the  other  hand,  I.  Guvleriij  Sowerby,  from  which  the  original  figures 
and  description  of  the  genus  were  prepared,  has  no  hinge-teeth;*  and,  according  to 
the  best  authorities,  this  is  the  case  with  nearly  all  the  other  known  species  the  hinges 
of  which  have  been  seen. 

In  regard  to  the  greater  thinness  of  the  shell  at  the  umbones  than  at  the  free 
margins,  it  should  be  remembered  that  it  is  the  outer  prismatic  layer,  and  not  the 
inner  pearly  layer,  that  Mr.  Conrad  refers  to.  So  far  as  1  have  been  able  to  see,  how- 
ever, this  outer  layer  is  not  unfrequehtly  thinnest  near  the  umbones,  excepting  under 
the  beaks  along  the  hinge,  in  different  types  of  the  genus*  In  our  shell,  this  outer 
fibrous  layer,  like  that  of  other  species  in  the  lower  divisions  of  the  Upper  Missouri 
Cretaceous,  is  nearly  always  found  with  the  inner  pearly  layer  dissolved  away,  in 
which  condition  the  fibrous  part  appears  to  have  been  flexible,  as  I  have  often  seen  it 
abruptly  folded  upon  itself  in  various  ways.  The  rolling-over  of  the  hinge-margin  in 
Mr.  Conrad's  type  I  should  think  not  of  generic  importance.  Mr.  Conrad  thinks 
J.  involutus  of  Sowerby  has  the  hinge-characters  of  his  Haploscapha;  but  Dr.  Stoliczka 
had  previously  proposed  for  that  type  the  name  Volviceramus  as  a  subgenus  under 
InoceramuSj  in  which  genus  all  authorities  have  plased  it. 

Since  writing  the  above,  Mr.  Conrad  has  informed  me  that  he  adopts  the  name 
Volviceramus^  and  ranges  Haploscapha  as  a  subgenus  under  it. 

*  Sowerby ^8  original  diagnosis  of  tbis  genus,  read  before  tbe  Linn.  Soc.  in  1814,  and  published  in 
the  Trans,  of  same,  XIII  (dated  1821,  but  usually  cited  1822-3),  was  drawn  up  from  I.  Cuvierii;  and 
Parkinson,  who  fijrst  adopted  the  genus  in  Trans.  Geol.  Soc.,  1821  (often  cited  1819),  mentioned  firsfc 
(p.  53)1.  CMuimi;  while  Mantell,  whoadoptedit  with  a  generic  diagnosis  in  Geol.  Suss.,  1822  described 
under  it  first  a  species  referred  by  him  to  J.  Cuvierii,  Hence  this  species  has  been  cited  as  the  type 
of  the  genus;  but, owing  to  the  fact  that  Sowerby,  in  publishing  the  genus  in  his  Min.  Con.,  Ill  (title 
p  1821,  index  1822),  described  under  it  first  /.  concentricttSf  Park.,  some  regard  that  as  the  type. 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  140 

while  the  anterior  ventral  region  is  abruptly  cuneate;  anterior  .margin 
rounded  in  outline;  base  with  a  shallow  semiovate  outline,  being  usuall)^ 
slightly  more  prominent  in  advance  of  tlie  middle;  posterior  margin  long, 
and  very  obliquely  truncated,  with  a  slightly  convex  outline,  from  the  hinge 
to  the  posterior  basal  extremity,  which  is  prominent  and  subangular;  hinge- 
margin  very  short,  or  little  more  than  equaling  one-third  the  length  of  the 
valves;  posterior  umbonal  slopes  prominent,  and  more  or  less  angular  from 
the  beaks  to  the  posterior  basal  angle;  cardinal  area  short  and  rather  nar- 
row; beaks  moderately  prominent,  incurved,  and  placed  one-fourth  to  one- 
third  the  length  of  the  valves  from  the  anterior  margin.  Surface  ornamented 
by  moderately  distinct  lines  of  growth,  crossed  by  obscure  radiating  cost« 
that  are  wider  than  tlie  mere  linear  furrows  between. 

Length,  1.50  inches;  height,  1  inch;  convexity,  about  0.70  incli. 

I  only  know  this  shell  from  casts  that  do  not  show  the  hinge.  They 
bear  impressions,  however,  in  some  instances,  of  a  ridge  or  projection  along 
the  margin  of  the  posterior  muscular  scar,  as  in  CucuUcea.  From  the  gen- 
eral form  of  the  shell,  and  its  very  short  hinge-margin,  I  can  scarcely  doubt 
that  it  belongs  to  Mr,  Conrad's  group  Trigonarca;  but,  until  the  hinge  can 
be  seen,  its  relations  to  that  genus  cannot  be  satisfactorily  determined.  .  I 
know  of  no  very  nearly  allied  species. 

Locality  and  position. — East  Canon  Creek,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah;  in  a 
whitish  sandstone  of  Cretaceous  age. 

Genus  AXINJEA,  Poli. 

AxiN^A  Wyomingensis,  Meek 

Shell  attaining  a  medium  size,  subcircular  or  very  slightly  longer  than 
high,  gibbous,  thick,  and  strong;  beaks  rather  prominent;  basal  margin 
semicircular,  and  rounding  regularly  upward  in  front  into  the  anterior  border, 
which  rounds  to  the  cardinal  edge,  so  as  scarcely  to  produce  more  than  a 
very  slight  angularity  at  the  connection  of  the  two  above;  posterior  margin 
making  a  slightly  broader  and  similar  curve,  excepting  that  it  is  faintly 
sinuous  above  the  middle;  hinge  plate  thick,  moderately  arched,  with  denti- 
cles rather  strong,  nearly  straight,  or  a  little  curved,  numbering  about  eight 
or  ten  well-developed  ones  in  front,  and  sev^n  or  eight  behind,  with  per- 


150 


PALAEONTOLOGY. 


Axiticea  Wyomingensis. 
Fig.  2.  Exterior  or  left  valve,  with  surface  somewhat 

eroded. 
Fig.  3.  Interior,  and  hinge  of  eamo. 


Imps  a  few  other  smaller  ones  towoxd  .the  central  region ;  cardinal  margin 

short;  hinge-area  small,  with  apparently  only  a  few  coarse  cartilage-fur- 

Fig.  2.  Fig.  3.  rows;  pallial  margin  strongly  cre- 

nate  within;  surface  ornamented 
by  fine  concentric  strise,  and  a 
few  stronger  marks  of  growth, 
crossed  by  about  thirty-five  to 
forty  very  obscure  radiating,  flat- 
tened, or  much  depressed  costse, 
only  separated  by  scarcely  per- 
ceptible narrow  or  linear  fur- 
rows. 

Height,  1.30  inches;  breadth,  1.33  inches;  convexity,  1.04  inches. 
This  species  is  perhaps  as  nearly  allied  to  A,  suhimhricata,  M.  &  H., 
as  to  any  other  Cretaceous  form.  It  is  a  much  thicker  and  more  gibbous 
shell,  however,  with  proportionally  less  transverse  valves,  and  much  less 
distinctly  defined  costse.  It  also  differs  in  having  a  broader  hinge-plate 
and  straighter  hinge-denticles.  If  Poll's  name  AxincBa  should  not  be 
retained  for  this  genus,  the  name  of  this  species  here  described  will  become 
Pectunculus  Wyomingensis. 

Locality  and  position, — East  side  of  Cooper  Creek,  near  Old  Stage  Sta- 
tion; Laramie  Plains,  Wyoming  Territory ;  Cretaceous. 

CORBULIDJ]. 
Genus  CORBULA,  Bruguifere. 

CORBULA  (imdt.  sp.). 
Plato  14,  fig.  5^. 

Shell  transversely  ovate-pyriform,  being  gibbous  in  the  anterior  and 
umbonal'^ regions,  and  distinctly  contracted,  compressed,  and  subrostrate 
behind;  ventral  margin  semiovate,  with  the  most  prominent  part  a  little  in 
advance  of  the  middle;  anterior  margin  truncated  obliquely  forward  from 
the  beaks  above,  and  somewhat  abruptly  rounded  from  near  the  middle 
into  the  base;  beak  (of  left  valve)  prominent,  rather  gibbous,  incurved,  and 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  1 5 1 

placed  in  advance  of  the  middle;  dorsal  outline  somewhat  concave  behind 
the  beaks.     Surface  apparently  smooth      Hinge  and  interior  unknown. 

Length,  0.96  inch;  height  (of  left  valve).  0.66  inch. 

I  have  seen  but  a  single  cast  of  the  left  valve  of  this  shell  (apparently 
of  its  exterioi*),  and  consequently  know  nothing  of  its  hinge,  muscular,  and 
palUal  impressions,  nor  of  the  relative  convexity  of  its  right  valve.  It  will 
be  seen,  however,  to  agree  very  closely  in  form,  so  far  as  we  have  the 
means  of  making  a  comparison,  with  the  large  species  G.  pyriformis^  from 
the  fresh-  or  brackish- water  deposits  at  the  Sulphur  Creek  locality  near  Bear 
Hiver,  Wyoming,  figured  on  plate  17.  The  resemblance  is  so  close  to  cer- 
tain forms  of  that  variable  species,  such  as  fig.  2  a  of  plate  17,  that  I  should 
have  suspected  that  the  label,  indicating  a  different  locality  and  position, 
had  been  accidentally  associated  with  it,  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  it  is 
composed  of  a  different  material  (a  light-colored  sandstone)  from  the  matrix 
of  the  Sulphur  Creek  fossils.  If  the  label  really  refers  to  its  proper  locality, 
it  will  probably  prove  to  be  a  distinct  species  from  that  found  at  Sulphur 
Creek,  as  there  seems,  so  far  as  yet  known,  to  be  no  species  common  to  the 
two  localities,  unless  this  one  may  be  so.  If  a  new  species,  G.  pirum  would 
be  a  good  name  for  it. 

Locality  and  position, — Coalville,  Utah ;  Cretaceous  sandstone. 

CAKDlIDiE. 

Genus  CARDIUM,  Linnaeus. 
Cardtum  curtum,  M.  &  E.l 

Plate  15,  fig.  3  (not  3  a). 

Cardtum  (R&inicardimn  f)  cv,rtum^  Meek  and  Hayden  (1861),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci. 
Philad.,  Xni,  442. 

Shell  truncate-suborbicular,  with  height  and  length  generally  about 
equal,  and  the  greatest  convexity  along  or  near  the  angular  posterior  umbo- 
nal  slopes;  anterior  margin  rounding  into  the  rounded  or  semi-ovate  base, 
which  is  often  most  prominent  slightly  behind  the  middle;  posterior  margin 
obliquely  truncated  above,  and  very  abruptly  rounded  or  subangular  below; 
beaks  elevated,  rather  pointed,  and  strongly  incurved  at  right  angles  to  the 
hinge, placed  slightly  in  advance  of  the  middle;  hinge-margin  short;  posterior 


152  PALEONTOLOGY. 

umbonal  slopes  and  back  part  of  beaks  angular,  the  angularity  being  con- 
tinued obliquely  to  the  posterior  basal  margin,  while  the  surface  behind 
these  angular  slopes  is  flattened,  and  rather  abruptly  inflected  to  the  trun- 
cated hinder  margin.  Surface  ornamented  by  distinct  radiating  non-spinif- 
erous  costse,  about  equal  to  the  intermediate  furrows;  cost^  largest  and 
sometimes  bifurcating  on  the  flattened  surface  behind  the  umbonal  angles, 
and  simple  and  very  regular  in  front  of  the  same,  where  they  gradually 
diminish  in  size  anteriorly;  lines  of  growth  moderately  distinct 

Length,  about  0.80  inch;  height,  0.75  inch;  convexity,  about  0.60  inch. 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  in  the  collection  seem  to  agree  pretty  closely 
with  (7.  curtum^  but  are  proportionally  slightly  longer,  with  rather  more 
depressed  beaks,  and  less  sloping  anterior  and  posterior  dorsal  margins. 
Hence,  I  am  not  quite  sure  of  their  exact  specific  identity.  At  the  time  this 
report  was  originally  prepared,  I  supposed  the  smaller  shell,  represented  by 
fig.  3  a  of  the  same  plate,  might  possibly  be  the  young  of  that  here  under 
consideration;  but,  on  subsequently  collecting  and  examining  a  number  of 
specimens  at  the  same  district  and  horizon,  I  was  led  to  believe  these  forms 
much  more  probably  distinct,  and  consequently  proposed  the  name  C.  sub- 
curtum  for  that  represented  by  our  fig.  3  a,  in  one  of  Dr.  Hayden's  reports. 

These  shells  belong  to  the  genus  Cardiuniy  but  not  to  the  typical  sec- 
tion, I  originally  referred  the  typical  C.  curium  very  doubtfully  to  the 
section  Hemicardium;  but  it  cannot  be  properly  included  in  that  section, 
being  much  nearer  the  subgenus  Fragrum^  but  still  not  agreeing  with  that 
group  either. 

Locality  and  position, — The  type-specimens  of  C.  curtum  were  brought 
by  Captain  Raynolds  from  Gros  Ventres  River,  Wyoming,  from  a  gray 
sandstone  of  Cretaceous  age.  The  specimens  liere  under  consideration  came 
from  Chalk  Creek,  two  miles  west  of  Uptown,  Utah,  where  they  occur  in  a 
whitish  Cretaceous  sandstone. 

Carmum  subcubtum.  Meek, 

Plate  15,  fig.  3  a  (not  fig.  3). 
Gardmm  stcbcurtunij  Meek  (1873),  see  foot  note  in  Dr.  Hayden's  Sixth  Ann*  Eeport  Geol. 
Survey  of  the  Territories,  476. 

Shell  under  medium  size,  truncato-sub,orbicular,  about  as  high  as  wide. 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  153 

rather  convex,  and  but  very  slightly  oblique;  beaks  nearly  central,  rather 
prominent,  distinctly  incurved  almost  at  right  angles  to  the  hinge;  posterior 
margin  truncated  with  a  slight  forward  obliquity,  so  as  to  connect  with  the 
dorsal  margin  at  an  obtuse  angle;  anterior  margin  rounding  regularly  into 
the  base,  which  describes  a  slightly  oblique  semi-ovate  curve,  being  more 
prominent  behind,  wjiere  it  rounds  up  very  abruptly  to  the  posterior  mar- 
gin, so  as  to  give  a  subangular  outline  to  the  posterior  basal  extremity; 
umbonal  slopes  rather  prominent,  but  not  angular;  hinge-margin  shorter 
than  the  length  of  the  valves.  Surface  ornamented  by  small,  regular,  sim- 
ple radiating  costae,  and  moderately  distinct  lines  of  growth. 

I  have  seen  specimens  nearly  twice  the  linear  dimensions  of  that  figured 
on  plate  15;  and,  as  these  have  the  posterior  umbonal  slopes  rounded  instead 
of  angular,  there  seems  to  be  very  little  reason  for  doubting  that  it  is  a  dis- 
tinct species  from  the  last.  As  already  stated,  I  at  first  thought  it  the  young 
of  (7.  curkim;  but  the  specimens  I  have  since  had  an  opportunity  to  examine 
have  led  to  a  different  conclusion. 

Locality  and  position, — Chalk  Hill,  near  Coalville,  Utah,  where  it  occurs 
in  a  whitish  sandstone  of  the  coal-bearing  Cretaceous  series  of  that  region. 
I  also  collected  specimens  of  it  between  Coalville  and  Weber  Cafion,  at 
apparently  higher  horizons  than  the  Chalk  Hill  beds. 

MAOTEIDJ]. 

Genus  MACTRA,  Linnaeus. 
Maotra?  .Emmonsi,  Meek. 

Plate  15,  fig.  8. 

Shell  small,  oval-subtrigonal,  rather  compressed,  longer  than  high, 
nearly  or  quite  equilateral,  or  with  anterior  side  slightly  longer  than  the 
other;  basal  margin  forming  a  semi-elliptic  curve;  anterior  margin  narrowly 
rounded  below  the  middle;  posterior  margin  somewhat  broader,  most  promi- 
nent and  abruptly  rounded  or  obtusely  subangular  below,  and  very  faintly 
subtruncated  obliquely  above;  dorsal  margin  sloping  before  and  behind  the 
beaks,  the  anterior  slope  being  greater,  with  a  concave  outline;  beaks  nearly 
central,  or  sometimes  placed  a  little  behind  the  middle,  rather  depressed,  and 
incurved  with  very  slight  obliquity;  posterior  umbonal  slope  very  obscurely 


154  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

angular  from  the  beaks  to  the  posterior  basal  extremity.  Surface  only 
marked  by  fine  obscure  lines  of  growth.  (Hinge  and  other  internal  char- 
acters unknown.) 

Length,   0.45  inch;   height,  0.30  inch;    convexity,  0.17  inch.     Some^ 
specimens  of  apparently  the  same  species  are  nearly  double  the  size  of  that 
from  which  the  above  measurements  were  taken,  and  some  of  the  smaller 
ones  are  proportionally  a  little  shorter. 

As  I  am  unacquainted  with  the  hinge  and  other  internal  characters  of 
this  little  shell,  it  is  only  provisionally  referred  to  the  genus  Mactra,  In  addi- 
tion to  this,  until  conchologists  can  agree  in  regard  to  which  one  of  the  several 
generic  types  included  by  Linnaeus  in  that  genus  is  to  be  regarded  as  the 
typical  form,  it  is  impossible  to  know  what  we  ought  to  call  a  shell  of  this 
type,  even  where  the  specimens  are  in  a  condition  to  show  clearly  all  the 
generic  characters. 

It  is  a  smaller  and  more  depressed  shell  than  any  of  the  known  Upper 
Missouri  Cretaceous  Mactras,  and  more  closely  resembles  a  species  described 
by  Dr.  Hayden  and  myself,  from  the  southwestern  base  of  the  Black  Hills, 
under  the  name  Tancredia  Warrenana,  from  beds  believed,  from  their  strati- 
graphical  position,  to  belong  to  the  Jurassic  series.  The  typical  specimens 
of  the  T,  Warrenana  are  merely  casts,  showing  none  of  the  internal  char- 
acters, but  have  almost  exactly  the  form  and  general  appearance  of  the 
genus  Tancredia;  though  they  may  belong  to  some  other  genus.  On  critical 
comparison  with  the  species  under  consideration,  the  latter  is  found  to  difier 
in  having  its  beaks  slightly  more  obtuse,  its  posterior  umbonal  slopes  less 
angular,  and  its  posterior  margin  more  rounded  in  outline. 

The  specific  name  is  given  in  honor  of  S.  F.  Emmons,  Esq.,  of  the  United 
States  Geological  Survey  of  the  Fortieth  Parallel. 

Locality  and  position. — East  Canon  Creek,  Wasatch  Range,  Utah,  in  an 
ash-colored  sandstone,  believed  to  belong  to  the  upper  bed  of  the  Cretaceous 
of  that  region. 

Mactea  (Trigonella)  !  AEENARiA,  Meek. 

Plate  14,  fig.  5. 

Shell  attaining  a  medium  size,  trigonal-subovate,  rather  compressed ; 
posterior  margin  rounded,  or  sometimes  faintly  subtruncated ;  anterior  more 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  155 

narrowly  rounded,  most  prominent  a  little  below  the  middle;  base  forming 
a  nearly  semi-elliptic  curve,  being  most  prominent  along  the  central  region, 
and  rounding  rather  more  abruptly  into  the  posterior  margin ;  dorsal  mar- 
gin sloping  from  the  beaks  toward  the  extremities ;  beaks  moderately  promi- 
nent, but  very  slightly  oblique,  and  very  nearly  central,  or  placed  slightly 
behind  the  middle ;  posterior  umbonal  slopes  with  each  a  shallow  but  dis- 
tinct sulcus  extending  obliquely  from  the  beak  toward  the  posterior  basal 
margin.  Surface  ornamented  by  very  regular,  distinctly-defined,  concentric 
lines  and  furrows.     (Hinge  and  interior  unknown.) 

Length,  1.48  inches;  height,  1.10  inches;  convexity,  about  0.60  inch. 

As  the  specimens  of  this  shell  yet  obtained  show  neither  its  hinge  nor 
internal  characters,  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  from  them  whether  it  is  a 
true  Mactra  {Trigonella)^  or  a  Spisula,  or  whether  it  belongs  to  some  of  the  other 
allied  groups.  It  has  the  form  and  general  external  appearance  of  Mactra 
(Trigonella),  but  differs  from  all  of  the  otherwise  similar  described  species 
of  that  genus  known  to  me,  in  the  distinctness  and  regularity  of  its  concen- 
tric lines  and  furrows,  as  well  as  in  the  possession  of  the  oblique  posterior 
umbonal  sulcus.  In  the  later  character,  it  seems  to  agree  very  nearly 
with  Mactra?  tenuistria,  Gabb  (California  Palaeontology,  vol.  II,  plate  29, 
fig.  68).  It  differs,  however,  in  being  proportionally  longer  and  more 
abruptly  or  narowly  rounded  in  front,  much  more  coarsely  striated,  and 
in  having  the  posterior  umbonal  sulcus  of  each  valve  directed  so  as  to  reach 
the  posterior  margin  farther  up.  This  sulcus  seems  not  to  impart  any  dis- 
tinct sinuosity  to  the  posterior  margin,  but  perhaps  gives  it  a  very  slightly 
truncated  appearance  in  some  specimens. 

Compared  with  the  last,  this  species  will  be  seen  to  differ,  not  only  in 
its  larger,  more  gibbous,  and  less  depressed  form,  but  in  the  possession  of 
proportionally  stronger  concentric  ridges  and  furrows. 

Locality  and  position, — Whitish  Cretaceous  sandstone,  including  coal, 
on  Red  Creek,  Uinta  Mountains;  and  in  the  same  rock  on  Chalk  Creek, 
Utah. 

Mactra  (Cymbophora)  ?  Utahensis,  Meek. 

Plate  15,  figs.  9,  9  a,  and  9  6. 

Shell  subovate,  moderately  convex;  anterior  margin  rounded;  posterior 


156  TALJiiONTOLOGY. 

margin  narrower,  and  rather  abruptly  rounded,  or  sometimes  apparently 
slightly  truncated,  being  most  prominent  below ;  basal  margin  forming  a  semi- 
elliptic  or  semi-ovate  curve,  being  sometimes  more  prominent  anteriorly ;  dor- 
sal outline  sloping  from  the  beaks  toward  the  extremities;  beaks  moderately  ^ 
prominent,  very  nearly  central,  and  incurved  with  little  obliquity;  umbonal 
slopes  merely  roundod,  and  not  terminating  in  a  flexure  of  the  posterior  basal 
margin.  Surface  apparently  merely  marked  with  fine,  obscure,  irregular 
lines  of  growth.  Hinge  merely  known  to  possess  linear  anterior  and  posterior 
lateral  teeth.     Ligament  and  internal  characters  unknown. 

Length,  1.35  inches;  height,  0.90  inch;  convexity,  about  0.50  inch. 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  in  the  collection  agree  so  nearly  with  a  form 
described  by  the  writer  in  connection  with  Dr.  Hayden,  from  the  Upper 
Cretaceous  beds  on  Deer  Creek  near  the  North  Platte,  under  the  name  Tel- 
Una  nitidula,  that  I  was  at  one  time  inclined  to  think  they  might  belong  to  a 
variety  of  that  species.  Still,  as  they  are  merely  internal  casts,  giving  but  a 
limited  knowledge  of  the  hinge,  and  showing  nothing  of  the  internal  char- 
acters, it  is  much  more  probable  that  they  are  really  very  distinct.  So  far 
as  regards  their  form  and  general  appearance,  they  seem  only  to  differ  in 
having  the  anterior  side  rather  more  produced  and  sometimes  wider. 

From  this  general  resemblance,  however,  I  have,  in  the  absence  of  any 
knowledge  of  the  nature  of  its  cardinal  teeth  or  pallial  line,  ventured  to 
refer  it  provisionally  to  the  same  section  of  the  Mactra  group  to  which 
Tellina  nitidula  is  now  believed  to  belong ;  that  is,  to  Cymbophora^  Gabb. 
I  should  have  been  inclined  to  refer  it  to  Macoma  or  Gastrana,  were  it  not 
for  the  impressions  of  lateral  teeth  seen  before  and  behind  the  beaks  in  the 
casts. 

Locality  and  position, — Whitish  Cretaceous  sandstone.  East  Canon  Creek, 
Wasatch  Range,  and  near  Coalville,  Utah. 

TELLINID^. 

Genus  TELLINA,  Linnaeus. 
Tellina !?isoNEMA,  Meek. 

Plate  15,  fig.  6. 

Shell  transverse,  elliptic-subtrigonal  in  outline,  compressed,  and  nearly 


CHETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  157 

or  quite  equilateral;  anterior  margin  narrowly  rounded;  base  forming  a 
semi-elliptic  curve;  posterior  end  narrowly  rounded  or  subangular  at  the 
termination  of  a  slight,  oblique  flexure  of  the  valves;  dorsal  margin  sloping 
from  the  beaks  to  the  extremities,  with  a  moderately  convex  outline;  beaks 
almost  central,  rather  small,  and  projecting  little  above  the  cardinal  margin, 
incurved  with  scarcely  any  visible  obliquity;  hinge  and  interior  unknown, 
Surface  ornamented  by  fine,  perfectly  regular,  concentric,  thread-like  lines, 
gradually  becoming  smaller  and  more  crowded  toward  the  umbones,  on 
which  they  are  nearly  or  quite  obsolete. 

Length,  0.90  inch;  height,  0.60  inch;  convexity,  about  0.20  inch. 

The  fact  that  this  is  one  of  the  characteristic  shells  of  the  formation  in 
which  it  occurs  seems  to  render  it  desirable  that  some  notice  should  be 
taken  of  it,  although  we  have  not  the  means  of  arriving  at  satisfactory  con- 
clusions in  regard  to  its  affinities.  At  the  same  time  that  I  place  it  pro- 
visionally in  the  above  genus,  I  really  have  very  little  faith  in  its  belonging 
properly  to  that  group.  It  seems  to  be  a  very  thin  shell,  as  the  spec- 
imens (which  in  some  instances  appear  to  be  internal  casts)  show  the 
exceedingly  regular  thread-like  concentric  lines  quite  distinctly.  In  some 
of  these  casts  there  are  appearances  of  the  impression  of  a  thin  lamina,  or 
very  slender  ridge,  nearly  parallel  to  the  hinge-margin  both  behind  and  in 
front  of  the  beaks.  These  may  have  been  left  by  elongated  lateral  teeth ; 
though  thej^  appear  not  to  be  exactly  marginal,  but  a  little  removed  from  it, 
as  if  they  had  been  made  by  a  thin  projecting  lamina,  somewhat  similar 
to  the  cartilage-support  in  the  genus  JEdmondia,  1  do  not  think  the  shell  at 
all  related  to  that  group,  however. 

After  numerous  comparisons,  I  have  been  unable  to  identify  this  shell 
with  any  described  species. 

Locality  and  position, — In  whitish  and  buff-colored  sandstone,  at  Chalk 
Creek,  above  Coalville,  Utah;  also  in  a  similar  matrix  from  East  Canon 
Creek,  Wasatch  Range;  Cretaceous. 

Tellina  modesta,  Meek. 

s 

Plate  15,  figs.  4  and  5.  ^ 

Shell  rather  small,  transversely  elongate-subelliptic,  being  twice  as  long 
as  high,  rather  distinctly  compressed;  anterior  margin  narrowly  rounded; 


1 58  PAL^.OKTOLOG  Y. 

base  forming  a  long,  semi-elliptic  curve;  posterior  extremity  more  narroTvly 
and  less  regularly  rounded  than  the  other,  apparently  slightly  bent  to  the 
left;  dorsal  margin  declining  very  slightly,  with  convex  slopes,  both  in  front 
and  behind  the  beaks;  beaks  very  nearly  central  and  inconspicuous,  being 
depressed  and  compressed.  Surface  of  casts  smooth,  but  probably  on  well- 
preserved  shells  marked  with  fine  concentric  striae.  Hinge  and  interior 
unknown,  with  the  exception  of  some  appearances  of  lateral  teeth  seen  in 
casts. 

Length,  0.86  ibch;  height,  0,44  inch;  convexity,  0.10  inch. 

This  little  shell  has  the  general  form  of  Tellina,  or  Abra,  but  without 
seeing  the  hinge  and  interior  it  is  impossible  to  determine  whether  it  may 
not  belong  to  some  allied,  but  distinct,  group.  It  is  a  more  depressed  shell 
than  T.  scitula,  M.  &  H.,  or  any  of  the  other  species  from  the  Cretaceous 
rocks  of  the  Upper  Missouri,  and  I  have  been  unable  to  identify  it  with  any 
of  the  known  American  or  foreign  species.  Perhaps  the  most  nearly  allied 
American  fossil  species  yet  known  is  Mr.  Gabb's  T,  Ashburnerii  (from 
division  A  of  the  California  Cretaceous  series),  which,  however,  is  a  pro- 
portionally higher  (wider)  shell,  with  much  less  depressed  and  more  angular 
beaks. 

Locality  and  position, — Whitish  sandstone  of  East  Canon  Creek,  Wasatch 
Range,  upper  part  of  series;  Cretaceous. 

VENERIDJ]. 

Genus  CYPRIMERIA,  Conrad. 

Cyprimebia?  subalata,  Meek. 

Plate  15,  fig.  7. 

Cyprhnei*ia  subalata^  Meek  (1873),  Hayden's  Sixth  Eeport  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey  of  the 
Territories,  476. 

Shell  transversely  broad-subovate  or  subelliptic,  strongly  compressed; 
extremities  rather  narrowly,  and  nearly  equally  rounded;  basal  margin 
forming  a  regular  semi-elliptic  curve,  being  most  prominent  along  the  mid- 
dle, and  rounding  up  gradually  and  equally  intx)  the  anterior  and  posterior 
lateral  margins;  dorsal  margin  sloping  from  the  beaks,  the  posterior  slope 
being  more  convex  in  outline  than  the  anterior;  beaks  small,  scarcely  pro- 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  I59 

jecting  above  tliQ  hinge-margin,  very  nearly  or  exactly  central,  and  almost 
entirely  without  obliquity.  Surface  apparently  smooth,  or  only  showing 
very  fine,  obscure,  concentric  striae.     (Hinge  and  interior  unknown.) 

Length,  1.22  inches;  height,  0.90  inch^  convexity  of  left  valve,  only 
about  0.12  inch. 

Although  I  have  seen  only  casts  of  this  species,  giving  no  satisfactory 
knowledge  of  its  hinge  and  internal  characters,  from  its  very  close  similarity  to 
Cyprimeria  depressa  of  Conrad,  described  from  the  North  Carohna  and  Missis- 
sippi Cretaceous  rocks,  I  can  scarcely  doubt  its  generic  identity  with  that 
shell.  It  is  quite  unlike  Mr.  Conrad's  type-species  of  Cyprimeria  (C.  excavata)^ 
so  much  so,  indeed,  that  I  should  not  have  suspected  it  to  belong  to  the 
same  genus.  Its  very  close  specific  relations,  however,  as  stated  above,  to 
(7.  depressa^  which  has  the  characteristic  hinge  of  Cyprimeria^  leaves  little 
reason  for  doubts  on  this  point.  On  comparison  with  good  specimens  of 
C,  depressa,  sent  to  me  by  Mr.  Conrad,  I  find  our  shell  only  differs  (in 
external  characters  at  least)  in  having  its  beaks  a  little  less  flattened  and 
placed  slightly  farther  forward,  while  its  posterior  dorsal  outline  is  some- 
what less  straightened,  and  its  anterior  outline  a  little  less  narrowly  rounded. 
These,  however,  are  not  greater  differences  than  we  often  see  between  dif- 
ferent individuals  of  the  same  species  among  such  shells. 

Locality  and  position. — Whitish  Cretaceous  sandstone,  at  East  Canon, 
Wasatch  Range,  Utah. 

GASTEROPODA. 

NATICIDJE. 

Genus  GYEODES,  Conrad. 
Gykodes  depressa,  Meek. 

Plato  15,  figs.  1,  1  a. 

Shell  depressed  so  as  to  be  about  twice  as  wide  as  high;  volutions  three 
to  three  and  a  half,  increasing  rapidly  in  size ;  last  one  widest  below  the 
middle,  narrowly  rounded,  but  not  angular  on  the  under  side,  at  least  in 
casts;  spire  much  depressed;  suture  channeled  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be 
flattened  within,  owing  to  the  presence  of  a  revolving  furrow  just  above  it; 
umbilicus  wide  and  depressed-conical  in  form,  without  showing  any  revolv- 


160  PALiEONTOLOGY. 

ing  ridges  within;  aperture  obliquely  suboval,  witli  its  longer  axis  ranging 
downward  and  outward.     (Surface  unknown.) 

Height,  0.55  inch;  breadth,  1.05  inches. 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  in  the  collection  are  merely  casts  in  a  very 
fine  arenaceous  material.  It  certainly  differs,  however,  in  its  much  depressed 
form,  from  any  otherwise  similar  described  species  "with  which  I  am 
acquainted.  Its  umbilicus  is  quite  wide,  but  diminishes  rapidly  in  breadth 
within,  in  consequence  of  the  depressed  form  of  the  shell.  The  under  side 
of  the  body- volution  is  prominently  and  naiTowly  rounded  around  the  um- 
bihcus,  but  not  properly  angular;  at  any  rate  not  so  in  casts.  Owing  to 
the  form  of  the  body- volution,  the  aperture  has  an  oblique  outward  slope. 
The  whorls  seem  not  to  be  truncated  around  the  upper  edge,  as  is  often  the 
case  in  this  genus;  but  a  revolving  furrow,  just  above  the  suture,  gives  the 
latter  a  duplicated  or  banded  appearance,  the  band  forming  a  flattened  bot- 
tom to  the  channeled  suture.  Only  faint  traces  of  very  oblique  lines  of 
growth  are  seen  on  the  cast. 

Locality  and  position. — Chalk  Creek,  at  the  mouth  of  the  cafion,  above 
Coalville,  in  the  whitish  Cretaceous  sandstone  series,  Utah. 

APOREHAID^. 
Genus  ANCHURA,  Conrad. 

ANCHUEAI  FUSIFORMIS,   Met'k. 
Plate  15,  figs.  2,  2  a. 

Shell  subfusiform;  spire  conical,  rather  short;  volutions  about  five, 
moderately  convex,  those  of  the  spire  smooth  and  separated  by  a  com- 
paratively distinct  suture;  last  one  subovate,  obscurely  angular  around  the 
middle  in  young  examples,  but  with  angle  entirely  obsolete  in  the  adult, 
gradually  tapering  below  into  a  long,  straight,  rather  stout  canal,  which  has 
some  appearance  of  being  obliquely  truncated  at  the  extremity;  outer  lip, 
with  extension  apparently  short,  simple,  and  slightly  recurved;  surface  with 
only  obscure  lines  of  gi'owth,  excepting  near  the  lip  on  the  body- volution 
in  adult  shells,  where  there  are  usually  a  few  small,  slightly  oblique,  longi- 
tudinal costae,  that  become  obsolete  before  reaching  the  suture  above  and  a 
little  below  the  niiddle  of  the  volution.     (Aperture  and  columella  unknown.) 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  161 

Length  of  the  largest  specimen  seen,  including  canal,  about  1.28 
inches;  breadth  of  body- volution,  including  the  lip  as  far  as  preserved, 
about  0.70  inch. 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  are  unfortunately  not  in  a  condition  to  show 
the  entire  lip,  though  they  leave  no  room  for  doubting  that  it  is  more  or  less 
extended.  The  fact  that  the  commencement  of  a  single  mesial  angle  can 
also  be  seen  on  the  outside  of  the  dilated  part  indicates  that  the  lip  proba- 
bly has  but  one  spur;  and,  from  a  slight  upward  curve  of  this  angle,  it  is 
probable  the  extended  part  is  more  or  less  recurved.  None  of  the  specimens 
show  the  inner  lip  or  the  exact  form  of  the  aperture. 

Owing  to  the  stoutness  and  straightness  of  the  canal,  and  the  presence 
of  flexuous  costae  on  the  outer  side  of  the  body-volution  in  this  species,  it 
presents  some  general  resemblance  to  Pugnellus  manubriatuSj  Gabb,  from  the 
Cretaceous  rocks  of  California.  Unfortunately,  no  specimens  have  been 
found  in  a  condition  to  show  whether  or  not  it  has  the  outer  margin  of  its 
lip  thickened  as  in  that  genus;  but  it  seems  not  to  present  that  character. 
It  at  least  differs  specifically  from  G.  manubrialm  in  having  its  canal  more 
slender  and  elongated,  and  its  spire  more  elevated.* 

Locality  and  position. — The  type-specimens  were  found  at  the  water-tank 
two  miles  from  Coalville,  Utah,  and  on  Chalk  Creek  above  Coalville,  in  a 
whitish  Cretaceous  sandstone.  I  also  found  several  specimens  of  it  at  Coal- 
ville, in  bed  No.  11,  of  section  given  on  page  439  of  Dr.  Hay  den's  Sixth 
Annual  Report  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey  of  the  Territories, 
1873. 

*  Since  the  foregoing  description  and  remarks  were  written  (in  1870)  Dr.  White  has 
figured  and  described,  in  his  report  on  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  collections  (page  190,  pi. 
xvii,  fig.  4),  a  shell  from  New  Mexico  supposed  to  belong  to  this  species.  Although 
when  he  showed  me  his  specimens  with  others  when  I  was  lying  sick  at  Oakland,  Md., 
in  1874, 1  was  inclined  to  believe  it  not  distinct  from  this  species,  a  later  comparison 
has  led  me  to  regard  the  New  Mexican  shell  as  belonging  fo  another  species  with  a 
more  elevated  and  more  slender  spire.  Better  specimens  of  the  two  forms  would 
doubtless  show  other  differences. 
11  PR 


162  PALEONTOLOGY. 

SIPHONARIIDiB. 

menus  ANISOMYO^,  M.  &  H. 
Anisomyon  sexsulcatus,  M.  &  H.f 

Helcion  sexsulcatns^  Meek  and  Hayden  (1856),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  YIII,  G8. 
Anisomyon  aexsuleatus,  Meek  and  Hayden  (1860),  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  XXXYIII  (2d  ser.), 
35.— Meek  (1876),  Palaeont.  Upper  Missouri,  293,  pi.  18,  figs.  8  a,  h. 

FigM.  Fig.  5.  rjy^Q  Specimen  I  have  here  referred  doubtfully 

to  the  above  species  is  smaller  than  the  original 
type  of  the  same,  being  but  little  more  than  half 
the  linear  dimensions  of  that  species.  It  also  has 
its  apex  proportionally  a  little  higher,  and  the  ante- 
Anisomymi  sexsuicaius,         j^qj.  gJope  slightly  convex  near  the  apex,  instead  of 

Fig.  4.  An  internal  cast  as  seen  t_»i       -i^     i  xt_       •    i  i 

from  above-(nat.  size).  coucave ;  whilo  it  shows  ou  the  internal  cast  an 
Fig.  5.  A  side-view  of  same.  obscurc  mcsial  Carina  dowu  the  posterior  slope, 
not  seen  on  the  cast  of  the  type  of  A.  sexsulcatus.  It  shows  the  six  radiating 
furrows,  however,  exactly  as  in  that  species,  and  agrees  so  very  nearly 
in  all  other  known  characters  that  I  have  concluded  to  refer  it  provisionally 
to  the  same. 

The  original  type-specimen  of  A.  sexsulcatus  is  an  imperfect  cast  of  the 
interior,  retaining  only  thin  films  of  the  inner  layer  of  the  shell.  That  now 
before  me  is  also  an  internal  cast,  but  retains  some  fragments  of  the  shell 
near  the  margin,  and  one  of  these  shows  that  there  is,  as  I  had  long  since 
conjectured,  a  narrow  furrow  on  the  outer  surface  of  the  shell  over  each  of 
those  seen  on  the  internal  cast.  These  fragments  of  the  shell,  although 
apparently  not  worn,  show  only  obscure  marks  of  growth. 

I  suspect  that  a  good  series  of  specimens  may  show  this  shell  to  be  a 
distinct  species  from  A.  sexsulcatus,  of  smaller  size.  If  so,  it  may  be  called 
A.  Wyomingensis. 

Locality  and  position. — Outer  sandstone  ridge  southeast  of  La  Porte, 
Colorado ;  Fox  Hills  Grroup  of  the  Upper  Missouri  Cretaceous  series. 


OEETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  1 63 

FOSSILS    OF    THE    BEAR    RIVER    FRESH-    OR    BRACKISH- 

WATER   BEDS. 

As  it  is  still  a  matter  of  some  doubt  whether  the  above-mentioned 
highly-inclined  strata  seen  on  Sulphur  Creek  near  Bear  River,  Wyoming, 
very  nearly  conformable  to  well-marked  marine  Cretaceous  beds  at  the 
same  locality,  belong  to  the  latest  member  of  the  Cretaceous  or  to  the  earliest 
Eocene  Tertiary,  I  prefer  to  describe  the  fossils  from  them  here  separately 
under  a  distinct  heading.  I  have  from  the  first  inclined  to  the  opinion  that 
these  brackish-water  beds  belong  to  the  horizon  of  the  oldest  Eocene,  though 
I  have  several  times  mentioned  certain  reasons  for  suspecting  that  they  may 
prove  rather  to  belong  to  the  closing  period  of  the  Cretaceous.  One  diffi- 
culty in  deciding  in  regard  to  their  precise  horizon  is,  that  all  of  the  fossils 
yet  known  from  them  are  new  and  entirely  distinct  from  those  found  else- 
where in  very  well-determined  horizons.  None  of  them  belong  to  any  of 
the  characteristic  Cretaceous  genera,  while  several  of  the  species  are  nearly 
allied  to  Lower  Eocene  forms  of  the  Old  World,  though  clearly  distinct 
specifically. 

The  fact,  however,  that  at  least  one  species  occurring  here  seems  to  be 
identical  with  a  form  ( Vivipara  Conradi)  found  in  a  similar  brackish-water 
group  of  strata,  associated  with  Cretaceous  types  of  Vertebrate  remains  at 
the  mouth  of  Judith  River  on  the  Upper  Missouri,  when  taken  in  connec- 
tion with  the  recent  discovery  of  a  Cretaceous  type  of  Saurian  remains  in 
Wyoming,  apparently  at  a  higher  horizon,  and  of  a  decidedly  brackish- 
water  group  of  MoUuscan  remains  beneath  a  considerable  thickness  of  Cre- 
taceous strata  at  Coalville,  Utah,  certainly  seems  to  indicate  that  these  beds 
belong  rather  below  than  above  the  line  of  division  between  the  latest  Cre- 
taceous and  the  oldest  Eocene.  Unfortunately,  however,  as  I  have  often 
remarked,  fresh-water  and  estuary  shells  do  not  generally  present  the  same 
well-defined  distinguishing  features,  if  I  may  so  speak,  in  each  of  the  vari- 
ous geological  horizons,  usually  observable  among  marine  types,  being 
often  very  similar  from  rocks  of  quite  different  ages,  and  again  quite  distinct 
in  equivalent  beds  at  different  localities. 


164  PALEONTOLOGY. 

MOLLUSOA. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

UNIONIDJ]. 

Genus  UNIO,  Retzius. 

Unio  vetustus,  Meek. 

Plate  16,  figs.  5,  5  a,  5  6,  and  5  c. 

Unto  vetu8tu8j  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VIII,  117  ;  and  (1876)  in 
Col.  Simpson's  Eeport  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  359,  pi.  v,  figs. 
12  a,  &.— White  (1875),  Eep.  on  Wheeler's  collections  206,  pi.  xxi,  figs.  12  a—d. 

Compare  IT.  prisctts,  Meek  and  Hayden  (1856),  Proceed.  Acad.  Sci.  Philad.,  117. — Meek 
(1876),  Pal.  Upp.  Mo.,  516,  pi.  43,  figs.  8  a,  6,  c. 

Shell  of  about  medium  size,  transversely-subovate  or  subelliptic,  the 
widest  part  being  anteriorly,  though  young  examples  are  narrower,  with 
dorsal  and  ventral  margins  more  nearly  parallel,  rather  thin  and  moder- 
ately convex,  about  twice  as  long  as  high;  base  forming  a  long  semi-elliptic 
or  semi-ovate  curve  in  adult  shells,  but  usually  straighter  in  the  young; 
posterior  margin  rather  narrowly  rounded  below  in  large  specimens,  and 
obliquely  truncated  in  small  examples;  dorsal  margin  nearly  straight,  except- 
ing in  large  shells,  where  it  is  more  arched;  anterior  margin  short  and 
rounded;  beaks  depressed,  not  eroded,  placed  near  the  anterior,  very  neatly 
ornamented  with  small,  perfectly  regular,  concentric  ridges  and  furrows, 
that  generally  end  abruptly  behind  at  a  small,  oblique,  linear,  posterior 
umbonal  ridge  extending  backward  and  downward,  while  midway  between 
this  and  the  cardinal  margin  there  is  a  second  similar  ridge;  other  portions 
of  the  surface  merely  marked  with  lines  of  growth,  which  sometimes  assume 
a  subimbricating  appearance  near  the  free  margins.  Hinge  of  moderate 
length,  with  two  cardinal  teeth  in  the  left  valve,  the  posterior  one  being 
larger  than  the  other;  lateral  teeth  long  and  nearly  straight  (cardinal  teeth 
of  right  valve  unknown) ;  scars  of  anterior  muscles  deep  and  irregularly 
pitted. 

Length  of  a  large  specimen,  about  4  inches;  height,  2.23  inches;  con- 
vexity, about  1.10  inches. 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  1 65 

Young  specimens  of  this  species  seem  to  be  generally  proportionally  nar- 
rower, and  have  the  posterior  margin  more  distinctly  truncated,  while  thecostse 
or  concentric  ridges  of  the  beats  cover  proportionally  more  of  the  umbonal 
region.  In  large  examples,  these  markings  become  obsolete,  excepting  on 
the  immediate  umbones,  and  the  posterior  margin  is  more  round  or  less  dis- 
tinctly truncated,  while  the  valves  become  proportionally  less  depressed  in 
general  outhne.  I  have  long  suspected  that  this  shell  may  possibly  be 
identical  with  U,  prisms^  M.  &  H.,  as  the  specimens  seem  to  be  very  much 
alike.  Still,  as  we  only  know  the  latter  from  very  imperfect  specimens, 
while  the  Bear  River  beds  from  which  the  form  here  under  consideration 
was  obtained,  seem  to  be  very  local,  and,  so  far  as  yet  known,  to  contain  a 
peculiar  fauna,  ahnost  without  exception  unknown  in  the  Upper  Missouri 
country  where  the  type  of  U,  priscus  was  discovered,  it  is  perhaps  better 
to  keep  these  two  proposed  species  separate  until  we  can  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  compare  better  series  of  specimens  from  the  two  distantly  sepa- 
rated localities. 

Locality  and  position. — Fresh-water  beds  on  Bear  River,  near  the  mouth 
of  Sulphur  Creek,  Wyoming. 

Unio  BELLiPLicATUS,  Meek. 

Plate  16,  figs.  4,  4  a. 

Unio  beUiplicatus,  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Philosophical  Society  of  Philadelphia,  XL 
Unio  {Loxoplmrus)  belliplicattts^  Meek  (1873),  Hayden's  Second  Keport  Geol.  Survey 
of  the  Territories,  294. 

Shell  attaining  a  medium  size,  transversely  subovate,  the  widest  part 
being  a  little  in  advance  of  the  middle,  moderately  convex,  generally  less 
than  twice  as  long  as  high ;  anterior  margin  short,  rather  regularly  rounded; 
posterior  margin  obliquely- subtruncated,  with  a  more  or  less  convex  out- 
line, most  prominent  below,  where  it  is  obtusely  subangular  or  abruptly 
rounded  into  the  base;  dorsal  outline  nearly  straight,  or  more  or  less 
arched;  base  broad-semiovate,  being  most  prominent  in  advance  of  the 
middle,  in  large  specimens  generally  a  little  sinuous  posteriorly;  beaks 
much  depressed,  or  scarcely  rising  above  the  cardinal  margin,  oblique,  and 
placed  near  the  anterior  end,  not  eroded ;  hinge  moderately  long,  with  car- 


1 66  P  AL.EONTOLOGT. 

dinal  and  lateral  teeth,  yo  far  as  known,  mucli  as  in  the  last-described  species. 
Surface  ornamented  by  a  series  of  very  regular,  distinctly-defined,  and  gener- 
ally simple  plications,  which  commence  very  small,  and  closely  approxi- 
mated along  the  dorsal  margin  just  before  the  beaks,  and  after  slight  curves, 
radiate  and  descend  obliquely  toward  the  posterior  basal  margin,  increasing 
in  breadth  and  becoming  more  obtuse  as  they  descend  and  diverge,  and  at 
last  in  large  specimens  becoming  obsolete  before  reaching  the  margins; 
while  another  more  or  less  similar  series  of  plications  sometimes  originates 
along  the  cardinal  margins  behind  the  beaks,  and  descends  obliquely  back- 
ward and  downward,  so  as  to  connect  with  those  of  the  first-mentioned  series 
along  the  posterior  umbonal  slopes  at  very  acute  angles,  somewhat  like  we 
see  on  species  of  Goniomya.  Marks  of  growth  moderately  distinct,  becom- 
ing sometimes  stronger  or  subimbricating  near  the  margins. 

Length  of  a  large  specimen,  2.75  inches;  height,  1.50  inches;  convex- 
ity, about  0.85  inch. 

This  beautiful  species  may  be  distinguished  at  a  glance  from  the  last 
by  its  peculiar  plications,  the  principal  series  of  which,  although  originating, 
as  in  that  species,  just  before  the  beaks,  always  radiate  obliquely  backward 
and  downward  across  the  lines  of  growth,  instead  of  running  horizontally 
backward  parallel  to  those  lines.  The  fact  that  these  plications  do  not  con- 
verge to  the  beaks  will  serve  to  distinguish  this  shell  from  another  associated 
species,  of  which  there  are  fragments  in  the  collection,  with  a  series  of 
very  prominent  plications  converging  more  nearly  to  the  apex  of  each 
beak.     In  the  latter,  the  beaks  are  also  much  more  gibbous. 

In  its  style  of  ornamentation,  this  species  seems  to  approach  South 
American  types,  such  as  U,  hylea  and  TJ,  Gilhraniana^  more  nearly  than  any 
of  the  numerous  North  Ameri-can  forms.  Its  radiating  plications  remind 
one  of  the  genus  Castalia;  but  its  form  and  hinge  are  entirely  dififerent,  the 
latter  being  that  of  true  Unio. 

In  Dr.  Hayden's  Second  Annual  Report  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  the 
Territories,  page  294,  published  in  1872, 1  proposed  a  subgenus  io.wpfewrw, 
for  the  reception  of  this  species,  which  it  can  retain,  if  it  shall  be  considered 
desirable  to  separate  it  subgenerically  or  otherwise  from  the  typical  and 
other  established  sections  of  the  genus  Unio^  on  account  of  its  very  peculiar 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  167 

surface-markings  or  other  characters.     My  present  opinion,  however,  is,  that 
it  may  find  a  place  in  some  of  the  previously-proposed  sections  of  Unio. 

Locality  and  position.— The  typical  specimens  of  this  species  were 
brought  by  Dr.  Hayden  from  Limestone  Hill,  on  Bear  Eiver,  Utah.  Mr. 
King  also  found  it  on  the  same  river,  beneath  indications  of  lignite.  Speci- 
mens were  also  sent  by  Mr.  H.  R.  Durkee  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
from  the  same  horizon  at  Gilmer,  Wyoming. 

OYRENID^. 

Genus    CORBICULA,   Benson. 

CoRBicuLA  (Yeloritina)  DuRKEEt,  Meek. 

Plate  16,  figs.  6,  a,  ft,  c,  d,  e,  f,  g, 

Cyrena  {Corbieulaf)  Burlceei,  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XI,  431. 
Corhicula  {V^loritina)  DurJceei,  Meek  (1872),  Hayden's  Second  Ann.  Report  U.  S.  Geol. 

Survey  of  the  Territories,  294. 
Cyrena  ( Veloritina)  Durkeei,  White  (1876),  Eeport  on  Lieut.  Wheeler's  collections,  207, 

pi.  xxi,  fig.  13. 

Shell  attaining  a  large  size,  thick,  trigonoid-subcordate,  gibbous,  oblique, 
with  length  exceeding  somewhat  the  height,  most  convex  a  little  in  advance 
of  and  above  the  middle,  andcuneate  postero-ventrally;  posterior  dorsal 
slope  long,  straight,  or  slightly  convex  in  outline  from  the  umbones  to  the 
angular  or  subangular  posterior  basal  extremity;  basal  margin  semi-ovate  in 
outline,  being  most  prominent  anteriorly;  anterior  margin  short,  descending 
very  abruptly  from  the  beaks,  with  a  slightly  concave  outline  above,  and 
rounding  regularly  into  the  base  below;  beaks  elevated,  gibbous,  obliquely 
incurved,  contiguous,  and  placed  about  half-way  between  the  middle  and 
the  anterior  end,  or  sometimes  nearly  over  the  latter;  .posterior  umbonal 
slopes  prominently  rounded,  with  posterior  dorsal  margins  inflected  or 
incurved  so  as  to  form  a  profound,  broad  concavity,  or  sulcus,  along  their 
entire  length,  as  the  two  valves  are  seen  united;  lunule  in  most  cases  deep, 
but  generally  without  well-defined  margins;  ligament  short,  narrow,  and  so 
deeply  seated  in  the  broad  dorsal  concavity  as  not  to  be  visible  in  a  side- 
view  when  the  valves  are  united;  surface  only  showing  moderately  distinct 
lines  of  growth;  hinge  strong;  cardinal  teeth  oblique,  excepting  the  anterior 


1 68  PALEONTOLOGY. 

one,  which  ranges  nearly  vertically;  lateral  teeth  elong'ated,  and  only  very 
minutely  striated,  or  very  nearly  smooth,  the  posterior  one  of  the  left  valve 
being  sometimes  mainly  formed  by  the  beveling  of  the  inflected  edge  of  the 
valve,  instead  of  standing  out  at  right  angles  from  an  erect  margin;  pallial 
line  with  a  short,  very  shallow  sinus,  immediately  under  the  ovate,  shallow, 
and  oblique  scar  of  the  posterior  adductor  muscle  (see  fig.  Q  g)]  anterior 
muscular  impression  deeper,  slightly  smaller  than  the  other,  and  ranging 
nearly  vertically. 

Length  of  a  large  specimen,  1.78  inches;  height,  1,56  inches;  convex- 
ity, 1.12  inches. 

As  may  be  seen  by  our  figures,  this  shell  varies  greatly  in  fonn,  some 
specimens  being  more  depressed,  with  the  posterior  basal  extremity  more 
produced  than  in  others  (see  fig.  6  b);  while  others  have  the  umbones  more 
Novated,  and  the  whole  shell  proportionally  shorter,  as  seen  in  our  fig. 
6  c.  Still  other  specimens,  that  seem  to  be  younger  examples  of  this  species, 
are  proportionally  both  more  compressed  and  more  depressed,  with  a  more 
nearly  ovate  outline,  as  represented  by  fig.  6  /  It  is  possible  that  the 
latter  may  belong  to  a  distinct  species;  but  my  present  impression  is  that  it 
can  hardly  be  separated  from  the  others,  as  there  seem  to  be  all  intermediate 
gradations  of  form  and  size. 

Some  varieties  of  this  species  look  almost  exactly  like  a  Lower  Lignite 
Paris  Basin  species,  described  by  Deshayes  under  the  name  Cyrena  Forbesi 
(see  plate  xxxvii,  figs.  24  to  26,  Descr.  des  An.  sans  Vert.,  Bassin,  Paris,  1), 
particularly  as  seen  in  a  side-view  of  the  exterior.  Deshayes'  species, 
however,  is  a  thinner  shell,  with  a  weaker  hinge,  and  has  its  lateral  teeth 
more  strongly  striated,  and  the  posterior  dorsal  margins  of  the  valves  not 
near  so  strongly  inflected;  while  its  umbonal  slopes  are  less  prominently 
rounded,  and  it  wants  the  small  sinus  of  the  pallial  line  seen  in  our  spe- 
cies. In  its  greater  thickness,  more  trigonal  form,  and  prominent  umbonal 
slopes,  our  shell  agrees  more  nearly  with  another  species  described  by 
Ferussac  under  the  name  Cyrena  antiqua,  and  figured  by  Deshayes  (from 
the  Lignite  beds  of  the  Paris  Basin)  on  plate  xviii  of  his  **Coquilles  Fos- 
siles  des  Environs  de  Paris".  The  latter  species,  however,  is  proportion- 
ally shorter,  with  still  more  elevated  beaks,  a  broader  hinge-plate,  less 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  169 

diverging  cardinal  teeth,  and  more  strongly  striated  laterals.  Its  surface  is 
also  rougher,  being  more  strongly  furrowed  and  ridged  than  that  of  our  shell, 
and  its  lunule  is  much  larger. 

Deshayes  has  noticed,  in  his  later  work  on  the  Paris  Basin  fossils,  the 
points  of  resemblance  between  the  latter  of  the  above-mentioned  species 
and  the  existing  genus  Velorita,  and  yet  points  out  some  differences  that 
indicate  a  transition  from  the  typical  forms  of  Corbicula  toward  Velorita, 
through  such  species  as  (7.  antiqua.  The  species  here  under  consideration 
seems  to  me  also  to  occupy  a  somewhat  intermediate  position  between  the 
two  genera  mentioned,  having  more  nearly  the  trigonal  form,  oblique  car- 
dinal teeth,  and  thick  solid  shell  of  Velorita,  while  its  anterior  lateral  teeth 
are  as  elongated  and  slender  as  in  Corbicula.  It,  however,  differs  from  both, 
in  the  peculiar  incurved  character  of  the  posterior  dorsal  edges  of  its  valves, 
so  as  to  form  a  very  deep  concavity  or  furrow  along  their  entire  length,  as  seen 
when  the  valves  are  united.  This  inflection  of  the  borders  and  the  depressed 
nature  of  the  ligament,  bring  the  latter  so  far  below  the  elevated  umbonal 
slopes  that  it  is  entirely  hidden  from  view  in  looking  at  the  shell  from  either 
side,  instead  of  projecting  above  the  umbonal  slopes,  as  in  the  two  types 
above  mentioned.  Again,  the  posterior  lateral  tooth  of  its  left  valve  is  some- 
times mainly  formed  by  beveling  of  the  inflected  edge  of  the  valve,  instead 
of  projecting  out  at  right  angles  to  an  erect  margin.  In  consequence  of 
these  peculiarities  of  our  shell,  I  have  already  proposed  to  make  it  the  type 
of  a  new  section,  under  the  name  Veloritina,  in  Dr.  Hayden^s  Report  of 
1872.  Whether  or  not  this  section  can  properly  include  Cyrena  antiqua,  I 
am  not  well  enough  acquainted  with  that  shell  to  decide;  but,  although  it 
seems  to  depart  from  our  type  in  some  of  its  distinguishing  characters,  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  that  it  may  find  a  place  in  the  same  group. 

Locality  and  position. — The  first  specimens  of  this  species  that  I  have  seen, 
were  brought  from  the  brackish-  or  fresh- water  beds  on  Sulphur  Creek,  near 
Bear  River,  Wyoming.  Soon  after,  Mr  King's  party  brought  in  additional 
specimens  from  the  same  locality  and  beds;  and,  at  a  later  date,  Mr.  Durkee, 
an  engineer  on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  sent  numerous  specimens  of  it 
and  the  associated  fossils  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  for  the  use  of  which 


1 70  PALEONTOLOGY. 

specimens  I  am  indebted  to  Professor  Henry.  Dr.  White  has  also  identi- 
fied it  among  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  collections  from  the  north  fork  of  Virgin 
River,  Utah. 

CORBULID^. 

Genus  CORBULA,  Brug. 
CoBBULA  (Anisoehynchus)  pyriformis,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  2,  and  2  a,  &,  c,  d. 

Corbula  {Potamomya  f)  pyriformis^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  312. 

Corhula  {Potamomya  f)  concentrica,  Meek  (1860),  ib.,  313. 

Corbula  {AnisorJiynchus)  pyriformis^  Meek  (1871),  Extract  from  Dr.  Hayden's  Second 
Anu.  Report  Geol.  Survey  of  the  Territories ;  and  (1872)  in  the  last-mentioned 
Report,  292;  and  (1876)  in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great 
Basin  of  Utah,  359. 

Corhula  pyriformig^  Dall  (1872),  Am.  Jour.  Conch.,  VII,  90. 

Shell  attaining  a  large  size,  rather  thick,  oval-subpyriform,  nearly 
equivalve,  very  gibbous  in  the  central  and  anterior  regions,  and  much  more 
compressed,  narrowed,  and  produced  posteriorly;  beaks  elevated,  nearly 
equaj,  incurved,  and  placed  more  or  less  in  advance  of  the  middle;  ante- 
rior side  generally  truncated  obliquely  forward  above,  from  the  beaks  to 
near  the  middle,  thence  rounding  abruptly  to  the  base;  posterior  side  much 
attenuated,  and  usually  slightly  truncated  at  the  immediate  extremity; 
dorsal  margin  generally  very  concave  in  outline  behind  the  beaks,  and  pro- 
vided with  a  well-defined  marginal  carina,  extending  in  each  valve  from 
the  beaks  nearly  to  the  posterior  extremity,  and  between  these  carinse  with  a 
deeply-excavated  lanceolate  escutcheon;  basal'  margin  deeply  rounded  in 
the  central  and  anterior  region,  and  more  or  less  sinuous  in  outline  behind 
the  middle;  lunule  deeply  and  rather  largely  impressed,  without  being 
always  distinctly  defined,  though  it  is  sometimes  margined  by  a  subangular 
ridge  on  each  side.  Surface  ornamented  with  concentric  ridges  and  furrows, 
most  regularly  and  strongly  defined  on  the  umbonal  region,  and  gradually 
becoming  more  irregular  and  less  distinct  toward  the  basal  margin,  or  in 
some  cases  entirely  fading  away,  so  as  to  leave  only  the  lines  of  growth 
over  the  whole  exterior.  Hinge  with  the  tooth  of  the  right  valve  rather  thick, 
prominent,  subtrigonal,  striated,  and  a  little  curved  upward;  cartilage-pit 
deep  and  trigonal;  hinge  of  left  valve,  with  pit  and  cartilage-process,  pre- 
senting the  usual  characters;  pallial  line  with  apparently  a  small  shallow 


CKETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  171 

sinus;  posterior  muscular  impressions  very  faintly  marked;  anterior  muscu- 
lar impressions  generally  well  defined,  subovate,  attenuated,  and  curving 
backward  above  where  they  connect  with  the  small  scars  of  the  pedal 
muscles. 

Length  of  a  medium-sized  specimen,  1.33  inches;  height  of  the  same, 
0.87  inch;  convexity,  0.78  inch. 

This  species  varies  considerably  in  form,  as  well  as  in  surface-markings. 
In  some  specimens,  the  whole  surface  is  nearly  smooth  or  only  marked  with 
obscure  lines  of  growth  (fig.  2a) ;  while,  in  others,  the  most  gibbous  part  of  the 
valves  and  the  umbones  are  marked  with  very  regular,  distinct,  concentric 
ridges  and  furrows  (fig.  2).  In  still  others,  the  ridges  and  furrows  are  exceed- 
ingly irregular  and  very  strongly  marked  (fig.  2c).  There  are  also  more  or 
less  marked  differences  in  the  elevation  of  the  beaks,  the  convexity  of  the 
anterior  region,  and  the  proportional  length  of  the  attenuated  posterior 
extremity.  Yet  all  of  these  varieties  blend  together  by  such  slight  shades  of 
difference  that  it  seems  impossible  to  find  constant  characters  by  which  they 
can  be  separated  specifically. 

In  first  describing  this  species,  from  the  few  imperfect  specimens  orig- 
inally brought  from  the  Far- West,  I  was  led  to  believe  that  there  were  two 
distinct  species  represented  among  them;  one  nearly  smooth,  which  I  called 
Corhula  pyriformis,  and  another  with  regular,  concentric  ridges,  for  which  I 
proposed  the  name  C.  concentrica.  The  extensive  series  of  specimens,  how- 
ever, brought  in  by  various  explorers  from  the  same  locality,  soon  led  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  two  types  really  belong  to  one  variable  species. 

None  of  the  specimens  originally  studied  were  in  a  condition  to  give 
any  clew  to  the  nature  of  the  hinge;  but,  from  the  fact  that  they  were  found 
associated  with  some  fresh- water  shells,  it  seemed  quite  probable  that  they 
belonged  to  the  brackish- water  group  Potamomya^  or  more  properly  Amra^ 
and  for  that  reason  I  placed  the  name  Potamomya,  with  a  mark  of  doubt, 
parenthetically  between  the  generic  and  specific  names.  Some  years  later, 
however,  when  large  numbers  of  fine  specimens  of  this  shell  were  at  hand 
for  study,  I  succeeded  in  working  out  the  hinge,  and  found  that  it  does  not 


172  PALEONTOLOGY. 

present  the  characters  of  Amra  at  all,  but  seems  to  agree  almost  exactly 
with  that  of  Corhula  proper.  From  this  fact,  and  its  apparent  fresh- 
or  brackish- water  habits,  I  at  first  thought  it  might  possibly  find  a  place  in 
a  newly  proposed  South  American  group  for  which  Mr.  Gabb  used  the 
name  Pachydon  (but  afterward  named  Anisothyris  by  Mr.  Conrad,  because 
Pachydon  had  been  previously  used  by  Sowerby  for  another  genus ),  some 
species  of  which  closely  resemble  the  shell  under  consideration;  while  the 
South  Amencan  type  differs  little  from  Corbula  in  its  hinge-characters.* 
Soon  after,  on  informing  my  friend  Mr.  Conrad  that  I  had  found  our  shell 
to  differ  in  its  hinge  from  Amra^  and  to  agree  almost  exactly  with  Corbulaj  he 
wrote  to  me  that  he  had  been  studying  specimens  of  the  same,  sent  to 
the  Academy  of  Sciences  from  the  original  locality,  and  that  he  had  pro- 
posed, in  manuscript,  to  make  it  the  type  of  a  new  genus  Anisorhynchus, 
founded  mainly  on  its  brackish-  or  fresh- water  habits,  -^^e^ra-like  form,  and 
supposed  gaping  posterior;  and  I  adopted  his  name  in  a  subgeneric  sense, 
in  an  extract  from  Dr.  Hayden's  Second  Annual  Report,  then  just  ready  to 
go  to  press,  as  well  as  in  the  report  itself,  printed  a  month  or  two  later. 

After  examining  hundreds  of  specimens  of  this  shell,  however,  I  have 
failed  to  detect  any  evidence  that  its  valves  were  in  the  least  gaping;  and, 
as  regards  its  Netjera-like  form,  there  is  an  objection  to  giving  very  much 
weight  to  it  as  a  distinguishing  character,  that  is  the  fact  that  Corbula  alee- 
formis  Gabb,  from  marine  beds,  has  exactly  the  same  general  form ;  so  that, 
so  far  as  yet  known,  the  group  Anisorhynchus  seems  to  rest  entirely  upon 
the  apparent  brackish- water  habits  of  our  shell.  There  are  not  known  at 
present  any  well-determined  fresh- water  living  species  of  Corbula;  but  Dr. 
Stoliczka  says  (Palaeont.  Indica,  III,  p.  35)  that  there  certainly  are  Indian 
brackish-water  species  which  cannot  be  distinguished  from  true  Corbula, 
excepting  that  they  are  thinner  and  Necera-like  in  form. 

From  all  that  is  therefore  yet  known  in  regard  to  the  characters  of  this 

♦Originally,  J.wi«ot/iym,  Conrad,  or  Pachydon,  Gsbbb,  was  supposed  by  both  of 
those  authors  to  have  an  external  ligament;  but,  on  exanjining  a  series  of  the  type- 
species,  1  found  that  it  really  has  an  internal  cartilage  like  Corbtda,  with  only  a  more 
oblique  cartilage-process.  Hence  Mr.  Conrad  now  rests  the  group  mainly  on  its  brack- 
ish-water habits,  the  subspiral  character  of  the  beaks,  and  the  presence,  in  some  of  tite 
spedes,  of  an  obscure  rudimentary  posterior  lateral  tooth. 


GUETACBOUS  FOSSILS.  173 

shell,  T  am  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  most  probably  not  more  than  subgener- 
ically  distinct  from  Corhula  proper.  As  I  have  elsewhere  stated,  we  have 
(at  present)  reason  to  believe  that  in  this  internal  region  of  the  continent, 
the  changes  from  marine  conditions,  first  to  comparatively  large  areas  of 
brackish-water,  then  to  more  restricted  bodies  of  fresh-water,  were  so 
gradual,  as  the  continent  was  slowly  rising  at  about  the  close  of  the  Creta- 
ceous, and  the  beginning  of  the  Tertiary  periods,  that  probably  a  few  types 
of  MoUusca,  originally  exclusively  marine  in  their  habits,  may  have  grad- 
ually adapted  themselves  to  a  brackish-water  habitat. 

The  most  characteristic  specific  features  of  this  shell  are  its  large  size, 
very  nearly  equal  valves,  gibbous  anterior,  attenuated  or  subrostrate  poste- 
rior extremity,  and  incurved,  equal,  and  rather  oblique  beaks.  In  most 
specimens,  the  valves  seem  to  be  almost  exactly  equal,  though  usually  a 
close  examination  reveals  the  fact  that  the  right  valve  is  a  little  larger  than 
the  other ;  although  the  immediate  apex  of  its  beak  curves  in  under  that 
of  tliQ  left  valve,  and  seems  to  be  placed  very  slightly  farther  forward. 

I  have  been  inclined  to  think  that  the  species  described  from  the  Califor- 
nia Cretaceous  by  Mr.  Gabb,  in  vol.  ii  of  the  California  Palaeontology,  under 
the  name  Corhula  alceformiSj  may  be  somewhat  nearly  related  to  this  species. 
At  any  rate,  certain  varieties  of  our  shell  seem  to  agree  very  closely  with 
Mr.  Gabb's  figure  and  description  of  his  species.  Most  of  our  specimens 
are  more  coarsely  furrowed  and  ridged ;  but,  as  already  stated,  they  vary 
greatly  in  this  respect,  so  much  indeed,  that  it  is  difficult  to  know  how 
far  we  can  rely  on  this  character  in  distinguishing  Mr.  Gabb^s  species  from 
our  type,  especially  as  he  has  figured  only  a  single  specimen.  The  fact, 
however,  that  our  shell  is  apparently  only  found  associated  with  fresh-,  or 
perhaps  in  part,  brackish-water  types,  while  Mr.  Gabb's  came,  if  I  am  not 
mistaken,  from  a  marine  deposit,  would  favor  the  conclusion  that  there 
were  developed  sufficiently  marked  dififerences  to  constitute  specific,  if  not 
more  important,  distinctions. 

Locality  and  position, — The  original  type-specimens  of  this  species  were 
brought  by  Colonel  Simpson's  party  from  Sulphur  Creek,  near  Bear  River, 
Wyoming.  The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  there  cuts  directly  through  a  small 
ridge  composed  of  the  upturned  strata  of  the  estuary  beds  containing  this 


174  PALEONTOLOGY. 

and  various  fresh-  and  some  brackisli-water  shells,  which  occur  there  by 
millions.  Dr.  Hayden's  and  Mr.  King's  parties  have  brought  large  collec- 
tions of  these  shells  from  this  locality;  and  Mr.  Durkee,  an  intelligent 
civil  engineer,  sent  great  quantities  of  them  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 
I  have,  as  elsewhere  stated,  referred  these  beds  to  the  Lower  Eocene ;  but 
they  may  yet  prove  rather  to  belong  to  the  latest  Cretaceous,  as  suggested 
by  me  in  Dr.  Hayden's  Reports,  and  in  the  Upper  Missouri  Palaeontology. 

CoRBULA  (Anisoehynohus  ?)  ENaELMANNi,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  1  and  1  a. 

Corhula  {Anisorhynchus  f)  Engelmannij  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad., 
XII,  312. 

Shell  subovate,  moderately  gibbous,  nearly  equivalve;  anterior  margin 
rather  narrowly  rounded;  base  forming  a  semi-ovate  curve,  with  the  most 
prominent  part  in  advance  of  the  middle;  posterior  more  or  less  narrowed 
and  compressed,  with  the  immediate  extremity  slightly  truncated;  beaks 
rather  depressed,  nearly  or  quite  equal,  and  placed  a  little  in  advance  of  the 
middle;  dorsal  outline  sloping  gradually  before  and  behind  the  beaks 
toward  the  extremities,  with  a  shallow  marginal  furrow  extending  from  the 
beaks  posteriorly ;  lunule  excavated,  but  not  sharply  defined.  Surface  with 
small,  more  or  less  regular,  concentric  furrows  and  strise. 

Length  of  the  typical  specimen,  0.50  inch;  height,  0.20  inch;  convexity, 
0.20  inch. 

Since  seeing  how  greatly  the  preceding  species  varies  in  form  and 
other  characters,  I  am  led  to  suspect  that  this  may  be  only  a  young  or 
more  depressed  form  of  the  same  shell.  Its  greatest  differences,  aside  from 
its  generally  smaller  size,  are  its  less  gibbous  form,  more  depressed  beaks, 
placed  a  little  farther  backward,  and  its  proportionally  less  attenuated  pos- 
terior, with  its  dorsal  margin  merely  sloping  backward  from  the  beaks  with- 
out being  concave  in  outline.  '  Although  with  my  present  impressions  of 
the  variable  character  of  C.  pyriformis,  I  should  hesitate  to  separate  the 
form  under  consideration  from  that  species,  if  I  were  now  for  the  first  time 
investigating  these  shells,  as  it  has  already  been  described  under  another 
name,  it  may  be  better  to  keep  them  separated  until  we  can  have  an  oppor- 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  175 

tunity  to  study  the  development  of  the  young  of  C.  pyriformis  through  its 
various  stages  of  growth. 

This  form  resembles  Mr.  Grabb's  C.  Eornii,  though  not  so  closely  as 
the  last  resembles  his  C.  alceformis. 

Locality  and  position, — Bear  River,  mouth  of  Sulphur  Creek,  Wyoming, 
from  the  same  horizon  as  the  last. 

GASTEROPODA. 

Genus  RHYTIPHORUS,  Meek. 

(pvTc^^  a  wrinkle ;  (popd^y  to  bear.) 

Bhytiphorusj  Meek  (1873),  Hayden's  Sixth  Ann.  Kep.  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey  of  tbe  Terri- 
tories, 478. 

The  type  of  this  group  has  the  general  aspect  of  Melampus^  excepting 
that  it  has  a  series  of  small,  oblique,  short  folds  around  the  top  of  the  some- 
what shouldered  whorls;  while  a  sHght  curve  in  these  little  folds  or  costse 
indicates  the  presence  of  a  faint  sinus  in  the  lip  near  the  suture,  somewhat 
as  in  Schi^ostoma,  I^ea,  but  much  less  deeply  defined.  It  has  two  folds  on 
the  columella,  while  the  outer  lip  is  thin,  and  apparently  entirely  smooth 
within. 

Type  Melampus  priscus,  Meek,  which  is  the  only  species  known. 
Rhytiphobtjs  PBisous,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  6  and  6  a, 

Melampus  priscus^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat,  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  315. 
Ehytiphorus  priseus,  Meek  (1876),  Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basm 
of  Utah,  364,  pi.  v,  figs.  4  a,  ft.* 

Shell  obovate,  about  once  and  a  half  as  long  as  wide;  spire  depressed- 
conical;  whorls  about  five,  convex,  or  faintly  subangular;  last  one  large, 
somewhat  shouldered  above,  and  tapering  below  the  middle;  suture  well 
defined;  surface  marked  by  rather  obscure/ lines  of  growth,  and  the  small, 
regular,  vertical,  or  slightly  oblique  folds,  which  are  distinct  on  the  volutions 
of  the  spire,  and  around  the  upper  edge  of  the  body-whorl,  but  obsolete  on 
all  the  surface  below  this;  aperture  narrow,  angular  above,  and  apparently 
very  narrowly  rounded  below;  outer  lip  sharp  and  apparently  smooth 
*  These  are  better  figures  than  those  here  given. 


176  PAL.350NTOLOGY. 

within;  columella  provided  with  one  rather  strong  oblique  fold  below,  and 
a  much  smaller  less  oblique  one  about  half-way  up  the  aperture. 

Length,  about  0.77  inch;  breadth,  0.50  inch;  apical  angle  nearly  regu- 
lar, divergence  about  80°. 

I  know  of  no  other  shell  so  nearly  allied  to  this  as  to  render  a  com- 
parison necessary.  Its  most  striking  character  is  the  presence  of  the  little 
folds  around  the  upper  part  of  its  body-volution  and  on  those  of  the  spire. 
These  will  at  once  distinguish  it  from  any  type  of  the  Melampince  known  to 
me,  even  in  specimens  not  in  a  condition  to  show  any  of  the  other  char- 
acters. 

Locality  and  position. — The  only  three  specimens  of  this  species  I  have 
seen  were  found  by  Colonel  Simpson's  party  in  the  brackish- water  carbon- 
aceous beds  at  the  mouth  of  Sulphur  Creek,  on  Bear  River,  Utah. 

OEllIPHASIIDR^. 

PYRauLiFERA  HITMEEOSA,  Meek.* 

Plate  17,  figs.  19,  19  a,  and  wood-cut  fig.  6. 

Melania  humerosa^  Meek  (I860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  XII,  313. 

Tiara  humerosa^  Meek  (1806),  in  Conrad's  Smithsonian  Check-List  of  Eocene  and  Oligo- 

cene  Fossils,  12. 
PyrguUfera  hnmerosa,  Meek  (1872),  in  Dr.  Hayden's  Second  Ann.  Beport  Geol.  Survey 

of  the  Territories,  294  and  299;  and  (1870)  in  Col.  Simpson's  lieport  Expl. 

across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  303,  pi.  v,  fig.  6  a,  Z>,  c. 

Shell  attaining  arather  large  size,  modei'ately  solid,  ovate-subfusiform; 
spire  prominent,  distinctly  turreted;  volutions  five  and  half  to  about  seven, 

♦This  genus  is  related  to  Lithasia^  as  originally  deflnied  by  Professor  Halderaan, 
and  presents  the  following  characters  : 

Shell  subovate,  thick,  imperforate  5  spire  produced,  turreted  ;  volutions  angular, 
shouldered,  and  nodular  above ;  surface  typically  with  vertical  ridges  and  revolving 
markings;  aperture  subovate,  faintly  sinuous,  but  not  notched  or  distinctly  angular 
below ;  outer  lip  prominent  in  outline  below  the  middle,  retreating  at  the  base,  and 
subsinuous  at  the  termination  of  the  shoulder  of  the  body-volution  above;  peristome 
continuous;  inner  lip  a  little  callous  below,  and  thickened  all  the  way  up,  but  without 
a  protuberant  callus  above,  sometimes  with  a  shallow  umbilical  furrow  along  its  outer 
margin  .below. 

Differs  from  Lithasiaj  Haldemau,  in  not  having  its  aperture  distinctly  angular 
and  notched,  or  subcanaliculate  below,  in  wanting  a  protuberance  at  the  top  of  the 
inner  lip,  and  in  having  a  more  produced,  distinctly  turreted  spire,  as  well  as  very 
different  .surface  markings. 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  177 

angular  and  strongly  shouldered,  the  upper  surface  being  flattened  or  a  little 
^^s-  ^'  concave,  with  usually  a  slight  outward  slope  from  the  suture 

to  the  angle  or  shoulder,  where  it  meets  the  vertical  outer  sur- 
face nearly  at  right  angles ;  last  or  body-volution  large,  or 
generally  composing  about  two-thirds  the  entire  bulk  and 
length  of  the  shell;  suture  well  defined  by  the  prominence 
and  angularity  of  the  volutions,  but  not  channeled.  Sur- 
face of  each  turn  ornamented  by  about  ten  to  fifteen  rathei 
strong,  vertical,  or  slightly  oblique  folds,  or  costal,  each 

„      ,.-    ,  of  which  terminates  in  a  small  nodular  projection  at  the 

Pyrguhferahumerosa.  a      j 

Showing  the  aper-  shouldcr  abovc,  SO  as  somctimcs  to  impart  a  subcoronate 
ture    much   better  appearance  to  the  same,  while  they  all  become  nearly  or 

than    the    specimen     ^  ^  '  */  j 

figured  on  the  plate,  quite  obsolete  below  the  middle  of  the  body- volution;  ver- 
tical costae  crossed  by  smaller,  but  quite  distinct  revolving,  raised  lines,  or 
small  ridges,  some  four  to  six  of  which  may  be  counted  on  the  outer  surface 
of  each  turn  of  the  spire,  and  about  ten  on  the  body-volution,  where  they 
increase  in  size  downward;*  upper  flattened  surface  of  the  volution  generally 
only  marked  by  the  moderately  distinct  lines  of  growth  seen  below;  aperture 
obliquely  rhombic -subovate,  being  higher  than  wide,  rounded-subrectangular 
above,  and  narrowed  and  more  or  less  angular,  with  a  slight  sinus  or  notch, 
at  the  connection  of  the  outer  and  inner  lips  near  the  middle  below;  colu- 
mella arcuate;  inner  lip,  in  mature  specimens,  rather  thick  all  the  way  up, 
but  more  so  below,  where  it  is  somewhat  reflected  and  margined  by  a  slight, 
revolving  umbilical  furrow,  with  usually  an  angular  outer  margin;  outer  lip 
sharp,  prominent  near  the  middle,  and  retreating  below  and  at  the  angle  of 
the  whorls  above. 

Length  of  the  largest  specimen  seen  among  hundreds,  1.6  J  inches; 
breadth,  0.90  inch;  height  of  aperture,  0.81  inch;  breadth  of  same,  0.50 
inch. 

All  of  the  specimens  of  this  shell  first  studied,  as  well  as  all  those  for 

some  years  after  brought  in,  had  the  outer  lip  and  lower  part  of  th^  coki- 

mella  broken  away,  so  that  no  very  clear  idea  of  the  nature  of  its  aperture 

and  the  connection  of  its  outer  and  inner  lips  below  could  be  formed  from 

them  ;  while,  in  all  its  characters  that  could  then  be  determined,  it  so  closely 

*  These  revolving  ridges  are  represented  too  coarse  in  the  above  figure. 
12  p  R 


178  PAL.«:ONfOLOGY. 

resembled  the  typical  forms  of  the  foreign  genus  Melania  (zr  Tiara)  that  I  was 
led  to  refer  it  to  that  group.  At  last,  however,  a  fine,  large,  nearly  perfect 
specimen  was  brought  from  the  original  locality,  and  this  at  once  showed 
that  the  outline  of  the  lower  part  of  its  aperture  is  more  angular,  and  its 
inner  lip  more  thickened  below  than  in  the  Tiara  group ;  the  whole  com- 
bination of  characters  being  more  nearly  as  in  Lithasiaj  but  still  evidently 
different  from  that  genus.  Consequently,  in  Dr.  Hayden's  Second  Annual 
Report,  I  proposed  to  found  a  new  genus  Pyrgulifera,  for  its  reception ; 
which  name  I  now  retain  for  it. 

Among  the  Old  World  fossil  species,  this  shell  seems  to  be  most  nearly 
represented  by  Melania  armata  of  Matheron,  from  the  Lower  Eocene  lignite 
beds  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rhone,  in  the  southeast  of  France  (see  Cat  Mdth. 
Corps  Org.  Foss.  du  Depart,  des  Bouches-du-Rh6ne,  pi.  37,  figs.  11,  12, 
and  13).  It  differs,  however,  in  the  form  of  its  aperture,  as  well  as  in  hav- 
ing the  vertical  folds,  or  costse,  on  all  of  the  volutions  of  the  spire  and  the 
upper  flattened  part  of  its  whorls  nearly  or  entirely  without  revolving  lines; 
while  those  below  the  angle  of  M,  armata  are  finer  and  more  numerous  than 
on  our  shell,  which  also  has  its  inner  lip  generally  thicker  below. 

Locality  and  position, — Sulphur  Creek,  near  Bear  River,  Wyoming, 
directly  on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  where  it  occurs  in  the  upheaved 
beds  in  great  numbers,  along  with  numerous  fresh-water  and  perhaps  some 
brackish-water  shells,  belonging  to  the  horizon  of  the  latest  Cretaceous  or 
oldest  Tertiary. 

VIVIPARID^. 

Genus  VIVIPARUS,  Montfort. 

YiviPARUS  CoNRADi,  Meek  aud  Hayden. 
Plate  17,  figs.  18  and  18  a. 

Paludina  Conradi^  Meek  and  Hayden(18o6),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VlII,  112. 
Viviparus  Conradi^  Meek  (1866),  in  Conrad^s  Smithsonian  CheckList,  12, 

Shell  subtrochiform ;  spire  conical,  moderately  prominent,  abruptly 
pointed  at  the  apex;  volutions  five  or  six,  flattened  nearly  to  the  slope  of 
the  spire ;  last  one  rather  distinctly  angular  around  the  middle  in  young 
shells,  but  more  obtuse  in  the  adult ;  suture  generally  merely  linear.     Sur- 


CRETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  179 

face  marked  with  fine  oblique  lines  of  growth,  which,  in  well-preserved 
specimens,  are  sometimes  seen  to  be  crossed  on  the  upper  volutions  b\ 
traces  of  minute  revolving*  strise,  scarcely  visible  without  the  aid  of  a  mag- 
nifier. Aperture  rhombic-subcircular ;  columalla  rather  deeply  sinuous  in 
the  umbilical  region  ;  axis  imperforate. 

Length  of  an  adult  shell,  about  1  inch;  breadth,  0.70  inch;  length  of 
aperture,  0.44  inch;  apical  angle  nearly  regular,  or  with  slightly  convex 
slopes,  divergence  54^. 

The  above  description  was  made  out  from  the  typical  specimens  from 
the  Upper  Missouri  country  near  the  mouth  of  the  Judith  River.  The 
example  we  have  figured  from  Wyoming  is  quite  imperfect,  though  agree- 
ing well  with  those  from  the  Upper  Missouri  in  all  respects,  so  far  as  its 
condition  affbrds  the  means  of  comparison.  Being  so  far  as  yet  known 
apparently  common  to  these  two  distantly  separated  localities,  I  have 
thought  it  desirable  to  give  a  figure  of  it,  notwithstanding  the  imperfect 
condition  of  the  specimen.  The  identity  of-  the  Bear  River  specimen  with 
the  true  F.  Conradi  cannot  be  regarded  as  positively  demonstrated. 

Locality  and  position, — Mouth  of  Sulphur  Creek,  on  Bear  River,  Wyom- 
ing, at  the  same  horizon  as  the  last ;  Museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion^ Colonel  Simpson's  collection. 

Genus  CAMPELOMA,  Raf. 
Campeloma  macrospira.  Meek  ?. 

Plate  17,  figs.  17  a,  h. 

Melantho  (Campeloma)  macrospira,  Meek  (1872),  Haydeu's  Second  Ann.  Eeport  U.  S. 

Geol.  Survey  of  the  Territories,  299. 
Compare  Turho  paludinwformis^  Hall  (1845),  Fr6inont's  lieport  Expl.  Rocky  Mts.,  309, 

pi.  iii,  fi^s.  13  and  13  a. 

Shell  ovate,  of  medium  size;  volutions  about  five  or  six,  convex,  increas- 
ing rather  gradually  in  size,  and  without  revolving  ridges  or  angularities; 
spire  moderately  prominent,  conical,  and  not  eroded  at  the  apex ;  suture 
distinct  in  consequence  of  the  convexity  of  the  volutions ;  surface  with  fine, 
obscure,  slightly  sigmoid  lines  of  growth ;  aperture  ovate ;  inner  lip  some- 
what thickened  below. 


180  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

Length,  about  0.95  inch;  breadth,  O.f^O  inch;  length  of  aperture,  0.45 
inch ;  breadth  of  aperture,  0.30  inch. 

I  have  been  incUned  to  refer  this  shell  to  C  paludinceformis  {-zzTurho 
paludinreformis,  Hall),  figured  in  Fremont's  Report;  but  the  fact  that  that  spe- 
cies is  said  to  be  associated  with  Goniobasis  nodulosa  (=  Cerithium  nodulosum, 
Hall),  in  a  light-colored  '^  Oolitic  limestone",  seems  to  be  a  very  strong- 
objection  to  the  conclusion  that  it  can  be  the  species  here  under  considera- 
tion ;  the  latter  being  from  dark,  carbonaceous,  shaly  and  arenaceous  beds, 
probably  belonging  to  a  very  different  horizon.  I  have  seen  specimens 
believed  to  belong  to  (?.  nodulosa j  in  a  light- colored  matrix  from  this  region, 
densely  packed  with  Cypris,  presenting  much  the  appearance  of  oolitic  par- 
ticles; but  these  came  from  an  entirely  different  formation,  containing  a 
different  group  of  fossils  from  those  found  in  the  strata  from  which  the 
shell  under  consideration  was  obtained.  In  size  and  general  appearance, 
our  shell  is  not  very  unlike  Professor  Hall's  figures  of  C,  paludinceformis; 
but  still  it  has  a  less  oblique  suture  and  more  convex  volutions. 

The  form  here  described  agrees  well  with  many  specimens  now  before 
me  from  the  same  locality  and  beds,  which  specimens  I  think  most  proba- 
bly medium-si^ied  examples  of  C,  macrospira,  founded  on  a  much  larger, 
more  elongated  shell ;  but,  as  they  may  possibly  be  distinct,  I  have  merely 
referred  them  provisionally  to  that  species.  In  order  to  facilitate  com- 
parison, I  give  below  a  description  of  C,  macrospira,  from  the  original 
typical  specimens  : 

Campeloma  {Melantho)  macrospira,  Meek, — Shell  attaining  a  rather  large 
size,conoid-subovate;  spire  elongate-conical;  volutions  five  or  six, moderately 
convex ;  suture  deep,  rather  oblique ;  body-volution  larger  in  proportion 
to  the  others  than  would  be  formed  by  the  regular  rate  of  increase  of  those 
above,  and  obliquely  produced  below  ;  aperture  comparatively  large,  ovate; 
inner  lip  rather  thick,  arcuate,  a  little  reflexed,  but  not  covering  the  deep 
umbilical  indentation,  in  old  shells  rather  distinct  from  the  body-volution 
all  the  way  up ;  surface  only  showing  the  usual  slightly  sigmoid  lines  of 
growth.     Length,  about  1.80  inches ;  breadth,  1.14  inches. 

The  form  here  referred  to  C  macrospira  seems  to  agree  pretty  well  in 
size  and  proportions  with  the  upper  three  or  four  volutions  of  that  shell; 


CKETACEOUS  FOSSILS.  Ig] 

though  it  still  has- a  rather  less  oblique  suture.     The  body-volution  of  the 
adult  C,  macrospira,  however,  is  suddenly,  and  dispropoitionally  enlarged, 
and  so  oblique  as  to  give  a  rather  different  aspect  to  the  whole  shell. 
Locality  and  position. — Same  as  foregoing. 

CAMPELOMA  (UDdt.  sp.).' 
Plate  17,  figs.  15  fl,  6,  and  16  a,  6,  c. 

Shell  ovate,  attaining  a  medium  size;  volutions  about  five  or  six,  con- 
vex, rounded,  increasing  moderately  in  size,  all  without  revolving  angles; 
spire  moderately  prominent;  suture  well  defined,  in  consequence  of  the 
convexity  of  the  volutions;  surface  showing  fine,  slightly  oblique,  some- 
what sigmoid  lines  of  growth;  aperture  ovate;  inner  lip  apparently  a  little 
thickened,  and  in  adult  shells  somewhat  reflexed  below,  but  leaving  a  small 
umbilical  pit  uncovered. 

Length  of  one  of  the  larger  specimens,  about  1.45  inches;  breadth, 
about  0.95  inch. 

Our  fig.  15  a  does  not  give  a  correct  idea  of  the  form  of  the  aperture, 
which,  in  the  specimen  figured,  is  filled  with  rocky  material  that  laps  upon 
the  columella,  so  as  to  give  an  unnatural  apparent  breadth  to  the  mouth 
of  the  shell.  The  engraving  also  makes  the  marks  of  growth  much  too 
coarse  and  too  straight  on  fig.  15;  and  the  specimen  is  compressed  accident- 
ally, so  as  to  appear  broader  than  natural.  It  may,  therefore,  be  only  a 
distorted  specimen  of  the  last;  and  the  smaller  specimens  represented  by 
figs.  16  and  16  a,  6,  c  are  probably  young  shells. 

Locality  and  position, — Same  as  foregoing. 

LIMN^ID^. 
Genus  LIMN^A,  Lamarck. 

LlMN-^A  (LiMNOPHYSA)  NITIDULA,   Meek. 

Plate  17,  tigs.  5,  5  a.* 

Melania  fniiidula^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Pbilad.,  XII,  314, 
Limncea  nitidulay  Meek  (1866),  in  Conrad's  Eocene  Smithsonian  Check-List,  9. 

Shell  small,  ovate-subfusiform;  spire  conical,  moderately  elevated;  vo- 
lutions about  six  and  a  half,  convex,  last  one  forming  two-thirds  of  the 

*  Fig.  5  a  does  not  give  a  very  correct  representation  of  the  aperture  of  this  shell. 


V 


1 82  PALEONTOLOGY. 

entire  length;  suture  well  defined;  aperture  subovate,  narrowly  rounded 
below  and  angular  above,  scarcely  equalingone-half  the  length  of  the  shell; 
columella  apparently  with  only  a  very  small  fold,  and  showing  by  the  side 
of  the  inner  lip  below,  appearances  of  a  small  umbilical  indentation.  Stu*- 
face  marked  by  fine,  rather  obscure  lines  of  growth,  with  (on  some  speci- 
mens) exceedingly  faint  traces  of  microscopical  revolving  striae. 

Length,  0.40  inch;  breadth,  0.20  inch;  apical  angle  convex,  divergence 
40^: 

Among  recent  species,  this  may  be  compared  with  L.  humilis,  and 
the  several  forms  regarded  by  Mr.  Binney  as  varieties  of  that  species.  It 
is  a  decidedly  more  slender  shell,  with  a  less  expanded  aperture  and  less 
developed  inner  lip  than  Mr.  Binney's  figure  (p.  63,  fig.  99,  Land  and 
Fresh  Water  Shells)  of  an  authentic  specimen  of  that  species.  It  agrees, 
however,  more  nearly  in  fonn  with  some  of  those  figured  by  Mr.  Binney 
as  varieties  of  L.  humiliSj  but  still  differs  from  them  all  in  other  details. 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last.  By  some  oversight,  in  first  describ- 
ing this  species,  the  locality  was  wrongly  given  as  Ham's  Fork,  latitude  41^ 
40'  north,  longitude  110^  10'  west. 

SPECIES   OF    UNDOUBTED    TERTIAllY   AGE. 

M0LLU8CA. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

CYRENID^. 

Genus  SPHJ^RIUM,  Scopoh. 
Sph^uiitm  rugosum.  Meek. 

Plate  16,  figs.  2, 2  a,  and  2  b. 
Sphcerium  rtigosum,  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  Ap.,  56.  • 

Shell  above  medium  size,  rather  gibbous,  thick,  quadrato-suborbicular 
in  outline,  the  length  being  a  little  greater  than  the  height;  greatest  con- 
vexity slightly  above  the  middle;  anterior  margin  more  or  less  regularly 
rounded;  base  semi-elliptic  or  sub-semicircular  in  outline;  posterior  margin 


•     UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  183 

generally  a  little  wider  than  the  anterior,  and  faintly  subtruncated,  with  an 
anterior  slope:  dorsal  outline  rounding  into  the  anterior  and  posterior  mar- 
gins, but  more  regularly  into  the  former.  Beaks  not  eroded,  nearly  cen- 
tral, rather  prominent,  and  incurved,  but  not  oblique.  Surface  ornamented 
by  sharply-defined,  often  elevated,  concentric  striae,  separated  by  rounded 
furrows,  in  which  very  minute  lines  of  growth  may  be  seen  under  a  magni- 
fier; the  elevated  concentric  strise  becoming  more  regular,  coarser,  more 
distantly  separated,  and  more  prominent  on  the  umbones.  Cardinal  margin 
and  lateral  teeth  comparatively  stout. 

Length  of  largest  specimen,  0.34  inch;  height,  0.30  inch;  convexity,  0.28 
inch. 

Tlie  most  marked  characteristics  of  this  species  are  its  quadrato- 
Buborbicular,  rather  gibbous  form,  very  nearly  central  beaks,  and  particu- 
larly its  sharply  elevated,  concentric  strise,  growing  stronger,  more 
prominent,  and  more  distantly  separated  on  the  umbones,  until  near  the 
points  of  the  same  they  often  assume  the  character  of  sharp,  raised  plica- 
tions. In  some  of  the  smaller  specimens,  these  raised,  rather  distantly 
separated,  stronger  strise  extend  over  nearly  the  whole  surface;  while  in 
others  they  pass  gradually  into  mere  irregular  lines  of  growth  on  most  of 
the  surface,  occasionally  separated  by  wider  furrows. 

In  form,  this  species  is  very  similar  to  the  existing  S,  Vermontamim  of 
Prime,  with  which  it  also  agrees  nearly  in  size.  It  is  more  regularly 
rounded  in  front,  however,  and  has  stouter  lateral  teeth;  while  its  concen- 
tric, raised  striae  and  impressed  sulcations  are  generally  larger  and  grow 
more  distinct  on  the  umbones  than  below,  instead  of  the  reverse.  In  this 
latter  character  of  marking,  it  agrees  more  nearly  with  S.  aureum^  Prime, 
from  which,  however,  it  differs  entirely  in  form. 

Locality  and  position, — Fossil  Hill,  Kaw-soh  Mountains,  Nevada;  in  a 
white  calcareous  matrix  of  Tertiary  age. 

Sph^rium?  Idahoense,  Meek. 

Plate  1(),  Ug.  1  and  1  a. 
Sphceriumf  Idahoensey  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Pliilad.,  Ap.,  57. 

Shell  attaining  a  large  size,  moderately  convex,  rather  thick  in  propor- 
tion to  size,  orbicular-subovate  in  outline,  being  wider  in  front  than  pos- 


184  PALEONTOLOGY. 

teriorly;  anterior  margin  regularly  rounded;  l^ase  semi-ovate  in  outline;  pos- 
terior margin  somewhat  narrowly  rounded  below  and  sloping  forward  above; 
dorsal  margin  short ;  beaks  placed  in  advance  of  the  middle,  a  little  com- 
pressed, and  directed  obliquely  forward  and  inward ;  surface  marked  by 
concentric  strise  and  fuiTOws ;  lateral  teeth  stout. 

Length,  0.98  inch;  height,  about  0.92  inch;  convexity,  about  0.54  inch. 

The  specimens  of  this  shell  are  not  in  a  very  good  state  of  preserva- 
tion, being,  with  one  exception,  internal  casts,  and  this  one  only  retains  a 
part  of  the  shell.  They  certainly  differ,  however,  from  the  last  not  only  in 
their  much  larger  size,  but  in  being  less  nearly  equilateral,  more  produced, 
and  rather  more  narrowly  rounded  posteriorly,  as  well  as  proportionally  less 
convex.  The  internal  casts  have  the  umbonal  region  from  a  little  above 
the  middle  of  the  valves  compressed.  Some  of  these  casts  show  a  few 
rather  distinct,  broad,  irregular,  concentric  undulations  that  were  doubtless 
more  strongly  defined  on  the  exterior  of  the  valves. 

None  of  the  specimens  of  this  shell  show  the  hinge  very  clearly;  but, 
from  its  large  size  and  thickness,  I  was  at  first  inclined  to  believe  it  a  Cyrena 
or  a  Corbicula.  Impressions  in  the  matrix,  however,  show  that  its  lateral 
teeth  are  not  striated,  nor  of  the  form  seen  in  the  latter  genus.  Possibly  I 
should  call  it  Cyrena  Idahoensis;  as  its  pallial  line  is  certainly  simple,  how- 
ever, and  not  sinuous,  as  in  most  of  the  American  living  species,  and,  so 
far  as  known,  in  nearly  all  the  fossil  Cyrenas  and  Corbiculas  of  this  con- 
tinent, I  have  concluded  to  place  it  provisionally  in  the  genus  Sphcerium 
until  better  specimens  can  be  obtained  for  study. 

Locality  and  position, — Same  as  last,  and  from  same  formation  at  Castle 

Creek,  Idaho. 

UNIONID^. 

Genus  UNIO,  Retzius. 
Unio  Haydeni,  Meek. 

Plate  16,  figs.  3,  3  a,  and  3  6. 
(Tndo  Haydeni^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  Xlf,  312,-  and  (1876)  in 
Col.  Simpson's  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utab,  364,  pi.  v,  figs. 
11  a,  b. 

Shell  rather  small,  or  of  nearly  medium  size,  elliptic-subovate,  rather 


UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  185 

more  than  once  and  a  half  as  long  as  high,  moderately  convex,  the  greatest 
convexity  being  usually  slightly  above  and  in  advance  of  the  middle;  ante- 
rior end  rounded;  posterior  end  more  or  less  regularly  rounded,  being 
usually  most  prominent  a  little  below  the  middle;  basal  margin  forming  a 
semi-elliptic  curve;  dorsal  outline  somewhat  straightened,  or  slightly  convex, 
along  the  central  region,  and  rounding  into  the  anterior  and  posterior  mar- 
gins; but  more  abruptly  to  the  former;  beaks  much  depressed  and  incon- 
spicuous, located  about  half-way  between  the  middle  and  the  anterior 
margin;  hinge  equaling  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  valves;  lateral 
teeth  rather  long  and  nearly  straight;  cardinal  teeth  unknown.  Surface 
smooth,  excepting  small  stride  of  growth. 

Length,  1.60  inches;  height,  1  inch;  convexity,  0.64  inch. 

This  species  is  mainly  characterized  by  its  regular,  nearly  elliptic  out- 
line, inconspicuous  beaks,  and  smooth  surface.  Its  shorter  and  more  elliptic 
form,  and  especially  its  smooth  umbones,  will  at  once  distinguish  it  from 
both  of  the  Bear  River  species.  I  have  sometimes  suspected  that  this  shell 
might  possibly  be  the  same  figured  and  described  by  Professor  Hall,  in 
Fremont's  Report,  page  307,  plate  iii,  fig.  1  (not  fig,  2),  under  the  name  Mija 
tellinoides.  Still,  that  figure  seems  to  represent  a  shell  with  a  more  atten- 
uated posterior  and  more  prominent  beaks.  At  any  rate,  it  may  be  regarded 
as  extremely  improbable  that  the  figure  cited,  if  correctly  drawn,  repre- 
sents a  shell  even  nearly  related  to  My  a;  and,  although  not  agreeing  exactly 
with  any  of  the  known  Uniones  from  that  region,  it  very  probably  represents 
a  species  of  that  genus.  I  greatly  regret  not  having  an  opportunity  to  com- 
pare our  western  fresh-water  shells  with  those  figured  in  Fremont's  Report, 
the  types  of  which  are  in  Albany,  N.  Y.  I  saw  them  all  many  years  back; 
but,  not  being  at  that  time  interested  in  the  study  of  such  forms,  I  retained 
no  very  distinct  recollection  of  tlieir  specific  characters,  while  the  published 
description  is  too  brief  to  aid  one'  much  in  identifying  them. 

Locality  and  position, — The  typical  specimens  of  this  species  were 
brought  by  Colonel  Simpson  from  a  whitish  limestone,  containing  great 
numbers  of  Goniobasis  Simpson%  at  Ham's  Fork,  near  Fort  Bridger,  Wyom- 
ing Ten-itory.  Dr.  Hayden  has  also  obtained  specimens  of  it  from  near  the 
same  locality.     It  belongs  to  the  Bridger  Group  of  the  Tertiary  series. 


186  •  PALEONTOLOGY. 

GASTEROPODA. 

LIMNMIDM. 

Genus  ANCYLUS,  Geoffroy. 
Ancylus  undulatus,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  18  a  and  12  6. 
Ancylus  nndulatus,  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  IvTat.  Sci.  Philad.,  57. 

Shell  thin,  attaining  a  very  large  size,  elliptic-oval  in  outline,  being 
sometimes  slightly  widest  a  little  in  advance  of  the  middle;  apex  much  ele- 
vated, pointed,  curved  backward,  and  placed  about  half-way  between  the 
middle  and  the  posterior  margin;  posterior  slope  concave;  lateral  slopes 
nearly  straight;  anterior  slope  distinctly  convex.  Surface  marked  with  fine, 
rather  obscure  lines  of  growth,  and  strong,  comparatively  large,  concentric 
undulations,  most  distinct  and  regular  on  the  anterior  slope,  where  there  are 
sometimes  very  obscure  traces  of  about  three  radiating  ridges. 

Length  of  the  largest  specimen  seen,  0.67  inch;  breadth  of  the  same, 
0.54  inch;  height,  0.35  inch. 

The  specimens  show  some  variation  in  their  proportions,  as  well  as  in 
the  regularity  and  distinctness  of  the  undulations;  the  largest  individual 
from  which  the  above  measurements  were  taken  being  proportionally  a 
little  wider  and  more  elevated  than  some  of  the  smaller  ones,  while  its 
undulations  are  less  distinctly  and  regularly  defined.  As  there  are  various 
gradations,  however,  in  these  characters,  I  am  at  present  inclined  to  regard 
them  as  mere  individual  modifications  of  one  species. 

Owing  to  the  thinness  of  the  shell,  the  undulations  are  often  quite  well- 
defined  on  internal  casts,  particularly  along  the  anterior  slope. 

The  only  North  American  recent  species  with  which  I  am  acquainted 
that  approaches  this  in  size  is  the  A.  Newberryij  described  by  Dr.  Lea,  from 
California.  From  this,  the  species  under  consideration  differs  in  having  its 
apex  nearer  the  posterior,  and  much  more  pointed  and  curved  backward. 
The  undulations  of  its  anterior  slope  also  give  the  shell  quite  a  different 
appearance. 

Locality  and  position, — Fossil  Hill,  Kaw-soh  Mountains,  Nevada. 


UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  187 

Genus  CARINIFEX,  Binney. 

Subgenus  VORTIGIFEX,*  Meek. 

(Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  Ap.,  1870,  .C9.) 

This  type  differs  from  Carinifex  proper  in  having  no  traces  of  the 

revolving  caringe  seen  on  the  typical  species  of  that  genus,  and  in  having 

very  strongly  defined  costas  of  growth  on  young  examples.     It  is  also  a 

thicker  shell,  with  a  smaller  umbilicus.     The  first  of  the  following  species 

is  regarded  as  the  type  of  the  subgenus.     The  group  seems  to  be  related  to 

Choanomphahis,  Gerstfeldt;  but,  as  that  genus  was  founded  on  minute  or  very 

small  shells,  quite  similar  to  Valvata^  it  is  riot  very  probable  that  our  type 

is  congeneric. 

Carinifex  (Vobticifex)  Binneyi,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  11,  11a. 
Carinifex  Binneyi^  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  IJ^at.  Sci.  Philad.,  59. 

Shell  attaining  a  large  size,  depressed-subglobose  in  form ;  spire  scarcely 
rising  above  the  body- whorl;  umbilicus  large,  but  rapidly  contracting 
within;  volutions  about  three  and  a  half,  increasing  very  rapidly  in  size; 
those  of  the  spire  a  little  convex ;  last  one  forming  more  than  nine-tenths 
the  entire  bulk  of  the  shell,  widest  above,  and  produced  below  so  as  to  form  a 
prominent  ridge,  or  subangular  margin  around  the  widely-excavated  umbili- 
cal region ;  all  without  revolving  carinse ;  aperture  large,  obovate,  being 
widest  above  and  narrowed  abruptly  to  a  subangular  termination  below ; 
lip  remarkably  oblique,  apparently  very  slightly  reflexed,  and  strongly 
produced  forward  above.  Surface  marked  with  extremely  oblique  lines  of 
growth,  which  apparently  sometimes  form  little  regular  costse. 

Height,  0.59  inch;  breadth,  1  inch;  height  of  aperture,  about  0.50  inch; 
breadth  of  aperture,  0.54  inch. 

This  species  differs  too  widely  in  nearly  all  of  its  characters  to  require 
comparison  with  (7.  Newherryi,  the  typical  and  only  known  living  species 
of  true  Carinifex,  which  it  also  exceeds  in  size. 

All  of  the  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  collection  are  incrusted  by  a 
laminated,  smooth,  calcareous  deposit  that  has  to  be  removed  before  the  sur- 

*  This  name  was  wrongly  priuted  Vortifex  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Academy. 


188  PAL^O:STOLCGY. 

face-marking  can  be  seen.  This  is  continuous  over  the  suture,  and  covers 
all  the  volutions  of  the  spire.  At  first,  I  was  inclined  to  think  that  it  might 
have  been  secreted  by  the  mantle  of  the  animal  enveloping  the  whole  shell; 
but  further  examinations  have  led  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  more  probably 
merely  an  inorganic  incrustation  precipitated  over  the  surface  after  the  death 
of  the  animal,  as  some  of  the  other  types  from  the  same  beds  are  similarly 
covered. 

This  shell  approaches  the  aspect  of  the  typical  form  of  the  genus 
CarinifeXj  but  still  wants  the  characteristic  carinse  of  that  type. 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last 

Oarinifex  (VoRTioiFEX)  Tryoni,  Meok. 

Plate  17,  fig8.  10, 10  a,  10  &,  10  c. 

Carinifex  ( Vordcifex)  Tryoni^  Meek  ( Ap.,  1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci*  Philad.,  59. 
Carinifex  ( Vorticifex)  Tryorii  var.  concava,  Meek,  ib. 

Shell  depressed-subglobose,  approaching  subdiscoidal,  the  spire  being 
much  depressed.  Volutions  four  and  a  half  to  five,  increasing  rather  rap- 
idly in  size;  those  of  the  spire  slightly  convex;  last  one  sometimes  becoming 
a  little  concave  on  the  upper  slope  near  the  aperture,  and  more  or  less  ven- 
tricose  below,  the  most  prominent  part  being  near  the  rather  small,  deep 
umbilicus,  into  which  its  inner  side  rounds  abruptly;  all  the  whorls  rounded 
on  the  outer  side,  and  without  any  traces  of  carinse  or  revolving  markings; 
suture  well  defined;  aperture  rather  large,  subcircular,  its  height  being  to  its 
breadth  about  as  29  to  34;  lip  sharp,  oblique,  and  produced  forward  above, 
faintly  sinuous  at  the  middle  of  the  outer  side,  as  well  as  at  the  inner  side 
of  the  base,  where  •it  is  a  little  thicker.  Surface  ornamented  with  small, 
distinct,  regular  ridges,  and  much  finer  lines  of  growth,  running  parallel 
to  the  very  oblique  outline  of  the  lip. 

Height,  0.35  inch;  breadth,  0.64  inch;  height  of  aperture,  0.29  inch; 
breadth  of  aperture,  0.34  inch. 

This  shell  differs  from  the  foregoing  species  in  its  smaller  size,  more 
rounded,  less  rapidly  enlarging  whorls,more  prominent  spire,  and  less  exca- 
vated umbilical  region.  It  evidently  varies  considerably  in  form  and  sur- 
face-markings, some  of  the  specimens  being  proportionally  more  ventricose, 
or,  in  other  Words,  have  the  body- volution,  and  consequently  the  aperture, 


UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  189 

higher  in  proportion  to  breadth  than  the  others,  while  more  or  less  difference 
in  the  elevation  or  depression  of  the  spire  is  observable.  The  most  marked 
differences,  however,  are  to  be  observed  in  the  character  of  the  surface- 
markings.  Yet,  since  proposing  for  it  a  dictinct  name,  more  critical  com- 
parisons lead  me  to  suspect  that  it  may  be  only  the  young  form,  or  the 
inner  volutions  of  the  last. 

Another  form,  which  I  described  as  C,  Tryoni  var.  concava,  in  the  Pro  - 
ceedings  of  the  Academy,  cited  above,  has  the  spire  depressed  below  the 
top  of  the  body-whorl,  so  as  to  be  a  little  concave.  This  may  possibly  be 
a  distinct  species,  but  it  agrees  so  nearly  with  the  typical  C.  Tryoni  in 
nearly  all  other  respects  that  I  am  inclined  to  regard  it  as  a  mere  variety 
of  this  shell.     It  is  represented  by  fig.  10  c  of  plate  17. 

Locality  and  position. — Fossil  Hill,  Kaw-soh  Mountains,  Nevada;  Tertiary. 

Genus  PLANORBIS,  Guttard. 
Planorbis  sPECTABiLis,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figP.  13,  and  13  a,  &, c,d,  €,f. 
Planorbis  spectabilis^  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  312  j  and 
(1876)  in  Col.  Simpson^s  Report  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  366,  pi. 
V,  figs.  7  a-d* 

Shell  rather  large,  discoidal,  concave  above  and  below,  but  more  deeply 
below  than  above;  volutions  about  six,  increasing  gradually  in  size,  gen- 
erally a  little  higher  than  wide,  rounded  on  the  periphery,  more  narrowly 
rounded  below,  and  convex  but  more  depressed  above ;  each  about  half 
enveloped  below,  and  near  one-fourth  above,  by  the  succeeding  turn.  Sur- 
face and  aperture  unknown. 

Greatest  breadth,  0.80  inch ;  height,  0.26  inch ;  section  of  outer  volu- 
tion, 0.23  inch  wide  by  0.26  inch  in  hight. 

Since  describing  this  shell  under  the  above  name,  I  have  suspected  that 
it  may  possibly  be  only  a  large  variety,  or  more  fully  developed  P.  con- 
volutus,  M.  &  II.  It  has  much  the  same  form  ;  but,  as  the  types  were  found 
at  widely  different  localities,  and  apparently  at  different  horizons,  I  do  not 
feel  sure  that  they  can  be  properly  united  under  one  specific  name. 

Locality  and  position,— The  specimen  figured  was  found  by  Colonel 
Simpson  on  Ham's  Fork,  Wyoming. 

♦These  figures  were  drawq  from  better  specimens  than  those  here  illustrated. 


190  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Planorbis  spectabilis  var.  Utahensis,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  14,  14  a,  14  6,  and  14  c. 

Flanorbis  Utahensis^  Meek  (I860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  Xlf,  314;  and 
(187G)  in  Col.  Simpsou^s  Eeport  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basiu  of  Utah,  305,  pi.  v, 
figs.  8  a,  bj  c. 

Shell  large,  discoidal;  upper  side  nearly  flat,  or  sometimes  slightly 
concave  in  the  middle;  periphery  rather  narrowly  rounded  or  subangular; 
umbihcus  moderately  large,  rather  deep;  volutions  five  and  a  half  to  six, 
increasing  gradually  in  size,  wider  than  high,  and  moderately  convex  both 
above  and  below,  each  about  one-half  enveloped  on  the  under  side,  and  less 
than  one-fourth  on  the  upper,  by  the  next  succeeding  turn.  Surface  and 
aperture  unknown. 

Greatest  breadth  of  a  large  specimen,  about  1.19  inches;  height,  0.35 
inch. 

This  form  is  much  like  the  last,  but  differs  in  having  a  deeper  umbil- 
icus, and  proportionally  wider  volutions,  which  are  generally  distinctly 
wider  than  high,  instead  of  the  reverse.  It  seems  to  be  quite  similar  to  P. 
rotimdatus  of  Brongniart,  from  the  Paris  Basin;  but  none  of  the  specimens 
show  any  traces  of  the  angle  around  the  under  side  of  the  volutions,  gener- 
ally seen  in  that  shell,  as  illustrated  by  Deshayes  in  the  supplement  to  his 
great  work  on  the  fossils  of  the  Paris  Basin.  Among  our  known  recent 
American  species,  it  is  perhaps  most  nearly  represented  by  P.  subcrenatus 
of  Carpenter,  from  Oregon;  but  it  evidently  shows  a  greater  number  of 
volutions  on  the  upper  side,  and  certainly  seems  not  to  have  had  as  strong 
marks  of  growth  as  that  shell.  It  is  true  the  specimens  are  all  casts;  but  it 
seems  scarcely  probable  that  if  it  had  ever  possessed  these  lines  there  would 
have  been  no  traces  of  them  left. 

The  type-specimens  of  this  form  certainly  have  much  more  depressed  and 
proportionally  wider  volutions  than  the  last;  and  if  we  could  be  quite  sure 
that  this  is  not,  at  least  in  part,  due  to  accidental  pressure,  there  would  be 
scarcely  any  reason  for  doubting  that  it  is  specifically  distinct. 

The  form  referred  to  this  species  by  Dr.  White,  in  his  report  on  Lieu- 
tenant Wheeler's  collections,  plate  xxi,  fig.  8,  seems  to  me  to  agree  more 
nearly  with  the  last. 


UNDOUBTED  TBUTIAEY  SPECIES.  191 

Locality  and  position,— \l?Lxn'^  lork,  near  Fort  Bridger,  Bridger  beds 
of  the  Wyoming  Territory ;  collections  of  Colonel  Simpson's  expedition,  in 
Museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution ;  Tertiary.  Dr.  Hayden's  party 
have  also  brought  this  shell  from  the  same  region. 

Genus  LIMN^A,  Lamarck. 

LlMN^A   (LiMNOPHYSA)   VETUSTA,  Meek, 
Plate  17,  figs.  4,  4  a,  and  4  b, 

Limnoea  vetu8ta,Ue^\i  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XIII,  314;  and  (1876) 
in  Col.  Simpson's  Report  ExpU  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  365,  pi.  v, 
figs.  3  a,  &. 

Shell  small,  elongate-subovate,  or  subfusiform;  spire  moderately  prom- 
inent, conical,  scarcely  as  long  as  the  aperture;  volutions  five  and  a  half  to 
six,  compressed-convex;  last  one  not  very  ventricose,  sometimes  almost  sub- 
cylindrical;  suture  well  defined,  with  comparatively  little  obliquity ;  surface 
showing  only  obscure  lines  of  growth;  aperture  very  narrow,  subovate; 
columella  with  a  moderately  distinct  fold. 

Length,  0.56  inch;  breadth,  0.26  inch. 

Among  existing  species  this  may  be  compared  with  i.  decidiosa  of  Sa}^ 
some  varieties  of  which  it  quite  nearly  resembles.  Its  body- volution,  how- 
ever, is  less  ventricose,  and  its  aperture  less  expanded,  than  we  see  in  any 
of  the  several  forms  that  have  been  supposed  to  be  varieties  of  that  species. 
It  is  perhaps  more  nearly  allied  to  some  of  the  real  or  supposed  varieties 
of  L,  humiliSj  Say;  though  not  exactly  agreeing  with  any  of  them.  It  varies 
much  in  form. 

Locality  and  position. — Ham's  Fork,  near  Fort  Bridger ;  Colonel  Simp- 
son's collection,  in  the  Museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution;  Tertiary. 

LiMN^A  siMiLis,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  .3  aod  3  a. 

Limncea  similiSj  Meek  (1860),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Set.  Philad.,  XII,  314;  and  (1876)  in 
Ool.  Simpson^s  Eeport  Expl.  across  tbe^reat  Basia  of  Utah,  365,  pi.  v, 
figs.  2  a,  b. 

Shell  small,  narrow-subovate,  approaching  subfusiform;  spire  rather 
prominent,  nearly  as  long  as  the  aperture ;  volutions  five  and  a  half  to  six, 
convex;  suture  rather  deep  and  oblique;  surface  showing  only  fine,  obscure 


192  PALEONTOLOGY. 

lines  of  growth,  scarcely  visible  without  the  aid  of  a  lens;  aperture  subovate, 
rather  narrowly  rounded  below,  and  acutely  angular  above ;  columella 
twisted. into  a  moderately  prominent  fold. 

Length,  0.39  inch;  breadth,  0.19  inch;  apical  angle  slightly  convex^ 
divergence  about  38^. 

This  variable  form  is  so  closely  allied  to  the  last  that  I  am  nearly  satisfied 
that  it  is  only  a  variety  of  the  same.  Its  chief  difference  consists  in  having  the 
volutions  of  its  spire  a  little  more  convex,  and  more  drawn  out,  as  it  were, 
so  as  to  give  decidedly  greater  obliquity  to  the  suture.  It  seems  to  be  even 
more  nearly  allied  to  some  of  the  more  slender  forms  regarded  by  Mr.  Binney 
as  varieties  of  L,  humilis  of  Say;  though  it  is  a  decidedly  more  attenuated, 
less  compact  shell  than  that  represented  by  Mr.  Binney's  figure  of  L,  humiliSj 
given  on  p.  63  of  his  *^Land  and  Fresh- Water  Shells",  published  by  the 
Smithsonian  Institution.  There  is  scarcely  any  probabiHty,  however,  that 
our  shell  is  identical  with  any  of  the  existing  species. 

Locality  and  position. — Same  as  last,    Colonel  Simpson's  collection,  in  the 
Museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

LiMN^A  (PoLYRHYTis)  KiNaii,  Meek. 

Shell  ovate;  spire  short;  volutions  about  four,  convex,  rapidly  increas- 
ing  in  size,  last  one  very  large  and  ventricose;  suture 
well  defined;  aperture  large,  subovate;  columella  appar- 
ently with  a  moderately  well-developed  fold;  surface 
ornamented  by  regular,  distinct,  vertical  costae,  that  are 
strongly  defined  on  the  body- volution,  but  more  obscure 
or  nearly  obsolete  on  the  spire. 

Limn(Ba  Kinffii.  Length,  0.73  inch;  breadth,  about  0.43  inch. 

Fig  G.  A  side-view,  with  rpj^j^  .^^  j^  remarkable  for  having  its  surface 

.  outer  lip  restored.  ^  ^ 

Fig.  7.  A  slightly  4ifft^rent  ornamented    by    very    regular,   vertical   costse,    quite 
8ame(na  .size),  g^j.Qjjg|y  Refined  on  its  body-volution.     This  character 

will  readily  distinguish  it  from  any  other  species,  either  recent  or  fossil, 
known  to  me,  and,  with  its  other  characters,  forbid  its  reference  to  any  of 
the  established. subgenera.     In  the  possession  of  ribs^  it  agrees  with  Pleu- 


UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  193 

rolimncea,  but  it  diflFers  extremely  in  form  from  that  type.    I  have  therefore 
proposed  for  its  reception  a  new  subgenus  under  the  name  Polyrhytis* 

I  have  seen  but  a  single  specimen  of  this  shell,  consisting  of  a  well-defined 
mould,  from  which  a  gutta-percha  cast  has  been  taken,  and  from  this  the 
figures  and  description  were  prepared.  The  specific  name  is  given  in  honor 
of  Clarence  King,  esq.,  the  Geologist-in-charge  of  the  Survey  of  the  Fortieth 
Parallel. 

Locality  and  position. — Cache  Valley,  Utah;  Tertiary,  probably  of 
Miocene  age. 

CEEIPHASIID^. 

Genus  GONIOBASIS,  Lea. 
GoNiOBASis  SiMPSONi,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  figs.  7,  7  a,  7  5,  7  c,  and  7  df. 

Melania  Simpsonij  Meek  (1860)^  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XII,  313. 
Ooniobasis  f  ISimpsoni^  Meek  (1866),  in  Conrad's  Smithsonian  Gbeck-List,  12 ;  and  (1876) 

in  Col.  Simpson's  Keport  Expl.  across  the  Great  Basin  of  Utah,  365,  pi.  v,  figs. 

1  a  to  1  e. 

Shell  attaining  nearly  a  medium  size,  elongate-conical ;  spire  gradually 
tapering  apparently  to  an  acute  apex,  which  is  not  eroded ;  volutions  eight 
or  nine,  flattened  or  more  or  less  convex,  increasing  gradually  and  regu- 
larly in  size ;  last  one  rounded  below ;  suture  generally  linear,  and  some- 
times presenting  a  very  slightly  banded  appearance,  or  becoming  deeper  as 
the  volutions  assume  a  more  convex  outline.  Surface  ornamented  with 
more  or  less  distinct,  regular  little  vertical,  or  slightly  arched  costse,  which 
are  crossed  by  small,  often  obscure,  revolving,  raised  lines,  usually  largest 
and  most  widely  separated  on  the  lower  half  of  the  body- volution ;  costse 
sometimes  assuming  a  very  faintly  nodose  appearance  around  the  middle 
of  the  volutions.  Aperture  rhombic-subovate,  and  a  little  oblique,  slightly 
sinuous  at  the  base  of  the  columella ;  outer  lip  somewhat  sinuous  above, 
and  moderately  prominent  below. 

Length  of  a  mature  specimen,  0.78  inch;  breadth,  about  0.30  inch; 

*  This  subgenus  be«ars  the  same  relations  to  Limncua  proper,  that  Costella,  Dull, 
bears  to  the  typical  forms  of  Physa.   It  was  first  proposed  by  the  writer  in  the  Palseont. 
Upper  Mo.,  532, 1876. 
13  PR 


194  PAL^OI^TOLOGY. 

angle  of  spire  nearly  or  quite  regular,  divergence  somewhat  variable,  but 
usually  about  26^. 

This  species  seems  to  be  very  variable,  particular^  in  its  ornamenta- 
tion. On  some  specimens,  both  the  costae  and  the  revolving  lines  are  quite 
distinct,  while,  in  others,  one  or  the  other,  or  both,  become  more  obscure,  or 
nearly  obsolete.  Sometimes  the  costae  are  rather  closely  arranged,  and  in 
other  specimens  they  are  proportionally  a  little  larger  and  more  widely 
separated.  Occasionally  they  are  somewhat  more  prominent,  or  even  assume 
a  minutely  nodular  appearance,  around  the  middle  of  the  volutions  of  the 
spire  and  above  the  middle  of  the  last  turn  (see  fig.  T*d),  Where  the  costae 
fade  away,  they  sometimes,  especially  on  the  body- volution,  merely  pass 
into  coarse,  irregular  lines  of  growth.  The  volutiolis  also  vary  in  their 
convexity,  being  sometimes  flattened  on  a  line  with  the  slope  of  the  spire, 
so  as  to  show  a  merely  linear  suture  (see  fig.  7  a),  and,  in  other  examples, 
they  are  more  convex.  In  one  specimen  in  the  collection,  the  volutions  are 
decidedly  convex.  This  specimen  also  has  the  revolving  lines  and  the 
costae  very  nearly  obsolete,  though  small,  obscure,  closely -arranged  costae 
are  seen  near  the  upper  part  of  the  sjiire,  and  the  rather  strong  lines  of 
growth  on  the  body- volution  show  a  tendency  to  gather  into  a  few  irregular 
folds,  or  costae.     (See  fig.  7  t\) 

There  are  also  in  the  various  Tertiary  beds  of  Wyoming  forms  more 
or  less  nearly  like  this,  ranging  through  a  great  thickness  of  strata,  and 
varying  so  much  as  to  be  with  great  difficulty  separated  from  each  other. 
In  regard  to  their  exact  relations  to  the  shell  here  figured,  and  to  each 
other,  as  well  as  to  two  species  figured  by  Professor  Hall  in  Fremont's 
report,  and  one  by  Mr.  Conrad  in  the  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  from 
this  region,  I  have  not  been  able  to  arrive  at  any  very  satisfactory  con- 
clusion. Oar  specimens,  however,  certainly  look  very  unlike  Professor 
Hall's  figures  of  the  species  described  by  him. 

This  species  resembles  more  or  less  nearly  several  of  the  existing 
western  fonns;  but,  after  careful  comparisons,  I  have  been  unable  to 
identify  it  with  any  of  them.  Its  specific  name  was  given  in  honor  of 
CoL  J.  H.  Simpson,  of  the  United  States  Topographical  Corps,  who  brought 
the  typical  specimens  from  the  Far  West. 


UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  195 

Locality  and  position. — Ham^s  Fork,  near  Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming  Ter- 
ritory, from  the  Bridger  group  Tertiary ;  Colonel  Simpson's  collections,  in 
the  Museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

MELANIID^. 
Genus  MELANIA,  Auct. 
Melania!  sculptelis,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  fig.  8. 

Melania  (Ooniobasis  f)  sculptilisj  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  58. 
Compare  Melania  Taylori,  Gabb  (1869),  Palaeont.  Calif  or  Dia,  II,  13,  pi.  2,  fig.  21. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  conoid-subovate ;  spire  more  or  less  elongate- 
conical,  with  convex  slopes,  the  apical  angle  being  greater  in  the  young 
than  in  the  adult,  not  eroded  at  the  apex ;  volutions  six  to  seven,  rather  dis- 
tinctly convex ;  suture  strongly  channeled ;  aperture  ovate,  a  little  oblique, 
rather  narrowly  rounded  below;  lip  sharp,  most  prominent  below  the 
middle,  and  slightly  sinuous  at  the  lower  inner  side.  Surface  elegantly 
ornamented  by  numerous,  very  regularly  disposed,  slightly  flexuous  or  sig- 
moid, vertical  costse,*  which  are  crossed  by  equally  distinct  and  regular 
spiral  ridges,  about  four  of  which  may  be  counted  on  each  volution  of  the 
spire  (excepting  those  near  the  apex,  which  are  smooth),  and  eight  to  ten 
on  the  last  turn,  on  the  under  half  of  which  they  are  most  strongly  defined ; 
minute  lines  of  growth  may  also  be  seen  by  the  aid  of  a  magnifier;  costse 
slightly  nodulous  at  the  points  where  they  are  crossed  by  the  little  revolv- 
ing ridges. 

Length,  0.62  inch;  breadth,  0.27  inch. 

This  is  a  neat  species,  remarkable  for  its  sharply-defined  and  very  regular 
cancellated  style  of  sculpturing.  The  vertical  costae  are  equally  well  defined 
on  all  the  volutions,  excepting  those  near  the  apex,  and  on  the  under  side 
of  the  last  one ;  while  the  revolving  lines,  or  ridges,  become  a  little  more 
distinct  on  the  lower  part  of  the  body-turn.  Although  there  are  nearly 
always  four  of  these  revolving  ridges  on  the  volutions  above  the  last  one, 
in  a  few  examples  as  many  as  six  may  be  counted  on  these  turns ;  but  this 
is  due  to  the  intercalation  of  a  smaller  one  between  two  of  the  others,  and 

*  These  are  represented  too  straight  on  the  figure. 


196  PALEONTOLOGY. 

the  exposure  of  another  above  the  suture  that  is  usually  hidden  beneath  it 
by  each  succeeding  turn. 

Among  the  existing  American  species,  this  seems  to  be  most  nearly 
represented  by  G.  Alhanyensis^  Lea.  Mr.  Tryon,  to  whom  I  sent  a  specimen 
of  it,  thinks  it  resembles  some  Asiatic  species  of  Melania^  and  that  it  may 
possibly  belong  to  that  genus,  and  not  to  Goniohasis.  • 

Since  publishing  a  description  of  this  shell  under  the  name  Melania 
(Goniobasis?)  sculptilis,  I  have  been  led  to  suspect  that  it  may  not  be  distinct 
from  Melania  Taylori  of  Gabb,  described  in  the  California  Report  from  the 
same  region.  Mr.  Gabb's  type  seems  to  be  much  more  slender  and 
elongated,  however,  especially  if  his  restored  outhne  of  the  wanting  part  of 
its  spire  is  nearly  correctly  drawn.  Still,  our  types  may  be  only  young 
specimens  of  the  same,  as  they  are  much  smaller.  I  remember  that  there 
were  with  them  a  few  larger  casts  and  imperfect  specimens  from  the  same 
locality,  so  coated  over  with  a  calcareous  deposit  that  their  characters  could 
not  be  made  out.  These  agree  more  nearly  in  size  and  form  with  Mr. 
Gabb's  type. 

Locality  and  position, — Kaw-soh  Mountains,  Nevada ;  Tertiary. 

Melania  f  subsculptilis,  Meek. 

Plate  17,  fig.  9. 
Melania  [Qoniobasis  f)  subsoulptUiSy  Meek  (1870),  Proceed.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad>,  68. 

Shell  apparently  less  than  a  medium  size ;  spire  conical,  with  convex 
slopes ;  apex  pointed,  not  eroded ;  volutions  about  seven  and  a  half,  flat- 
tened-convex ;  suture  channeled ;  aperture  ovate,  slightly  oblique,  rather 
abruptly  rounded  below ;  margin  of  lip  most  prominent  below  the  middle, 
and  faintly  sinuous  on  the  lower  inner  side.  Surface  ornamented  by  small, 
regular,  slightly  sigmoid,  vertical  costae,  with  an  obscure  revolving  ridge 
just  below,  and  a  slight  angle  above  the  suture,  to  which  prominences  the 
costse  impart  a  somewhat  crenated  appearance ;  last  turn  marked  with  a  few 
distinct,  revolving,  raised  lines,  strongest  on  the  lower  half. 

Length,  0.43  inch;  breadth,  0.19  inch;  length  of  aperture,  0.14  inch; 
breadth  of  same,  0.10  inch. 

This  form  differs  from  the  last  by  its  smaller  and  more  crowded  costse, 


UNDOUBTED  TERTIARY  SPECIES.  tdl 

less  convex  whorls,  and  the  absence  of  revolvmg  ridges,  or  lines,  excepting 
on  the  body-volution,  arid  the  one  just  below  and  above  the  suture.  As 
in  that  foiin,  its  apical  whorls  are  smooth.  The  only  good  specimen  of  it 
in  the  collection  is  smaller  than  the  average  size  of  those  of  the  last,  and 
probably  a  young  shell.  I  am  now  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  most  probably 
only  a  variety  of  that- shell ;  but  it  may  be  distinct. 
Locality  and  position.'- Same  as  last. 


PL^TE    I. 

Page. 
Fig,  1.  Ophileta  complanata,  rar.  nana : *  17 

1.  Au  upper  view  of  a  specimen,  natural  size,  as  seen  lying  iu  the  matrix. 
1  a.  The  same,  enlarged. 

1  h.  Profile  view,  enlarged. 

Fig.  2.  Raphirtoma!  kotcliformis 18 

2.  View  of  upper  side,  natural  size. 

2  a.  Profile  view  of  same. 

2  6.   Under  side  of  same,  magnified.    [In  the  specimen,  the  umbilicus  is  filled  with  rock, 

though  its  subangular  margins  are  exposed.] 

Fig.  3,  Kaphistoma?  trochiscus , jg 

3.  Upper  side,  natural  size. 

3  a.  Profile. 

3  6.  Under  side,  enlarged.  [The  uuibilicus  is  filled  with  rock  iu  the  specimen,  but  its 
margin  is  clearly  seen.] 

Fig.  4.  CONOCORYPHE  KiNGii.   Upper  view,  natural  size 20 

[The  specimen  is  accidentally  compressed  so  as  to  spread  cut  the  posterior  extremities  of 
the  cephalic  shield  more  than  is  natural.  Broken  edges  of  the  crust  are  also  in 
the  figure  wrongly  made  to  look  like  small  nodes  at  the  ends  of  the  segments  of 
the  mesial  lobe.] 

Fig.  5.  Paradoxides  T  Nevadensis.    Shows  upper  side  of  a  part  of  thorax  and  pygidium 23 

Fig.  6.  Favosites  (undt.  sp.) 27 

Fig.  7.  Atrypa  reticularis 38 

7.  Dorsal  view. 

7  a.  Side  view. 

Fig.  8.  Edmondia?  Pinonensis 46 

8.  Side  view  of  a  large  specimen,  natural  size. 

8  a.  Opposite  view  of  a  smaller  specimen. 

Fig.  9.  Spirifer  Pinonensis 45 

9.  Dorsal  view,  natural  size. 

9  a.  Profile  view  of  same. 

9  h.  Ventral  view  of  same. 

Fig.  10.  ProetijS  denticulatus 49 

10.  The  glabella  embedded  in  the  matrix  (enlarged  two  diameters). 

10  tt.  Pygidium,  enlarged  two  diameters. 

10  i».  One  of  the  thoracic  segments  seen  iu  profile  (enlarged  two  diameters). 

Fig.  11,    DALMANITE.S    (uudt.  Sp.) 48 

11.  A  mouldof  the  pygidiuuj. 

11  a.  Another  specimen  of  same. 


Yxi'i.  40Pai-nl]eI 


Silurian  and  Devonian 


1   a.. 


2    a. 


2.  h. 


.r<^i^iMe0^^es^^ 


fliriiiiiiiia.;.'; ,  aJJ^jPII'  '-fe 


[\    :x 


P»L^TE    II. 

Page. 
Fig.  1.   PTYCHOPII YLLUM  INFUNDIBUIXM *. 23 

1.     A  loDgitudinal  section,  showing  the  depth  of  the  calice,  with  the  unfundihuliform 

plates,  and  appareuces  of  a  columella. 
1  a.  Ad  upper  view  of  another  specimen. 
1  5,   A  side  view  of  a  third  specimen. 

Fig.  2.  Cyathopiiyixum  Palmeri 33 

View  of  upper  side,  showing  the  young  corallites  at  jjlaces  growing  in  the  middle  of  the 
calices  of  the  old. 

Fig.  3.  FaVOSITES  POLYMOliPHA  !  ? 27 

Fig.  4.  DlPHYPHYLLUM  FASCICHLUM 29 

4.  A  side  view  of  a  bundle  of  the  corallites,  imperfect  at  both  ends,  and  showing  them 

to  coalesce  at  intervals. 
4  a.  A  longitudinal  section  of  one  of  same,  enlarged,  showing  the  wide  inner  area  occupied 
by  broad,  slightly  arching  tabulsB  (without  any  traces  of  a  columella),  and  the 
.  very  narrow,  outer  vesicular  area. 

4  b.  A  transverse  section  of  same,  enlarged. 

Fig.  5.   ACERVULARIA  PENTAGONA 31 

5.  View  of  upper  side,  showing  corallites,  natural  size. 

5  fli.  A  transverse  section  of  a  few  of  the  corallites,  enlarged. 

Fig.  6.  .Smithia  Hennahii 32 

6.  View  of  surface,  showing  corallites,  natural  size. 
G  a.  Transverse  section  of  same,  enlarged. 

Fig.  T.  Alveolites  MULTiLAMEixA ..        25 

7.  View  of  a  flat,  vertical,  weathered  section. 

7  a.  A  portion  of  same,  polished  and  magnified,  so  as  to  show  the  num<  roue,  thin,  crowded 
tabula),  and  the  mural  pores;  the  latter  being  seen  through  the  transparent 
calcareous  matter  filling  the  interior. 

7h.  A  transverse  section  of  the  same,  showing  the  forms  of  the  corallites,  magnified. 

Fig.  8.  Orthoceras  KiNGii 47 

Fig.  9.  Orthoceras  (undt.  sp.) 48 


IT.  ':x  'o-(^LExDl.40PaT-all^^l 


Devonian 


Plate  II 


/  :^r^^-, 


-:-^*«l.i.,.>fe 


1  a. 


MW  J'^llioU.  aei 


J  , iiieri  \'K\\ . 


PLA.TEIII. 

Fi^.    1.  Spirifeu  Utahensis 39 

1.  All  an tero- ventral  view,  natural  size. 
1  a.  Dorsal  view  of  same  specimen. 

1  h,  A  side  view  of  a  smaller  specimen. 

1  c.  A  cardinal  view  of  another  specimen,  showing  area  and  foramen. 

1  d.  Cardinal  view  of  tbo  ventral  valve  of  the  largest  specimen  seen. 

I  €.  An  antero-ventral  view  of  same. 

Fig.   2.  Hemipkonites  Chemung ensis,  var.  arctostriata 35 

2.  View  of  ventral  valve,  with  an  oblique  view  of  area. 

Fig.    3.  Spiriper  Engelmanni ^^ 

3.  A  cardinal  view,  showing  area  and  foramen. 
3  a.  A  side  view  of  same. 

3  6.  Dorsal  view  of  same. 

3  0.   An  antero-ventral  view.  , 

3  rf.  A  ventral  view  of  another  specimen  apparently  of  this  species. 

3  e.   Dorsal  view  of  last. 

Fig.   4.  Spirifer  ARGENTARIU8 42 

4.  A  ventral  view. 

4  a.  Cardinal  view  of  same  specimen,  showing  its  low,  strongly  incnrvtd  area,  foramen, 

etc. 

4  5.  A  dorsal  view  of  same. 

Fig.  5.  Spirifer  strigosus 43 

5.  View  of  ventral  valve. 

5  a.  View  of  dorsal  valve. 
5  b.  Profile  view  of  same. 

Fig.  G.  Atrypa  reticularis ^ 33 

G.     Ventral  view. 

Ga.  Dorsal  view  of  another  specimen  with  finer  strife. 

Fig.  7.  PRODUCTUS  subaculeatus  ? _ 3r, 

7.  Ventral  view. 

7  a.  Ventral  view  of  another  more  elongated  specimen. 

7  6.   A  cast  of  the  exterior  of  a  dorsal  valve  of  same. 

Fig.    8.  POSIDONOMYA  ?  FilAGOSA , 92 

8.  A  left  valve,  flattened  by  pressure  between  the  laminae  of  shale,  with  the  edges 

abont  tlie  beak  incomplete. 

8  a.  A  smaller  right  valve  flattened  in  the  same  way,  and  showing  indications  of  a  small 

anterior  ear-like  projeotion. 

Fig.    9.  Leiorhynchus  ?  quadricostatus 79 

9.  An  internal  cast  of  a  ventral  valve,  flattened  by  pressure. 

9  a-b.  Internal  casts  of  two  dorsal  valves,  somewhat  compressed. 

Fig.  10.  AVICULOPECTEN  CATACTU8 93 

10.  A  left  valve,  somewhat  enlarged. 

10  a.  Another  left  valve,  natural  size. 

10  fe.  Aright  valve,  apparently  of  this  species,  enlarged  about  two  diameters ;  much  of 
its  palUal  margin  being  broken  away. 

Fig.  11.  Bpirifer  (Syringothyris)  cuspidatus 87 

11.  A  cardinal  view,  showing  the  high  area  and  foramen,  and,  within  the  latter,  the 

transverse  septum  and  internal  tube. 

II  a.  An  anterior  view  of  same. 


■I.'FIxjjI.  4D?a:'allel 


Devonian 


111, 


j.Biari  hth. 


Page. 

B^ig.  1.  Zaphrentis  excbntkica **'^ 

1.      An  oblique  upper  view,  showing  the  excentric  calice,  with  its  margins  broken  away. 

1  a.  A  longitudinal  section  of  same,  mainly  as  exposed  by  fracture,  showing  the  very 
broad  tabulae  (<) ;  and  at  (v)  the  large  vesicular  space  on  the  ventral  side.  The 
points  marked  («,  «,  a)  show  the  lateral  surfaces  of  the  septa,  which  are  marked 
with  curved  stria ;  while  the  points  {g,  g,  g,  g)  show  the  surfaces  of  the  septa 
ground  smooth ;  (0  is  the  fossula. 

1  6.  A  dorsal  view  of  the  coral  as  seen  with  the  epitheca  worn  or  weathered  oflf,  so  as  to 
show  the  edges  ot  the  septa  divaricating  along  the  middle  of  the  dorsal  side. 

1  c.  A  side  view  of  same  specimen, 

1  d.  A  transverse  section  of  same,  nearly  at  the  middle. 


..,.T   Fv-T,!   40 


X\iL  4'  )  rar?;!..-:^;! 


Carboniferous 


Plate  K 


J.hien  hui. 


PLATE    V. 

Page. 
Fig,  1.  Zaphrentis  ?  (uudt.  sp. ) 58 

1.  A  side  view  of  a  portion  of  tlio  corallnm,  natural  size. 

Fig.  2.  Campophyllum  (nndt.  sp.) 57 

2.  A  side  view  of  a  \Teatbered  specimeu,  showing  the  edges  of  tlio  septa  (slightly  too 

wide  apart),  and  the  crowded,  complex  vesicnhir  structure  between  Iheni. 
2  rt.  A  longitudinal  section  of  tho  same,  i-howing  the  very  broad  tabulsB,  surrounded  by  a 
narrow  vesicular  zone. 

2  J).  A  transverse  section  of  same,  showirg  the  dissepiments  to  bo  (at  some  places)  much 

nioro  crowded  between  the  septa  in  the  vesicular  zone  than  would  be  indicated  by 
the  longitudinal  section. 

Fig.  3.  C YA  rHOPUYLLUM  (Campophyllum  ?)  Nevadense CO 

3.  A  much-weatheri  d  specimen  (side  view)  showing  tho  edges  of  the  septa  and  dissepi- 

ments, with  an  oblique  view  of  the  calice  filled  with  hard  calcareous  matter. 

3  a.  A  vertical  section  of  a  part  of  the  same  specimen,  showing  the  tabuljB  and  vesicular 

dissepiments  represented  by  dark^ines,  as  far  as  they  can  be  made  out.  The  dark 
space  above  shows  the  very  deep  calice  (with  a  nearly  flat  bottom)  tilled  with 
dark  calcareous  matter. 

3  &.  Is  a  transverse  section  at  near  the  middle  of  the  crralUun. 

Fig.  4.  Cyathophyllum  subc^spitqsum CO 

4.  A  specimen  consisting  of  several  corallites  lying  together  in  the  matrix,  with  the 

epithcca  mainly  removed  by  weathering. 

4  ci.  A  transverse  section  of  one  of  the  same. 
4  6.   A  longitudinal  section  of  a  part  of  same. 


U.  ;■:.  G-cl/Exi)l  40?Grail^^l 


'.arboiufercDUS 


ridt.,;  v: 


iM^^''iii 


ii.'vrKi]: 


V 


PL^TE    VI. 


Page. 

58 


V\S'  1-  LlTHOSTUOTIO?^    WlIITNKYI 

1.  A  view  of  a  ninss  of  limestone  iiiclnding  several  of  the  corallites,  natural  size. 

1  a.  Another  view  of  same,  allowing  tlio  encls  and  calices  of  the  corallites. 

1  &.  A  transverse  section  of  one  of  the  same,  somewhat  eulurged. 

1  c.  A  long  tudinal  section  of  same. 

Fig  2.  Syuingopora  (nndt.  sp.) ^^ 

'2.      A  side  view  of  a  fragment  of  the  corallnm. 

2  a.   Another  view  of  same  specimen,  showing  the  ends  cf  the  corallites. 

Fig.  3,  Zapiihentis  Stansblryi -• ^'^ 

:].      A  side  view  of  an  imperfect  specin^cn,  with  the  edges  of  th€  calico  and  the  lower 
extremity  broken  away. 

3  a.   An  upper  view  of  same,  showing  the  septa,  "with  the  n  mnining  portion  of  the  calice 

iilled  with  rock. 
3  ft.    A  transverse  section  of  the  corallum  below  the  middle. 

3  c.  A  longitudinal  section  of  the  upper  part  of  the  same,  showing  the  complex  tabnlse 

and  outer  vesicular  zone,  the  form  of  the  broad  bottom  of  tbo  calice,  etc. 

Fig.  4.   Z APHKEKTIS  ?    (CLISIOPH YLLUM  ?)    MULTILAMELLOSA 53 

4.      A  dorsal  view  of  a  specimen  denuded  of  its  epitheca,  and  showing  the  divaricating 
arrangement  of  the  septa. 

4  a.  A  view  of  the  calice  of  same,  with  its  margins  broken*  away  and  its  bottom  filled 

with  rock. 
4  h,  A  longitudinal  broken  section  of  same,  showing  imperfectly  t-ho  internal  structure, 
with  the  fossula  on  the  right. 


G-^^-i.ExiJ.  ^'^■""iParall^V: 


Carboiufercus 


■H^^/.  Elliott  del 


FLi^TE    VII. 

Page. 
Fig.  1.  Orthis  Michelini  var.  Nevadensis ^^ 

1.  A  8i(le  view  of  a  larj^e  specimen.      [Beak  of  ventral  valve  not  quite   arched  enough, 

and  the  height  of  the  area  of  the  dorsal  valve  not  well  shown,  in  this  figure.] 
1  a.  A  dorsal  view  of  same.    [Figure  makes  the  cardinal  area  look  too  wide.] 
1  &.  A  side  view  of  a  smaller  specimen. 
1  c.   A  ventral  view  of  same,     [Posterior  lateral  striae  too  straight  in  this  figure  and  1  a.] 

Fig.  2.  Hemipronites  crenistria "-* 

2.  A  ventral  view  of  an  accidentally  distorted  specimen. 

Fig.  3.  PnODUCTUS  SUBHORRIDU8 '^^ 

3.  A  side  view. 

3a.  A  front  view  of  another  specimen. 

3  ft.  A  ventro-anterior  view  of  another  example. 

Fig.  4.  Pkoductus  costatus?? 

4  An  anterior  view  ;  the  shell  heing  turned  so  as  to  show  the  irregularity  of  the  costse 

on  the  anterior  slope. 
4  a.  A  side  view. 
4  6.  A  ventral  view. 

Fig.  5.  Pkoductus  semireticulatus 

5.  View  of  ventral  valve. 

Fig.  6.  Pkoductus  Ivesi! 

6.  An  oblique  side  view  of  a  large  specimen  distorted  by  pressure. 

(Ja.  A  ventral  view  of  another  specimen,  with  its  ears  and  margins  broken  away. 

G  b.  An  external  cast  of  the  dorsal  valve,  with  some  portions  of  the  shell  remaining  near 
the  cardinal  margin,  showing  the  thick  marginal  ridge,  and  a  part  of  the  cardinal 
process,  with  the  small  mesial  ridge,  which  latter  is  divided  near  the  cardinal  pro- 
cess, as  in  P.  8cdbrtculu8. 

7*2 

Fig.  7.  Pkoductus  Prattenianus 

7.  A  ventral  view  of  an    imperfect  specimen,  with  the  ears  and  free  margins  broken 

away. 

7  a.  A  side  view  of  another  imperfect  specimen. 

Fig.  8.   PrODUCTUS  SEMISTRIATUS '^ 

8.  An  an tero- ventral  view. 

8  a.  A  side  view  of  same. 


Geo], '5x1.1.  40 1'arall-l 


narboiufeTH}us 


j.i:5ieii  iim. 


vV 


.-V^> 


Pngo. 
Fig.  1.  Spirifehina  pulciira 85 

1.  Dorsal  view  of  the  original  typictil  speciraen. 
la.  Veutrul  view  of  same. 

1  h.  An  ontlino  profile  of  same. 

1  c.  An  internal  cast  of  the  ventral  valve,  showing  the  slit  left  hy  the  rostral  septum. 

Id.  A  dorsal  view  of  another  very  gibhous  specimen. 

1  c.  An  ontline  profile  of  same.  "" 

Fig.  2.  Productus  Nevadrnsis C4 

2.  Ventral  view  of  a  specimen,  with  the  ears  broken  away. 

2  a.  Cast  of  the  exterior  of  a  ventral  valve  of  same  species, 

2  b.  Ventral   aspect  of  another  specimen,  turned  so  as  t  o  give  a  more  direct  view  than 

fig.  2. 
2  c.  Internal  cast  of  ventral  valve. 

2  (f.  A  side  view  of  same. 

2f.  A  longitudinal  section  of  a  specimen  with  the  valves  united. 

Fig.  3.   PJJODI'CTUS  MULTISTRIATU8 76 

3.  Ventral  view  of  a  rather  large  specimen,  with  the  free  margins  broken  away. 

3  a.  Side  view  of  same. 

3&.  Ventral  view  of  a  smaller  specimen,  with  one  ear  and  much  of  the  margins  broken 

away. 
3  c.  Dorsal  view  of  last. 
3d.  Side  view  of  same. 

3  6".  Internal  view  of  a  dorsal  valve,  too  much  worn  to  show  internal  markings,  but 

showing  the  very  abrupt  geuiculation  of  the  anterior  and  lateral  margins  around 
the  flattened  visceral  region. 

Fig.  4.  Productus  longispinus 78 

4.  A  side  view. 

4  a.  Ventral  view,  with  ears  partly  broken  away. 

Fig.  5.  Spiriferixa  (undt.  sp.) 84 

5.  Dorsal  view  of  a  specimen,  with  lateral  extremities  imperfect. 
^)a.  Antero- ventral  aspect  of  same. 

f)  b,  A  side  view  of  same. 

Fig.  6,  AniYUis  subtilita 83 

().     Dorsal  view. 

(J  a.  An  outline  profile  of  same. 


n.  S.  GRnl.bq)].40rarallhl 


CarlDomferous 


piute  "vm. 


H.Y^  Elllou  del 


J.Bieri  htli. 


I>LA.TE    IX. 

Page. 
Fig.  1.  Spirifbr  scobina , 90 

1.  Dorsal  yiew  of  a  mature  specimeu,  with  the  granules  of  the  surface  worn  off. 
1  a.  Side  view  of  same. 

1  h.  Ventral  view  of  same. 

1  c.  A  portion  of  the  granular  surface  magnified. 

Idf.  A  cardinal  view  of  a  ventral  valve,  showing  area  and  foramen. 

Fig.  2.  SpmiPEE    CAMERATU8? 91 

2.  Ventral  view  of  an  imperfect  specimen. 

2  a,  Side  view  of  same. 

Fig.  3.  Athymis  Roissyi 82 

3.  A  side  view  of  a  large  specimen  accidentally  compressed. 

3  a.  Ventral  view  of  same. 

3  6.  Dorsal  view  of  same. 

Fig.  4.  ATHYKIS?  PERSmUATA ^ 81 

4.  An  antero- ventral  view,  showing  the  profound  sinus  of  the  front. 

4  a.  A  dorsal  view  of  same ;  a  part  of  the  shell  being  removed  so  as  to  show  the 

mnsoular  scars. 

4  h.  Side  view  of  same,  with  heak  and  contiguous  parts  broken  away. 

Fig.  5.  GOKIATITKS  aONIOLOBUS-. - 98 

5.  A  profile  view  of  an  internal  cast,  with  the  body-chamber  broken  away. 

5  a.  Side  view  of  same. 

5  h.  Diagram  of  lobes  and  sinuses  of  one  of  the  septa,  natural  size. 

Fig.6.  Spirifbr  OPiMus?.  A  ventral  view 88 

Fig.  7.  Ayiculopectbn  Utahensis 95 

7.     A  left  f  valve,  natural  size. 

7  «,  A  portion  of  the  surface  of  same,  magnified  to  show  the  minute,  crowded,  concentric 

strisB. 
7  d.  A  mould  of  a  larger  individual  in  the  rock. 
7  0.  A  mould  of  a  small  right  valve  of  apparently  the  same. 
7  ^.  A  cast  of  another  specimen  of  same,  differing  a  little  in  form. 


Page. 
Fig.  1.  MODIOMORFHA?  OVATA 103 

1.     Right  valve ;  the  specimen  being  a  cast  of  the  outside. 
la.  A  profile  to  show  the  convexity  of  same. 

Fig.  2.  MoDiOMOKPHA  f  J.ATA.    A^  external  cast  of  a  left  valve 10.3 

Fig.3.  DisciNA  (undt.  sp.)    ....- , 98 

3.  Uuder  yalye. 

3  a.  Same,  enlarged  two  diameters,  anxl  showing  more  nearly  the  proper  proportions. 

Fig.  4.  SPiiiERA  WpiT^Eyf ...^.      J02 

4.  \  left  valve  of  a  sjiiaU  specimen. 

4  a.  An  outline  to  show  the  convjexity  of  saaws. 
4  6.  A  right  valve  of  a  larger  specimen, 

4  c.  A  largo  individual  apparently  of  the  same  species. 

Fig.  5.  Halohia  LoMAf ei,!.    A  slab  of  rock,  with  several  imperfect  valves,  all  being  casts  of  th^ 

exterior.., 10(0 

Fig.  6.  Arcestes  Gabbi ^ 121 

0.     A  cast  of  the  interior,  side  view. 

6  a.  Profile  view  of  same. 

()  &.  An  outline  showing  the  lobes  and  sinuses  of  one  of  the  septa  from  the  umbilicus  to 
the  siphonal  lobe;  taken  from  Mr.  Gabb^s  figure  in  the  Cafifornia  Geological 
Report. 

Fig.  7.  Clidonites  i^^vidorsatus ,....      109 

7.  A  side  view  of  the  largest  specimen  in  the  collection. 

7  a.  Profile  of  a  smaller  specimen  of  same. 

Fig.  8,  EuTOMOCEKAS  Laubei ,^ ....^ , 126 

8.  A  side  view  of  an  imperfect  specimen, 
6  a.  Profile  of  the  same. 

Fig.  9.  Gymnotockjras  rotelliformb .---rr 111 

9.  Side  view  of  an  incomplete  specimen. 

9  a.  Profile  of  same. 

Fig.  10.  Gymnotoceras  Blakei  .^ •-.,, ^ 113 

10  Side  view  of  an  incomplete  specimen, 
10  a.  Profile  of  same. 

10  &.  A  smaller  specimen. 

10  c.  An  outline  of  the  lobes  and  sinuses,  taken  mainly  from  Mr.  Gabb^s  figure  in  the 
California  Geological  Report. 

Fig.  11.  Orthogeras  Blakei  t    Merely  fragments  of  a  cast,  showing  none  of  the  septa  —  , 104 


^1    '  r^vu  Yx^  1  ioPc^j.HpI 


TriHSc  L 


Plre  X. 


.  JLiilOtt,  dt-5 


Bien  .jitii. 


FLA.TE   XI. 

\  Page. 

Pig.  1.  TrACHYCEBAS  JUDICARICUM 118 

1*     A  peripheral  or  ventral  view  of  an  imperfect  specimen. 

1  a.  A  side  view  of  same. 

Fig.  2.  TrACHYCERAS  JUDICARICUM,  Var,  SUBASFKRUM .; 118 

2.  A  side  view  of  an  imperfect  specimen. 

2  a.  A  peripheral  or  abdominal  view  of  same. 

3  &.  A  view  of  the  lobes  and  sinuses  of  the  septa. 

Fig.  3.  Trachyceras  Whitneyi 116 

3.  A  peripheral  or  abdominal  view  of  an  imperfect  specimen. 

3  a.  Side  view  of  same. 

Fig.  4.  Eudiscoceras  Gabbi 128 

4.  Side  view  of  an  imperfect  specimen. 

4  a.  A  peripheral  or  abdominal  view  of  same. 

Fig.  5.  ACROCHORDISCERAS  HYATTI 124 

5.  Side  view  of  a  broken  and  somewhat  distorted  specimen. 

5  a.  A  side  view  of  a  larger  imperfect  specimen. 

Fig.  6.  Gymnotoceras  Blakei  .  - , 113 

6.  Side  view  of  a  nearly  complete  ad  alt  specimen  apparently  of  this  species. 

6  a.  A  peripheral  or  abdominal  view  of  same>  showing  the  remarkable  flattening  of 

the  periphery. 

Fig.  7.  ABCESTEst  pbrplanus • : 120 

7.  Side  view  of  a  cast,  showing  no  surface-markings. 

7  a.  A  profile  view,  showing  the  strongly-compressed  form  of  the  shell. 


U.S.  GeoIExpI,  40  Parallel 


Triasc:iC 


Kc^e  XI. 


K^l  Elliott  d^: 


J.Bien  kth. 


I'LA.TE    XII. 

Pago. 
^  Fig,  1.  CucuLL^A  Haguei.-.. ;_      134 

1.     Side  view,  magnified. 

1  a.  A  line  showing  the  natural  size  of  same. 

I  &.  An  outline  anterior  view»  to  show  the  convexity  of  the  shell,  natural  size. 

Fig.  5>.  Lima  (Limatula)  euecta.    A  single  valve,  natural  size 130 

Fig.  3.  MyophorialineataI.. 133 

3.  A  specimen  with  the  heak  broken  away,  natural  size. 

3  a.  The  same,  magnified. 

Fig.  4.  VOI^ELLA  SCALPRUM,  VUT.  ISONEMA •.* ,.. , 132 

4.  Side  view,  natural  size. 

4  a.  An  outline  to  show  convexity. 

Fig.  .5.  An  undetermined  bivalve  (internal  cast). 

Fig.  6.  Myacites  (Pleuromya)  subcomprbssa - J.. 130 

6.  Side  view. 

6  a.  An  outline  to  show  convexity. 

Fig.  7,  Beliiimnitks  Nevadensis ^ 138 

7.  An  imperfect  specimen,  with  the  lower  extremity  broken  away.    It  also  has  a  part 

of  one  side  broken  out,  so  as  to  show^  the  cast  of  the  internal  cavity  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  phragmocone. 

7  a.  Is  a  section  across  Ihe  upper  end,  showing  the  form  of  the  upper  part  of  the  internal 

cavity.. 

7  &.  An  outline  to  show  the  compressed  form  of  the  guard  near  it6  lower  end. 

Fig.  8.  Phragmocone  of  apparently  a  large  Belemuite 131) 

8  a.  Another  view  of  same,  with  a  part  of  one  .side  removed,  so  as  to  show  the  deeply 

arcuate  septa. 

8  &.  Another  fr^igment,  showing  the  marginal  siphuncle. 

Fig,  9.  Pinna  Kingii 131 

9.     A  side  view  of  an  imperfect  cast,  retaining  portions  of  the  shell. 

9  a.  Dorsal  view  of  same. 

Fig.  10.  Myacites  inconspicuus.    a  side  view,  magnified  two  diameters 137 

Fig.  11.  Myacites  (Pleuromya)  Weberensis 137 

11.  Side  view  of  a  specimen  with  the  posterior  end  broken  away. 

II  a.  Anterior  view  of  same. 

Fig,  12.  Spiripbrina  pulchra..^ .' ,.,. .        85 

12.  A  side  view  of  a  specimen,  with  the  extremities  and  beak  broken  away. 
12  a.  A  cardinal  view  of  same,  showing  area  and  foramen. 

12  ^.  An  anterior  view  of  saime. 

12  e.  A  dorsal  view  of  another  specimen,  with  imperfect  extremities. 

12  d,  A  nearly  complete  ventral  valve,  as  seen  embedded  in  the  matrix. 

Fig,  13.  AVICOLOPKCTEN  OCCIDANEUS 96 

13.  A  specimen  of  left  valve,  with  the  anterior  ear  broken  away,  natural  size. 

13  a.  Another  specimen  of  left  valve,  figure  enlarged  two  diameters. 

136.  Another  specimen,  apparently  of  left  valve,  with  posterior  ear  more  acute. 


U.  S.  Geol.Eziil.40Paranel 


Jurassic  and  Carboiiiferoiis 


Plate  m. 


J-iarass 


,ai'boTuJ ' 


11  Vv\r,:iiiru  •!«:. 


PLA.TE   XIII. 


Page. 
145 


Fig   1.  INOCBRAMUS  BRECTUS - ■ 

1.     A  side  view  of  an  internal  cast  of  both  valves,  somewhat  distorted. 

1  a.  Another  small  cast  of  a  left  valve. 

Fig.  2.  INOCERAMUSPROBLKMATICUS? 1^^ 

2  a.  Cast  of  a  light  valve. 

2  6.  A  part  of  an  internal  cast  of  a  form  with  a  more  pointed  beak  (partly  due  to  distor- 
tion), possibly  belonging  to  another  species. 

Fig.  3.  INOCERAMUS  SiMPSONi.    An  internal  cast  of  a  right  valve,  with  some  remaining  portions 
of  the  shell.     Portions  of  the  basal  and  posterior  dorsal  margins  being  broken 

142 

away • 

Fig.  4.  INOCBRAMUS  (itndt.  sp,),  side  view ^^^ 

4  a.  A  profile  outline  of  same. 


PL^TE   XIV. 


Page. 
148 


Fig.  1.  CUCULLJSA(TKIGOXARCA?)OIiLIQUA .---, 

1.  Internal  cast  of  a  left  valve. 
1  a.  Another  larger  one  of  same. 
1  &.  A  cast  of  right  valve  of  same. 

Fig.  2.  CoRBULA  (cast  in  sandstone) • ^^^ 

Fig.  3.  INOCERAMUS  KRECTUS.    An  anterior  view  of  an  internal  cast  of  the  two  valves  partly      145 
opened.    Their  lower  margins  are  distorted,  and  probably  were  originally  as 
broad  as  indicated  by  the  outlines  below. 

Fig.  4.  Inocbramus  deformis ^^^ 

4.     Cast  of  a  right  valve,  with  a  part  of  the  anterior  margin  and  beak  broken  away, 
4  a.  Another  view  of  same. 

Fig.  5.  Mactra  (Trigonella!  )  arenaria 1^ 

A  view  of  the  exterior  of  the  left  valve. 


IT.  S.  Geol.,Ex-pl.4C)?araI],^:;l 


u^etaceous 


Pl'ate  JTl 


ir,w;:F,iuou  ^m... 


J.Bien  Ml. 


Page. 
Fig.  1.  Gybodes  depressa 159 

1.  Upper  view  of  an  internal  cast. 

1  a.  Side  view  of  same. 

Fig.  2.  AnCHUKA?  FUSIPORMIS 160 

2.  External  cast  of  a  specimen  with  the  apex  of  the  spire  broken  away,  and  the  outline 

of  the  lip  not  clearly  seen. 

2  a.  A  smaller  specimen,  with  the  lip  and  the  extremity  of  the  canal  broken  away. 

Fig.  3.  Cardium  curtum 151 

Left  view  of  one  of  the  largest  specimens,  which  is  an  internal  cast. 

Fig.  3  a.*  Cardium  subcortum -• 152 

A  small  specimen,  right  side  view. 

Fig.  4.  Tellina  modesta.    Cast  of  left  valve 157 

Fig.  5.  Tellina  f  modesta.    Cast  of  a  larger  left  valve,  possibly  of  this  species 157 

Fig.  6.  Tellina!  isonema.    Left  view  of  a  cast  of  exterior 156 

Fig.  7.  Cyprimerl/iT  subalata.    Internal  oast  of  left  valve 158 

Fig.  8.  Mactra  1  Emmonsi.    Cast  of  outside  of  left  valve,  two  diameters 153 

Fig.  9.  Tellina  (Arcopagia)  ?  Utahensis — 155 

9.  Cast  of  right  valve- 

9  a^h.  Two  other  casts  of  right  valves,  differing  somewhat  in  form,  but  probably  belong- 

ing  to  the  same  species. 

Fig.  10.  OSTREA 140 

10.  Interior  of  an  upper  valve. 

10  a.  Outer  or  upper  side  of  same. 
10  K  Interior  of  an  under  valve. 
lOo.  Oatside  of  same. 


\ 


TJ,  S.  Geel.ErDl.  40 Parallel 


CretaceoLis 


Plate  ffl 


HW,  Elliott  d_el. 


Page. 
Fig.  1.  SpH^RiUMf  Idahobnsb 183 

1.  A  specimen  consisting  mainly  of  an  internal  cast^  with  some  portions  of  the  shell 

remaining. 
1 «.  An  outline  to  show  the  convexity  of  the  same. 

Fig.  2.  Sph^rium  rugosum 182 

2.  A  rather  small  specimen,  enlarged  two  diameters. 
2  a.  A  larger  specimen,  enlarged  two  diameters. 

2  6.  An  outline  to  show  convexity,  enlarged  two  diameters. 

Fig.  3.  Unio  Haydeni .,   184 

3.  View  of  left  valve. 

3  a.  Same  view  of  a  larger  specimen. 

3  &.  Internal  cast,  showing  an  impression  of  the  hinge. 

Fig.  4.  Unio  belliplicatus 166 

4.  Left  side  of  one  of  the  larger  specimens. 

4  a.  Right  view  of  a  smaller  individual  of  same. 

Fig.  5.  Unio  VETUSTUS 16 

5.  A  young  shell  flattened  by  pressure,  with  a  part  of  the  posterior  broken  away. 

(Original  type  of  the  species.) 

5  a,  A  large  specimen,  somewhat  twisted  over  by  oblique  pressure,  so  as  to  hide  the  beaks. 
5  &.  A  dorsal  view  of  same. 

5  c.  A  smaller  specimen  of  same. 

Fig.  6.  Cyrena  (Veloritina)  Durkeei 167 

6.  A  medium-sized  specimen. 

6  a.  An  anterior  view  of  same,  showing  its  unusually  deep  and  well-defined  Innule. 
6  ^.  A  larger  individual. 

6  0.  A  very  gibbous,  short  variety. 

6df.  A  dorsal  view  of  same,  showing  the  deep  posterior  dorsal  concavity. 

6  e.  A  separate  left  valve,  showing  hinge. 

6/.  A  small,  depressed  variety,  or  possibly  a  distinct  species. 

6g,  An  internal  cast,  showing  muscular  impression,  and  the  slightly  sinuous  pallial  line. 


U.  S,  Geol.ExpI  40 Parallel 


Cretaceous  and  Tertiary 


Plate  XVL 


FLA^TE    XVII. 

Paf<e. 
Fig.  1.  CORBUJ.A  Engelm\nm 174 

1.  A  large  specimen,  with  a  part  of  posterior  extremity  broken  off. 
la.  The  original  typical  specimen,  enlarged  two  diameters. 

Fig.  2.   CORBULA  PYRIFORMIS 170 

2.  A  side  view  of  a  ruther  distinctly  ribbed  specimen^  with  a  portion  of  its  posterior 

extremity  broken  away,  natural  size. 
2  a,  The  original  typical  specimen,  smooth  variety. 
2  b.  An  anterior  view  of  same,  showing  its  very  nearly  equivalve  character. 

2  c,  A  very  large,  irregularly  ribbed  specimen,  with  the  posterior  extremity  slightly 

broken. 
2d.  A  dorsal  view  of  another  specimen,  slightly  distorted  by  compression.    It  shows  the 
posterior  dorsal  furrow  and  the  angle  along  the  margin  of  each  valve. 

Fig.  3.  LlMN^A  SIMILIS 191 

13.     A  dorsal  view,  shon  iug  aperture,  enlarged  two  diameters. 

3  a.  An  opposite  view  of  same. 

Fig.  4.   LiMNiEA  VKTUSTA ' 191 

4.  A  dorsal  view,  natural  size. 

4  a.  The  same,  somewhat  enlarged. 

4  5.  An  opposite  view  of  same,  enlarged. 

Fig.  5.  LiMNJEA  NITIDULA ". Igl 

5.  Dorsal  view,  enlarged  two  diameters.    [Inner  lip  not  well  shown.] 

5  a.  An  opposite  view  of  same. 

Fig.  6.  Rhytiphorus  pkiscus 175 

6.  View  of  dorsal  side  (type-specimen). 

6  a.  An  opposite  view  of  same,  showing  the  narrow  aperture,  with  a  part  of  the  lip 

broken  away. 

Fig.  7.  GONIOBASIS  SiMPSONI 193 

7.  One  of  the  typical  specimens,  natural  size,  with  apex  broken  away. 

7  a.  A  specimen  without  regular  costa. 
7  h.  An  opposite  view  of  same. 

7  c.  A  nearly  smooth  specimen. 

7d.  A  Gostate  and  slightly  nodose  specimen,  enlarged  about  two  diameters. 

Fig.  8.  Melania?  sculptilis 195 

Side  and  aperture  view,  enlarged  about  two  diameters. 
Fig.  9.  Melania  ¥  subsculptilis  ;  perhaps  only  a  variety  of  last , 1 96 

Side  and  aperture  view,  about  two  diameters. 
Fig.  10.  Carinifex  (Vorticifex)  Tbyoni 188 

10.  Side  and  aperture  view,  natural  size. 
10  a.  View  of  upper  side  of  same. 

10  h.  Under  view  of  same. 

10  c.  A  young,  strongly  costate  specimen,  with  the  apex  much  deprt^ssed,  being  the  type 

■  of  the  var.  concava. 

Fig.  11.  Carinifex  (Vorticifex)  Binneyi 187 

11.  Side  and  aperture  view,  natural  size. 

11  a.  View  of  upper  side  of  same. 

Fig.  12.  Ancylus  undulatus 186 

12.  A  medium-sized  specimen,  natural  size,  dorsal  view, 
12a.  An  outline  lateral  view  of  same. 

12  &.  An  outline  lateral  view  of  a  larger  specimen,  natural  size. 


2 

Fiif.  13.  Planorbis  spectahilis 169 

13.  A  small  specimen  (under  side  view). 
13  a.  A  profile  view  of  same. 

13  6.  An  upper  view  of  same 

13  c.  A  profile  view  of  a  larger  specimen. 

13  d.  An  upper  view  of  a  large  distorted  specimen. 

13  e.  View  of  under  side  of  same. 

13/.  An  under  view  of  a  smaller  specimen. 

Fig.  14.  Planorbis  spbctabilis,  var.  Utahjsnsis 190 

14.  Upper  side,  natural  size. 

14  a.  Under  side,  same. 

14  &.  Upper  aide  view  of  another  specimen. 

14  c.  Profile  view  of  same  specimen  represented  by  fig.  14. 

Fig.  15.  Campeloma  (undt.  sp.) 181 

15.  A  large,  imperfect  specimen,  somewhat  distorted  (widened)  by  compression  (lines 

of  growth  too  strong  and  too  straight),  so  as  to  appear  rather  wider  than  natural. 

15  a.  An  opposite  view  of  same  specimen. 

Fig.  16.  Probably  the  young  of  the  above  species , 

16  «.  Another  view  of  another  specimen. 

16  h.  Another  specimen,  with  the  spire  broken  away. 

Fig.  17.  Campeloma  macrospira?  (young  specimen) 179 

17.  A  dorsal  view. 

17  a.  An  opposite  view  of  same. 

Fig.  18.  ViVIPARUS  CONRADlf 178 

18.  An  imperfect  specimen  from  Bear  River,  Utah. 

18  a.  A  specimen  from  the  original  locality  on  the  Upper  Missouri,  figured  here  for  com- 

parison. 

Fig.  19.  Pyrqulifera  humerosa 176 

19.  A  large  specimen,  with  the  lip  broken,  so  as  to  give  an  unnatural  angularity  to  the 

basal  outline. 

19  a.  Another  specimen,  with  the  apex  of  the  spire  broken  off,  but  showing  the  form  of 

the  aperture. 


U.S.  GeolEzpI  40  Parallel 


Cretaceous  and  Tertiary 


Plate  :XM. 


li-^.£Uiottctel 


J.Biai  Utiu 


UNITED  STATES  GEOLOGICAL  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  FORTIETH  PARALLEL. 

CLARENCE  KING,  Geologist-dj-Chabgk. 


PART   II. 


PALEONTOLOGY. 


JAMES    HALIj   and    R.   P.   WHITFIELD. 


GENERAL    REMARKS. 


In  studying  the  fossils  placed  in  our  hands,  from  the  several  Palaeozoic 
formations  occurring  in  the  regions  examined  by  the  *^  Geological  Exploration 
of  the  Fortieth  Parallel",  there  are  several  groups  of  special  interest  noticed; 
but  perhaps  none  more  deserving  of  close  attention  than  those  from  the  lime- 
stones and  silico-calcareous  shales  representing  the  Potsdam  Period,  from  the 
White  Pine  and  Eureka  mining-districts  and  from  Schell  Creek.  The  peculiar 
interest  attached  to  these  specimens  arises  chiefly  from  the  great  number 
and  variety  of  the  Trilobitic  remains,  represented  in  the  few  blocks  present 
in  the  collection,  and  their  great  resemblance  to  forms  previously  described 
from  the  soft,  friable  sandstones  of  the  same  period  in  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
within  the  States  of  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  Minnesota.  Although  there  is 
not  a  single  species  common  to  the  two  regions,  yet  there  is  such  a  close 
generic  resemblance  as  to  leave  no  doubt  whatever  of  the  positive  identity 
of  the  formations.  As  yet,  there  have  been  fewer  genera  recognized  from 
these  far  western  localities  than  from  the  more  eastern  ones;  but  if  the 
smaller  number  of  distinct  locations  and  the  restricted  space  or  territory 
over  which  collections  have  been  made,  as  well  as  the  small  amount  of 
material  examined,  be  taken  into  consideration,  it  will  at  once  be  seen  that 
the  probability  of  the  existence  of  as  varied  and  equally  abundant  fauna  is 
very  great,  especially  as  there  are  at  present  several  undescribed,  but  quite 
distinct,  forms  recognized  among  the  material  in  hand,  but  in  fragments  too 
poor  for  description  or  figures. 

The  species  here  described  also  present  a  striking  resemblance  to  forms 
recognized  in  beds  of  corresponding  age  in  the  San  Saba  Valley,  Texas,  by 
Dr.  F.  Roemer,  in  his  work  on  the  Cretaceous  formations  of  Texas  (Kreid.  von 

199 


200  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Texas,  &c.).  The  remarkable  form  there  described  and  figured,  under  the 
name  Pterocephalia  SanctisdbcBj  finds  a  close  representative  in  the  one  here 
given  as  Pterocephalm  laticeps^  and  shows  the  propriety  of  the  generic  separa- 
tion, while  the  form  characterized  by  the  '^slipper- shaped"  glabella  of  Dr. 
Owen  shows  not  only  the  wide  geographical  distribution  of  this  peculiar 
type,  which  is  common  in  the  Wisconsin  beds,  and  largely  prevails  in  the 
White  Pine,  Eureka,  and  Schell  Creek  localities,  and  also  occurs  in  the  San 
Saba  district,  but  also  its  value  as  a  generic  type,  for  which  Dr.  Owen  pro- 
posed the  name  CrepicephaluSy  which  may  with  propriety,  we  think,  be 
retained  for  this  widely-distributed  group.  The  extensive  geographical 
range  of  these  peculiar  and  marked  generic  forms,  through  the  western 
countries,  is  a  point  of  great  interest,  and  a  feature  that  will  undoubtedly  be 
of  much  service  in  the  future  study  of  the  formations  over  these  as  yet 
imperfectly-explored  regions,  as,  from  their  strongly-marked  character,  they 
will  be  readily  recognized,  and  serve  as  reliable  guides  in  tracing  out  and 
locating,  stratigraphically,  the  formations  wherever  they  may  be  met  with. 

Besides  the  above,  the  genera  Bikellocephalus^  Ptychaspis^  Chariocephalm, 
and  Agnostus  have  been  recognized  in  one  or  more  species  each.  The  Brachi- 
opodous  fauna  of  these  localities  is  quite  meager,  both  as  regards  species 
and  individuals,  and  affords  but  imperfect  means  for  comparison  with  that 
of  other  localities.  The  genus  Lingulepis  has  been  fully  recognized,  and  a 
species,  apparently  referable  to  the  genus  Obolella,  also  occurs  at  Eureka, 
together  with  a  minute  species  of  Kutorgina.  No  other  forms  of  life  have 
as  yet  been  noticed  among  the  collections  from  rocks  of  this  age  within  the 
region  covered  by  the  Survey. 

A  few  very  interesting  species  of  Trilobites  and  other  forms  have  been 
given  from  the  collections  from  the  base  of  Ute  Peak,  Wahsatch  Range, 
Utah,  which,  from  the  evidence  furnished  by  the  Brachiopodous  and 
MoUuscan  fauna,  have  been  referred  to  the  age  of  the  Quebec  group, 
together  with  other  beds  at  White  Pine,  Nevada,  and  East  Cailon,  Oquirrh 
Mountains,  Utah. 

The  Devonian  formations  are  represented  in  a  few  localities;  among 
the  most  interesting  of  which  may  be  mentioned  that  of  Treasure  Hill,  and 
the  black  slates  near  Eberhardt  Mill,  White  Pine  Mountains,  Nevada.    The 


GENERAL  REMARKS.  201 

fossils  of  this  last  locality  have  a  peculiar  interest,  from  the  occurrence  of 
Leiorhynchus  quadricostatus,  Hall,  a  form  which  characterizes  the  black  slates 
(Genesee  Slates)  at  the  top  of  the  Hamilton  group  of  New  York,  and  also  a 
species  of  Lunulicardium  (L.  fragosa  =z  Posidonomi/a  fragosa  Meek).  The 
occurrence  of  these  two  species,  together  with  an  Aviculopecten,  scarcely  dis- 
tinguishable from  A.  equilatera  (-zzAvicula  equilatera  H.,  Geol.  Rept.,  4th 
Dist.  N.  Y.,  p.  180,  fig.  7),  would  appear  to  be  sufficient  reason  for  consid- 
ering these  shales  of  an  earlier  date  than  the  Carboniferous,  and  much  more 
nearly  related  to  the  Devonian  Black  Slates  of  New  York.  It  is  true  there 
are  black  slaty  layers,  bearing  Carboniferous  fossils,  immediately  above 
them,  or  separated  from  them  by  only  a  thin  bed  of  sandy  calcareous  shales, 
as  at  Eberhardt  Mill;  but  these  upper  layers  are  lithologically  quite  dis- 
tinct from  those  below,  being,  in  fact,  a  bituminous  limestone;  and  the 
fossils  are  so  entirely  distinct  and  strongly  Carboniferous  in  character, 
one  of  them  (Cardiomorpha  Missouriemis  S.)  being  positively  identical  with 
a  well-known  Coal-Measure  species,  that  it  appears  to  us  there  can  be  no 
doubt  of  their  Carboniferous  age  and  entire  distinction  from  those  below. 
The  specimen  of  sandy  calcareous  shale  in  the  collection,  marked  as  occur- 
ring in  the  black  slates  at  Eberhardt  Mill,  contains  fragments  and  imperfect 
individuals  of  a  Spirifer,  resembling  8.  Keokuk  H.,  but  too  imperfect  for 
positive  identification.  If  this  specimen  is  authentic  in  its  location,  it 
undoubtedly  marks  a  line  of  separation  between  -the  two  beds  of  black 
slates. 

Another  group  of  fossils  of  considerable  interest  will  be  found  figured 
on  plate  IV.  These  were  obtained  from  limestones  at  Dry  Caiion,  Oquirrh 
Mountains;  and  from  Ogden,  Little  Cottonwood,  and  Logan  Cafions,  in 
the  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah,  from  their  character  we  should  consider  them  as 
of  about  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group  of  Ohio  and  the  yellow  sandstones 
of  Burlington,  Iowa;  which  have  been  referred  to  the  same  age.  Some 
of  the  species  are  identical  with  forms  described  from  these  localities, 
while  others  are  very  closely  representative  species;  and  all  have  more 
of  a  Devonian  than  a  Carboniferous  aspect.  The  occurrence  of  so  many 
Devonian  types  at  several  localities  within  a  limited  district,  and  in 
considerable  numbers,  showing  that  it  is  not  an  accidental  feature  of  an 


202  PAL^O]!^TOLOGY. 

isolated  spot,  would  appear  to  be  a  matter  of  some  importance  in  a  strati- 
graphical  point  of  view.  The  genus  Proetus  seldom  occurs  in  rocks  above 
the  Devonian,  but  is  here  represented  by  two  distinct  species;  one  of  which, 
P.  peroccidenSj  has  been  recognized  at  three  different  localities.  Besides 
the  species  illustrated  on  the  plate,  there  are  represented,  in  the  collection 
from  near  Dry  Canon,  a  species  of  Syripffopora,  and  a  small-celled,  closely- 
aggregated  Cyathophyllum,  an  undetermined  ProduduSj  and  a  Platyceras; 
also  what  appears  to  be  a  Goniatite,  but  too  imperfect  for  determination. 

Above  the  limestone  beds  bearing  Waverly  fossils,  at  Dry  Cafion,  and 
separated  from  it  by  about  twelve  hundred  feet  of  limestone,  occurs  a  band 
of  somewhat  sandy  calcareous  shale,  filled  with  Bryozoans,  among  which 
can  be  recognized  a  Fenestella,  a  Polypora,  and  a  Glauconome,  together  with  a 
species  of  Spirifera  too  indistinct  for  deteimination;  above  this  sandy 
shale  there  is  nearly  or  quite  another  thousand  feet  of  limestone,  near  the 
top  of  which  occur  the  fossils  figured  on  plate  V.  These  latter  are  all  of 
Lower  Carboniferous  forms,  and  mostly  of  known  species,  and  interesting, 
as  occuiTing  in  limestones  without  any  intermingling  of  Coal-Measure  types, 
a  feature  rarely  met  with  in  the  Carboniferous  localities  of  the  Far  West. 
The  species  represented  are  known  in  the  more  eastern  localities  as  charac- 
teristic of  several  of  the  Lower  Carboniferous  divisions;  but  none  of  them 
occur  in  the  true  Coal-Measures,  except  Productus  semireiiculatus^  which  is  a 
well-known  cosmopolitan. 

The  age  of  the  shales  containing  the  Bryozoans  is  somewhat  doubtful, 
as  there  are  no  known  species  by  which  to  identify  them  with  other  local- 
ities ;  but  the  layers  holding  the  fossils  in  question,  and  which  occur  just 
beneath  the  Weber  quartzite,  would  appear  to  represent  nearly  all  the 
divisions  of  tlie  Lower  Carboniferous  as  recognized  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
At  one  time,  it  was  hoped,  by  Mr.  Clarence  King  and  his  associates,  that 
the  Weber  quartzite  might  prove  a  line  of  separation  between  the  Lower 
Carboniferous  and  the  true  Coal-Measures;  but  all  the  localities  except  this 
one  have  yielded  fossils  of  both  formations,  or  of  Coal-Measure  forms  only, 
showing  a  mingling  of  the  two  faunae,  as  usually  recognized  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley  and  eastward,  but  in  this  locality,  only  the  lower  forms  occur. 


GENEKAL  REMARKS.  203 

On  that  account,  it  will  prove  to  be  of  very  great  interest  in  a  stratigraphical 
point  of  view. 

The  section  of  the  formations  in  the  Western  Oquirrh  Mountains,  in 
which  Dry  Canon  and  Snowstorm  Hill  are  situated,  is  likely  to  prove  one 
of  the  most  instructive  of  the  Western  Palaeozoic  localities,  as  in  it  will 
probably  be  found  the  most  complete  representation  of  the  Palaeozoic  for- 
mations, extending  from  the  quartzites  of  Ophir  City  (which  are  likely  to 
prove  as  old  as  Huronian,  being  overlaid  by  shales  bearing  Trilobites  of 
Primordial  age)  to  these  Weber  quartzites,  lying  above  the  beds  contain- 
ing the  Lower  Carboniferous  fossils.  The  layers  of  limestones  between  the 
Trilobitic  shales  and  the  limestones  furnishing  Waverly  group  fossils,  two 
thousand  feet  in  thickness,  undoubtedly  represent  the  Silurian  and  Devonian 
formations,  and  will  probably,  when  thoroughly  examined,  yield  fossils  of 
these  formations  in  some  of  their  outcrops. 

The  rocks  at  this  locality  are  said  to  change  gradually,  in  passing 
upward,  from  a  limestone  to  a  quartzite,  and  above,  having  limestone  bands 
interstratified.  If  such  be  the  case,  some  of  these  limestones  will  most  prob- 
ably yield  fossils  on  thorough  examination,  and  show  a  gradual  change 
from  a  Lower  Carboniferous  to  a  Coal-Measure  fauna. 

A  few  additional  species  furnished  by  the  later  collections  from  the 
Upper  Coal  or  Permo-Carboniferous  beds  of  the  Weber  River  section,  will 
be  found  figured  on  plate  VI. 

On  plates  VI  and  VII  are  given  a  few  forms  each  of  Triassic  and  Juras- 
sic species.  The  later  collections  from  these  formations  are  rather  unsatis- 
factory in  their  character,  and  not  very  abundant.  There  is  one  group,  how- 
ever, of  special  interest,  labeled  as  coming  from  Shoshone  Springs,  Augusta 
Mountains.  Of  the  age  of  these  beds  we  are  not  at  all  satisfied.  Mr.  King 
and  his  associates  are  inclined  to  place  them  as  low  as  Jurassic  or  even  Tri- 
assic. Tliis  view  may  be  correct.  The  species  are  all  of  undescribed  forms, 
and  therefore  of  but  little  stratigraphical  value.  The  generic  value  of  the 
Aviculopecten-like  shell  would  indicate  an  age  at  least  as  great  as  this,  if  the 
generic  reference  is  correct,  about  which  there  may  possibly  be  some  doubt ; 
but  the  features  of  some  others  would  incline  one  to  believe  them  of  much 
more  recent  date,  especially  the  two  described  under  the  new  generic  name 


204  PALiEOKTOLOGY. 

of  Septocardta.  These  shells  have  the  general  aspect  externally  of  the 
genus  CarditUj  and  resemble  very  cosely  the  forms  of  that  genus  peculiar  to 
the  Eocene  formations.  Since,  however,  they  prove  to  be  a. new  generic 
type,  they  cannot  be  said  to  possess  the  same  stratigraphical  importance  as 
one  already  known  to  be  peculiar  to  any  definite  horizon,  and  they  may 
be  only  the  first  appearance  of  what  afterward  becomes  a  common  feature 
of  a  group,  characterizing  a  later  period.  Several  fragments  of  additional 
species,  all  apparently  new  to  science,  occur  in  the  collections  from  this 
locality,  but  all  in  too  imperfect  a  condition  to  be  serviceable. 

Among  the  collections  are  many  small  groups  of  species  from  various 
localities,  which  would  have  been  of  great  interest,  and  highly  advantageous 
to  science,  could  they  have  been  illustrated,  but  the  limited  time  and  means 
at  our  disposal  would  not  permit. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE   POTSDAM   GROUP. 


BRACHIOPODA. 

Genus  OBOLELLA  FJl. 
Obolella  discoid  a  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  figs.  1-2. 

Shell  very  small,  discoid,  and  scale-like;  valves  depressed  convex;  the 
larger  one  a  little  longer  than  wide,  giving  a  very  short,  ovate  form,  only 
perceptibly  narrowing  toward  the  beak,  rounded  on  the  sides  and  a  little 
straightened  on  the  front  margin;  surface  slightly  convex,  more  convex  on 
the  umbo  and  flattened  toward  the  front.  Smaller  valve  circular,  sometimes 
almost  truncate  at  the  beak,  slightly  convex  on  the  umbo,  and  flattened  in 
front,  having  a  less  degree  of  convexity  throughout  than  the  other  valve. 

Surface-structure  not  observed.  The  shells  are  all  more  or  less  exfo- 
liated by  separation  from  the  rock.  The  substance  of  the  shell  is  calcareous, 
and  the  surface  of  the  cast  smooth  and  shining,  with  very  fine  concentric 
lines. 

The  shells  seldom  measure  more  than  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  their 
greatest  diameter,  and  are  usually  smaller;  while  the  largest  examples  seen 
do  not  exceed  one-sixth  of  an  inch.  It  is  remarable  only  for  its  small  size 
and  flattened  form,  possessing  no  salient  features  by  which  it  can  be  com- 
pared with  other  species. 

Formation  and  locality. — Quite  common  in  some  hard,  sandy  limestones 
of  the  Potsdam  formation,  in  the  Eureka  District,  Nevada,  associated  with 
Kutorgina^  AgnostuSy  and  several  species  of  Trilobiks.  Collected  by  Arnold 
Hague,  esq. 

205 


206  PALJSONTOLOQY. 

Genus  LINGULEPIS  Hall. 

LiNGULEPIS  M^EA  B.   Sp. 
Plate  I,  figs.  5-7. 

Shell  small,  short-ovate,  a  little  longer  than  wide,  point  of  greatest 
width  a  little  below  the  middle  of  the  length;  base  regularly  rounded;  beak 
small,  pointed,  and  slightly  incurved;  cardinal  slopes  long,  diverging  from  the 
beak  to  below  the  middle  of  the  shell,  and  inclosing  an  angle  of  about  ninety 
degrees.  Valves  convex,  a  little  the  most  ventricose  above  the  middle  of  the 
valve;  the  beak  of  the  longer  valve  appearing  quite  full  and  round. 

Surface  of  the  shell  apparently  smooth.  Internal  cast  distinctly 
radiated. 

The  surfaces  of  the  shells  are  all  mo^e  or  less  exfoliated  in  separating 
from  the  matrix,  and  in  this  condition  are  more  or  less  lamellose  in  their 
structure,  while  the  layers  are  bright  and  polished.  The  shell  in  many  of 
its  features  resembles  L,  pinnaformis  Owen,  from  the  Potsdam  sandstones 
of  the  St.  Croix  River,  but  has  not  the  extended  beak  of  that  species,  the 
valves  being  more  nearly  of  equal  length,  that  of  the  ventral  exceeding  the 
dorsal  only  by  the  beak  being  pointed  instead  of  rounded. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  hard,  somewhat  ferruginous,  sandy  limestone 
of  the  Potsdam  group  in  the  Eureka  District,  Nevada.  Collected  by  Arnold 
Hague,  esq. 

LiNGULEPIS  ?  MINUTA  D.  sp. 
Plate  I,  figs.  3-4. 

Shell  minute,  seldom  exceeding  a  line  in  its  greatest  diameter;  in  fox-m 
very  short-ovate,  the  greatest  width  considerably  below  the  middle  of  the 
length  and  narrowing  to  the  beak,  especially  on  the  larger  valve,  which  is 
apparently  slightly  truncate  at  the  extremity;  base  broadly  rounded. 
Valves  moderately  convex,  but  not  rotund.  Smaller  valve  nearly  circular. 
Substance  of  the  shell  nacreous  and  apparently  phosphatic,  not  presenting 
any  appearance  of  having  been  calcareous;  the  exterior  concentrically 
lamellose. 

Casts  of  the  interior  of  the  larger  valve  show  a  sharp,  longitudinal 
depression  along  the  middle,  extending  in  some  cases  to  near  the  front 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GROUP.  207 

margin;  also  two  shorter,  widely-diverging  impressions  near  the  beak.  The 
same  features  are  seen  in  the  smaller  valve,  except  that  the  shorter  impres- 
sions are  less  divergent. 

There  may  be  some  doubt  as  to  the  true  generic  relations  of  this  shell. 
Its  entire  phosphatic  structure  places  it  at  once  among  the  true  Linguloid 
species,  but  the  muscular  scars  are  not  quite  like  those  of  Lingulepis,  We 
know  of  no  species  very  closely  resembling  it  with  which  it  may  be  com- 
pared. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  thinly  laminated  siliceous  and  somewhat 
ferruginous  shales  of  the  Potsdam  formation,  in  the  Eureka  District, 
Nevada.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  esq. 

Genus  KUTORGINA,  Billings. 

KUTORGINA  MINUTISSIMA  n.  Sp. 
Plate  I,  figs.  11-12. 

Shell  minute,  quadrangular  in  outline,  and  a  little  wider  than  long, 
with  a  straight  hinge-line  nearly  or  quite  equaling  the  greatest  w^idth  of  the 
shell;  sides  straight  or  slightly  rounded;  antero-lateral  angles  rounded; 
front  margin  broadly  rounded  or  very  slightly  emarginate  in  the  middle  by 
the  very  faint  mesial  sinus  of  the  dorsal  valve.  Ventral  valve  somewhat 
pyramidal,  with  the  side  formed  by  the  cardinal  area  vertical;  apex  of  the 
valve  obtusely  pointed;  cardinal  area  triangular,  about  half  as  high  as  wide. 
Features  of  the  area  and  foramen  not  observed.  Dorsal  valve  convex,  but 
much  less  elevated  than  the  ventral,  and  having  the  beak  obtusely  rounded 
and  rather  tumid,  a  very  little  projecting  beyond  the  cardinal  line;  middle  of 
the  valve  marked  by  a  very  broad,  shallow,  and  faintly-defined  mesial  sinus, 
which  does  not  extend  quite  to  the  apex  of  the  valve. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  fine,  elevated,  concentric  lines,  which 
are  sharp  on  the  top  and  often  interrupted  in  their  course,  coalescing  or  bifur- 
cating, and  appearing  as  if  broken,  giving  a  peculiar  roughened  but  not 
lamellose  surface-structure.  There  are  also  a  few  very  faint,  scarcely 
defined,  and  somewhat  irregular,  distant  radii.  This  latter  feature  has  only 
been  observed  on  the  dorsal  valve. 


208  PALEONTOLOGY. 

The  shells  have  all  the  generic  features  of  the  specimens  upon  which 
the  genus  Kutorginaj  as  given  by  Mr.  BiUings  (Pal.  Foss.  Canada,  vol.  1,  p. 
8,  figs.  8  and  10;  the  specimen  fig.  9  probably  belongs  to  some  other  genus), 
was  founded,  but  differs  specially  in  the  minute  size  of  the  shell.  Our 
specimens  figured  measure  scarcely  a  line  in  width,  and  are  less  in  length; 
while  the  original  of  his  species,  which  we  had  the  pleasure  of  examining 
some  years  ago,  considerably  exceed  half  an  inch  in  length.  The  peculiar 
surface-character  is  one  that  cannot  be  easily  mistaken,  and  one  which  we 
do  not  remember  to  have  seen  on  any  other  Brachiopodous  shell. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada.  There  are  also  remains  of  shells  of  the  same  genus,  but  of  a 
species  two  or  three  times  the  size  of  this  one,  in  come  green  shales  from 
East  Gallon,  Oquirrh  Mountahis,  Utah.    Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  esq. 

Genus  LEPT^NA  Dalman. 
Lept-^ena  Melita  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  figs.  13-14. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  transversely  semi-oval  in  form,  the  length  equal  to 
about  two-thirds  of  the  width;  hinge-line  straight,  as  long  as  the  width  of  the 
shell  below;  sides  nearly  straight  for  a  short  distance  below  the  cardinal 
extremities  and  rectangular  to  the  hinge-line;  lower  lateral  margins  rounded; 
basal  line  regularly  convex;  ventral  valve  depressed-convex,  regularly 
arching  from  beak  to  base,  but  sometimes  slightly  marked  by  a  broad, 
shallow,  not  distinctly  defined,  mesial  depression;  beak  low  and  inconspicu- 
ous; dorsal  valve  concave,  nearly  conforming  to  the  curvature  of  the  oppo- 
site valve,  leaving  but  a  limited  space  between  the  two.  Area  not  definitely 
ascertained,  but  apparently  quite  narrow  and  linear. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  distinct,  strong,  somewhat  arching, 
radiating  striae,  with  an  indefinite  number  of  very  fine  intermediate  ones 
occupying  the  concave  spaces  between  the  stronger,  and  with  them  forming 
fascicles.  This  feature  varies  very  greatly  in  strength  and  number  of  the 
finer  strise  in  different  individuals,  and  also  in  the  number  of  stronger  radii; 
in  some  cases  there  being  only  nine  or  ten  of  the  strong  radii  on  the  entire 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GEOnP.  209 

shell,  while  in  others  there  may  be  fifteen  or  twenty.  Concentric  lines  of 
varying  strength  cross  the  radiating  lines  at  irregular  distances. 

The  shell  is  a  very  pretty  and  strongly-marked  form,  and  not  easily 
confounded  with  any  previously-known  species.^ 

Formation  and  locality, — In  sandy  ghales  of  Lower  Silurian  age,  proba- 
bly of  the  horizon  of  the  Potsdam  or  Calciferous,  at  Eureka,  Nevada. 
Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  esq. 

CEUSTACEA. 

Genus  CONOCEPHALITES  Zenker, iziCONOCOEYPHE  Corda. 

Subgenus  CREPICEPHALUS  Owen,  %  =  LOGANELLUS  Devine. 

The  following  species  of  Trilobites  possess  some  peculiar  features, 
which,  being  common  to  the  whole,  mark  them  at  once  as  a  distinct  generic 
type  or  group.  In  many  of  these  features,  they  closely  resemble  some  of 
the  forms  described  under  the  name  ConocejjJialites,  from  the  same  horizon 
in  Wisconsin;  while  at  the  same  time  these  peculiar  characters  distinguish 
them  from  the  greater  number  of  those  species.  They  all  possess  more  or 
less  distinctly  the  ^'sUpper-shaped^^  glabella  referred  to  by  Dr.  D.  I).  Owen, 
in  his  generic  description  of  Crepicephalus,  and  all  appear  to  have  been  more 
or  less  distinctly  marked  by  three  pairs  of  glabellar  furrows,  although  some 
of  them  so  faintly  as  to  be  seen  only  by  the  reflection  of  light  across  their 
surfaces.  Another  marked  peculiarity  is  the  great  breadth  of  the  frontal 
limb  between  the  facial  sutures  along  the  anterior  border,  most  of  them 
widening  perceptibly  in  front  of  the  eyes  to  the  anterior  margin  of  the 
head,  where  the  rim  is  intersected,  almost  at  right  angles  with  the  border, 
by  the  suture-line.  The  great  width  of  the  fixed  cheeks  opposite  the  eye 
is  another  peculiar  character  of  the  entire  group,  in  several  cases  exceeding 
one-half  the  width  of  the  anterior  end  of  the  glabella;  while  in  only  one 
example,  C.  (C,)unisulcatus,  is  this  feature  reversed,  and  that  to  only  a  limited 
degree. 

Among  the  Wisconsin  species,  the  frontal  limb  is  usually  not  wider 

♦  Orthis  Barahouensis  Winchell,  from  the  Potsdam  sandstone  near  Spirit  Lake, 
Wisconsin,  specimens  of  which  we  have  lately  examined,  is  closely  related  to  this 
shell,  but  less  strongly  plicated  and  more  deeply  sulcated. — E.  P.  W. 
14  p  R 


210  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

tlian  the  breadth  across  the  eyes,  but  generally  a  little  naiTower,  and  the 
antero-lateral  angles  are  rounded  by  the  extreme  point  of  the  movable 
cheeks,  which  extend  in  front  on  the  upper  side  of  the  carapace,  while  the 
fixed  cheeks  are  as  a  general  thing  reduced  to  their  minimum  breadth. 

Another  feature  which  prevails  throughout  the  entire  group  is  the  well- 
marked,  and  often  strong,  ocular  ridges,  a  feature  rarely  noticed  among  the 
specimens  from  Wisconsin.  The  absence  of  this  feature  in  thes6  latter  may, 
however,  be  in  great  part  owing  to  the  unfavorable  material  and  condition 
of  preservation,  they  being  all  casts  in  a  loose,  friable,  and  often  coarse  sand, 
not  fitted  for  retaining  the  more  faintly  marked  characters  of  the  organisms;* 
while  the  matrix  from  these  western  localities  is  a  hard  and  very  solid  lime- 
stone, containing  a  considerable  a  mount  of  sand  in  some  parts,  and  extremely 
difficult  to  separate  from  the  organic  remains. 

The  features  above  noticed  are  mostly  those  pertaining  to  Dr.  D.  D. 

Owen's  genus  Crepicephalus  as  shown  in  the  figures,  cited  by  him  as  generic 

(Geol.  Iowa,  Wis,  and  Minn.,  plate  lA,  figs.  10  and  18);    and  we  see  no 

sufficient  reason  why  they  should  not  be  considered  as  of  generic  importance. 

But  whether  the  name  Crepicephalus  shall  be  retained  is  not  so  readily 

determined.     The  genus  Loganellus  Devine,  1863,  is  a  very  closely  allied, 

if  not  identical,  form ;  but  as  no  entire  individuals  have  been  obtained,  either 

from  the  Wisconsin  or  these  more  western  localities,  except  of  C.  (i.)  Hagueiy 

herein  described,  it  is  impossible  to  satisfactorily  determine  their  true  generic 

relations.     There  would  seem,  however,  to  be  no  doubt  in  regard  to  the 

generic  identity  of  the  latter,  or.  of  C.  (i.)  quadranSy  with  Loganellus  Logani 

Devine,  and  from  the  great  similarity  of  these  to  the  dismembered  parts  of 

the  other  species,  we  are  inclined  to  consider  them  as  all  pertaining  to  one 

genus. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  Haguei  n.  sp^ 

Plate  II,  figs,  14-15. 

Body  broadly  ovate  in  form,    widest   across  the  base  of  the  head, 

broadly  rounded  in  front  and  rapidly  tapering  behind  to  the  small  pygi- 

dium,  strongly  trilobed  and  moderately  convex. 

♦Since  this  matter  has  beeu  in  the  printers'  hands,  I  have  examined  many  freshly 
collected  specimens  from  several  localities  of  this  formation  in  Wisconsin,  and  find,  on 
most  of  them,  the  ocular  ridges  strongly  marked. — R.  P*  W. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GKOUR  211 

Cephalic  shield  semicircular  forward  of  the  occipital  line,  the  posterior 
extremities  extending  in  rather  broad  spines,  which  reach  to  the  fifth  or 
sixth  thoracic  segment,  and  when  in  their  normal  condition  are  nearly 
parallel  to  the  axial  lobe,  but  are  usually  spread  out  laterally  by  the  flat- 
tening of  the  head. 

Glabella  rather  small,  rounded-conical,  narrowing  gently  from  the 
occipital  furrow  forward;  front  regularly  rounded;  surface  depressed-con- 
vex, marked  by  three  pairs  of  transverse  furrows,  which  extend  rather  more 
than  one-third  of  the  distiance  across  the  glabella,  and  are  strongly  curved 
backward  at  their  inner  ends;  occipital  furrow  broad  and  shallow;  occi- 
pital ring  narrow.  Fixed  cheeks  narrow  at  the  eye,  separated  from  the 
glabella  by  rather  distinct  furrows.  Frontal  limb  long,  about  half  as  long 
as  the  glabella,  strongly  and  nearly  equally  concavo-convex;  posterior 
limb  narrowly  triangular,  reaching  about  two-thirds  of  the  width  of  the 
movable  cheeks. 

Movable  cheeks  of  moderate  size,  irregularly  triangular,  distinctly 
notched  at  the  inner  angle  for  the  reception  of  the  eye-lobe;  surface  con- 
vex, irregularly  striated  by  very  fine  lines,  which  radiate  from  the  base  of 
the  eye-tubercle;  marginal  rim  of  moderate  width,  flattened,  the  flattening 
extending  upon  the  spine ;  occipital  furrow  well  pronounced  and  reaching 
to  the  inner  margin  of  the  posterior  spine. 

Suture-lines  distant,  cutting  the  anterior  margin  of  the  head  with  a 
slightly  inward  curvature,  leaving  the  frontal  limb  nearly  half  as  wide  as 
the  entire  width  of  the  base  of  the  head ;  thence  directed  gently  inward, 
with  a  slight  curvature  to  the  anterior  angle  of  the  eye,  and,  after  passing 
around  the  eye-tubercle  is  directed  in  a  straight  line  to  the  posterior  mar- 
gin of  the  head,  which  it  reaches  at  about  two-thirds  of  the  distance  between 
the  glabella  and  outer  margin  of  the  cheek. 

Eye  distinct,  slightly  elevated,  distinctly  reniform,  and  about  one-third 
as  long  as  the  glabella  and  occipital  ring. 

Thorax  considerably  wider  than  long,  distinctly  trilobed,  rather  rapidly 
tapering  from  the  third  or  fourth  segment  posteriorly,  and  composed  of 
twelve  segments.  Axial  lobe  rather  narrow  and  gradually  tapering  through- 
out, scarcely  equaling  at  its  widest  part  one-fourth  of  the  entire  width  of 


212  PALiEONTOLOGY. 

tlie  thorax ;  segmente  distinct,  moderately  elevated,  elightly  flattened,  and, 
oa  the  older  specimens,  having  obscure  flattened  tubercles  at  the  outer 
extremities  ;  hiteral  lobes  convex,  flattened  on  the  inner  half,  and  gradually 
rotmdnig  on  the  outer  portion,  becoming  flattened  and  slightly  concave 
•oAvard  the  free  ends  of  the  pleura.  Pleura  straight  for  nearly  one-half 
iheir  length,  beyond  which  they  are  directed  backward  with  an  increasing 
curvature  to  the  free  ends ;  fun-ows  broad  and  deep,  occupying  nearly  the 
entire  breadth  of  the  pleura  on  the  straight  portion,  beyond  which  they  are 
liaiTowed,  and  become  obsolete  on  the  flattened  part  of  the  extremities. 

Pygidium  small,  elliptical,  the  anterior  and  posterior  margins  nearly 
equally  rounded ;  outer  angles  obtuse  ;  surface  convex,  strongly  trilobed  ; 
axis  not  quite  one-third  of  the  entire  width,  prominently  convex,  and  reach- 
ing nearly  to  the  posterior  margin,  marked  by  three  rings  exclusive  of  the 
terminal  ones ;  lateral  lobes  depressed-convex,  marked  by  three  pairs  of 
furrows,  which  are  curved  backward,  and  become  obsolete  before  reaching 
the  margin. 

This  species  differs  from  ConocepJialites  (ConocorypJie)  Kingii  Meek  in 
it  s  broader  form,  proportionally  wider  axis,  and  smaller  pygidium  ;  in  hav- 
ing one  less  thoracic  ring,  a  broader  and  less  conical  glabella ;  and  in  the 
broader  furrows  of  the  pleura,  as  well  as  in  several  points  of  minor  import- 
ance. It  also  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  Loganellus  Logani  Devine 
(Pal.  Foss.  Canada,  vol.  1,  pp.  200  and  201),  but  differs  conspicuously  in  the 
proportionally  larger  cephalic  shield,  larger  cheek-spines,  and  in  wanting 
the  extended  extremities  of  the  pleura,  as  in  that  species. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  dark-colored  limestone  of  the  Potsdam 
group,  on  the  west  side  of  Pogonip  Mountain,  and  near  French  Mine, 
White  Pine  District,  Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  nitidus  d.  sp. 

Plate  II,  figs.  B-IO. 

Glabella  pyramidal,  squarely  truncate  in  front;  lateral  margins  nearly 
straight;  height  above  the  occipital  furrow  less  than  the  width  at  the  base, 
and  the  anterior  end  equal  in  width  to  the.  entire  height,  including  the 
occipital  ring,  separated  from  the  fixed  cheeks  by  well-defined,  rather  deep, 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GROUR  213 

dorsal  furrows.  Surface  regularly  convex,  with  a  scarcely  perceptible 
angularity  along  the  median  line,  which  is  seen  only  by  the  reflection  of 
light  from  the  surface;  glabellar  furrows  nearly  obsolete,  or  the  posterior 
pair  visible  only  on  the  most  critical  examination.  Occipital  furrow  nar- 
row, and  the  ring  distinct  and  rounded. 

Fixed  cheeks  rather  narrow,  prominent  at  the  eye,  and  rapidly  declin- 
ing in  front,  and  more  especially  to  the  antero-lateral  angles  of  the  frontal 
limb;  ocular  ridges  distinct  Frontal  limb,  including  the  narrow,  elevated, 
and  rounded  border,  as  long  as  the  width  of  the  anterior  end  of  the  glabella, 
and  strongly  convex  between  the  rim  and  glabella,  from  which  point  it 
rapidly  descends  to  the  margin;  very  wide  in  front  between  the  suture- 
lines,  and  rapidly  contracting  to  the  eyes.  Posterior  lateral  limbs  triangu- 
lar, their  lateral  extension  greater  than  the  width  from  the  eye  to  the  basal 
border  of  the  head.     Eye-lobes  small. 

Facial  sutures  cutting  the  front  margin  considerably  outside  of  the  line 
of  the  eye,  the  angles  of  the  limb  slightly  rounded;  from  this  point  the  line 
is  directed  strongly  inward  to  the  eye,  behind  which  it  again  passes  outward 
and  downward  to  the  posterior  margin,  making  an  angle  of  about  thirty-five 
degrees  with  the  base  of  the  head.     Surface  of  the  crust  of  the  head  smooth. 

The  pygidium  associated  with  the  glabellas  in  the  same  fragments  of 
rock  is  suborbicular  or  obscurely  pentangular,  slightly  transverse;  the 
posterior  margin  regularly  curved;  junction  of  the  anterior  and  posterior 
lines  forming  obtuse  angles;  the  anterior  margin  is  also  angular  on  the 
shoulders.  Axis  small,  convex,  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  sliield, 
and  marked  by  four  annulations  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones;  lateral  lobes 
flattened,  broad,  slightly  convex  on  the  inner  half;  anterior  margin  bordered 
by  a  strong  flattened  rib,  extending  to  the  lateral  angles;  three  other  obscure 
ribs  mark  the  convex  portion;  border  broad  and  flattened. 

The  species  diff'ers  from  any  other  herein  described  in  the  short,  trun- 
cate glabella,  associated  with  the  laterally-expanded  frontal  limb,  and  want 
of  glabellar  furrows.  There  are  none  of  the  Wisconsin  species  which 
approach  it  in  the  combination  of  these  features.  C  lowensis  is  perhaps  as 
closely  related  as  any,  but  the  eyes  are  much  larger,  and  the  lateral  limbs 
very  much  longer  and  narrower.     The  pygidium  has  much  the  appearance 


214  PiVL^ONTOLOG  Y. 

of  a  BiTcellocephalus ;  but,  as  there  is  no  other  form  of  pygidium  in  the  rock 
containing  the  heads,  it  would  seem  to  belong  with  them. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada,     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  granulosus  n.  sp. 

Plate  II,  figs.  3-3. 

Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  when  united  having  a  quadrangular  form, 
with  projecting  posterior  lateral  limbs,  giving  to  the  whole  a  somewhat 
pyramidal  form,  with  a  broadly-truncated  summit. 

Glabella  short-conical,  somewhat  rapidly  tapering  in  front  of  the 
occipital  furrow,  and  squarely  truncate  at  the  summit;  height  equal  to  the 
width  at  the  occipital  furrow;  surface  depressed-convex,  and  marked  by 
three  pairs  of  very  oblique  furrows,  the  posterior  pair  extending  nearly 
across  and  almost  uniting  in  the  middle  with  the  occipital  furrow;  anterior 
pair  very  short  and  faint,  situated  near  the  anterior  angles  of  the  glabella; 
second  pair  intermediate  in  size  and  position. 

Fixed  cheeks  about  half  as  wide  as  the  center  of  the  glabella,  verj^ 
prominent  in  the  region  of  the  eye,  and  rapidly  declining  anteriorly  and 
posteriorly  from  this  point;  palpebral  lobes  long  and  narrow,  rather  distinct 
and  prominent.  Frontal  limb  nearly  half  as  long  as  the  glabella  anterior 
to  the  occipital  furrow,  rapidly  declining  forward,  and  bordered  by  a 
thickened  rounded  rim,  which  is  equal  to  one  third  of  the  entire  length  of 
the  limb;  the  space  between  the  glabella  and  the  marginal  rim  is  strongly 
convex.  Posterior  lateral  limbs  triangular,  once  and  a  half  as  long  as  high; 
ocular  ridges  existing  in  the  form  of  an  abrupt  elevation,  passing  from  the 
front  of  the  eye  to  the  anterior  furrow  of  the  glabella;  occipital  furrow 
strongly  marked  on  the  lateral  limb. 

Facial  suture  passing  in  a  direct  line  from  the  eye  to  the  anterior 
margin,  and  from  behind  the  eye  obliquely  backward  to  the  posterior 
margin  of  the  head,  forming  an  angle  of  about  thirty  degrees  to  the 
occipital  line. 

Surface  of  the  crust  densely  covered  by  rather  coarse  granules  or  pus- 
tules. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GROUP.  215 

This  species  approaches  more  nearly  to  Conocephalites  Shumardi  Hall 
(16th  Rept.  State  Cab.,  p,  154,  pi.  1,  fig.  7,  and  pi.  8,  fig.  2)  than  to  any- 
other  described  species,  but  differs  very  conspicuously  in  the  greater  breadth 
of  the  front  of  the  head  between  the  facial  sutures.  No  other  parts  of  the 
organism  have  been  detected.  Although  the  fragments  of  rock  containing 
the  lieads  are  filled  with  Trilobitic  remains,  there  are  none  showing  the 
granulose  surface  corresponding  to  this  one ;  and,  where  the  entire  crust  of 
the  head  is  so  thickly  covered  with  granules,  it  would  seem  natural  to  sup- 
pose the  other  parts  of  the  animal  would  be  similarly  marked. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  compact  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group  at 
Eureka,  Nevada.     Collected  by  J,  E,  Clayton,  esq, 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  maculosus  n,  sp. 

Plate  II,  figs.  24,  25,  and  261. 

Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  quadrangular;  glabella  rounded,  conical,  a  little 
higher  than  wide,  and  highly  convex,  prominent  and  gibbous  along  the 
median  line,  marked  by  very  oblique  furrows,  only  two  pairs  of  which  show 
upon  the  cast,  except  on  critical  examination,  the  anterior  pair  being  very 
obscure,  and  situated  very  near  the  anterior  end  of  the  glabella ;  middle 
pair  more  distinct,  and  situated  at  about  the  anterior  third  of  the  length ; 
posterior  pair  commencing  a  little  behind  the  middle  of  the  length,  at  the 
margin,  and  directed  backward  so  as  to  unite  with  the  occipital  fuiTow  just 
before  reaching  the  center  of  the  glabella,  separating  the  posterior  glabel- 
lar lobes,  which  form  triangular  areas  of  large  size;  occipital  furrow  wide, 
and  ring  distinct 

Fixed  cheeks  nearly  half  as  wide  as  the  central  diameter  of  the  glabella, 
moderately  prominent  in  the  middle  near  the  eye-lobe,  and  gently  declining 
in  front  and  posteriorly;  ocular  ridges  strongly  marked.  Frontal  limb 
longer  than  the  width  of  the  fixed  cheeks,  strongly  convex  in  front  of  the 
glabella,  and  rapidly  declining  to  the  front  margin,  which  has  been  bordered 
by  a  narrow  rim,  the  form  and  extent  of  which  has  not  been  determined. 
Lateral  limbs  unknown.  Surface  of  the  cast,  except  the  glabella,  which  is 
smooth,  marked  by  distant  elevated  pustules  of  moderate  size. 

A  movable  cheek,  associated  in  the  same  blocks,  and  possessing  a  simi- 


216  PALEONTOLOGY. 

lar  surface,  is  distinctly  convex  between  the  eye  and  the  outer  border,  and 
the  latter  rather  broad  and  flattened,  separated  from  the  inner  convex  area 
by  an  abrupt  sinus,  and  terminating  behind  in  a  short,  sharp,  rounded 
spine,  and  anteriorly  the  under  surface  is  continued  in. a  spiniform  exten- 
sion. The  facial  suture  starting  from  the  front  margin  on  a  line  with  the 
eye  passes  in  a  nearly  direct  line  to  the  eye,  behind  which  it  passes  obliquely 
with  a  sigmoid  curve  to  the  posterior  line  of  the  head,  a  little  outside  of  the 
center  of  the  movable  cheek,  as  seen  on  the  latter. 

Associated  with  the  above  specimens  are  several  forms  of  pygidia,  two 
of  which  have  the  form  and  character  of  Dikelhcephalus,  while  other  two  are 
similar  to  forms  associated  with,  and  referred  to  heads  of  this  kind  in  the 
sandstones  of  Wisconsin.  One  of  these  is  transversely  elliptical,  nearly 
twice  as  wide  as  long,  acutely  pointed  at  the  lateral  angles ;  the  anterior 
and  posterior  margins  nearly  equally  curved,  the  posterior  being  a  little 
the  most  regularly  arcuate.  Axis  narrow,  and  not  more  than  two-thirds 
the  length  of  the  shield,  roundly  pointed  at  the  extremity,  and  marked  by 
five  annulations,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones;  lateral  lobes  broad  and 
flattened,  very  slightly  convex  on  the  inner  half;  anterior  border  marked 
by  a  comparatively  strong  and  distinct  nb,  with  two  fainter,  almost  obsolete 
ribs  farther  back ;  margin  wide  and  plain  ;  surface  smooth. 

This  species  differs  from  any  other  in  the  collection,  and  also  from  all 
those  from  the  Wisconsin  localities,  in  the  general  form  and  pustulose  sur- 
face. Mr.  Billings  describes  a  species  under  the  name  of  Bathyurus  coniciis, 
from  the  calciferous  formation  at  &t,  Timothy,  on  the  Beauharnois  Canal, 
Canada,  having  a  similarly-formed  glabella  and  pustulose  surface,  but  show- 
ing no  furrows  on  the  glabella. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  unisulcatus  n.  sp. 

Plate  II,  iigs.  22-23. 

Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  united,  elongate-quadrangular  in  form,  the 
entire  length  nearly  one-third  greater  than  the  width  between  the  suture- 
lines  on  the  anterior  margin;  sides  very  gently  increasing  in  width  to  the 
base  of  the  posterior  limbs. 


FOSSILS  OF  TDE  FOTSDAM  GllOUP.  217 

Glabella  moderately  tapering  from  the  base  anteriorly,  and  squarely 
truncate  in  front,  the  width  of  the  anterior  end  equal  to  half  of  the  entire 
height;  marked  by  a  single  pair  of  transverse  furrows  near  the  base,  which 
are  united  and  deepest  on  the  middle  of  the  glabella,  the  outer  extremities 
having  a  slightly  forward  curvature.  The  second  pair  of  farrows  are  very 
faintly  marked,  and  sometimes  obsolete  or  only  seen  in  the  reflection  of 
light  across  the  surface,  oblique,  and  situated  anterior  to  the  middle  of  the 
length  of  the  glabella;  anterior  furrows  obsolete. 

Fixed  cheeks  rather  narrow,  pi^ominent  at  the  eye-lobes,  and  rapidly 
sloping  anteriorly  and  posteriorly;  separated  from  the  glabella  by  very 
sharp  and  distinct  dorsal  furrows.  Frontal  limb  short,  abruptly  convex 
between  the  anterior  margin  and  the  glabella,  strongly  arched  upward  in 
the  middle,  and  bordered  by  a  narrow,  thickened,  rounded  rim;  ocular 
ridges  not  observable;  occipital  furrows  and  ring  distinct.  Lateral  limbs 
not  observed. 

A  pygidium  associated  in  the  same  block  is  transversely  broad,  semi- 
circular, or  short  paraboloid;  nearly  twice  as  wide  as  long,  and  margined 
on  the  under  side  of  the  posterior  border  by  a  wide,  considerably  thickened, 
recurved  selvage.  Axial  lobe  narrow,  depressed-convex,  and  marked  by 
six  annulations  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones;  lateral  lobes  depressed-con- 
vex; their  anterior  margin  bordered  by  an  elevated  ridge,  which  extends 
with  increasing  strength  to  near  the  outer  angle;  two  other  faint  ribs  can 
be  detected  on  each  lobe. 

The  species  somewhat  closely  resembles  ConocepJialites  Shumardi  Hall 
(IGth  Rept.  State  Cab.,  p.  154,  pi.  7,  figs.  1  and  2,  and  pi.  8,  fig.  32).  It  is, 
however,  proportionally  wider  in  front  between  the  suture-lines,  the  palpe- 
bral lobes  are  smaller,  and  the  furrows  of  the  glabella  less  distinct.  The 
pygidium  is  also  very  similar,  but  proportionally  longer,  the  axis  stronger, 
and  the  ribs  of  the  lateral  lobes  much  more  distinct. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada.     Collected  by  J.  -E.  Clayton,  esq. 


218  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Ceepicephalus  (Loganellus)  simulator  n.  sp, 

Plate  II,  figs.  16-18. 

Head  within  the  facial  sutures  quadrangular  in  form,  exclusive  of  the 
postero-lateral  limbs,  slightly  contracted  in  width  in  the  region  of  the  eyes. 

Glabella  narrowly  conical,  vjery  gradually  tapering  from  the  base  ante- 
riorly, the  sides  nearly  straight,  and  rather  squarely  truncate  in  front; 
bordered  by  distinct,  impressed,  dorsal  furrows;  surface  evenly  convex 
throughout,  and  marked  by  three  pairs  of  faint,  moderately  oblique,  trans- 
verse furrows;  the  two  anterior  pairs  not  extending  quite  one-third  of  the 
width  of  the  glabella;  third  or  posterior  pair  longer,  but  faintly  marked, 
their  inner  ends  strongly  recurved,  almost  separating  the  posterior  glabellar 
lobes;  occipital  furrow  distinct;  ring  prominent  and  rounded. 

Fixed  cheeks  of  moderate  width,  prominent  at  the  eye-lobes,  and 
rapidly  declining  in  front  and  behind;  ocular  ridges  faintly  marked. 
Frontal  limb  longer  than  the  width  of  the  fixed  cheeks,  bordered  by  a  nar- 
row, elevated  rim,  between  which  and  the  front  of  the  glabella  it  is  distinctly 
convex,  and  the  part  immediately  in  front  of  the  glabella  more  strongly 
convex.  Eye-lobes  small.  Posterior  lateral  limbs  not  known.  Surface  of 
crust  smooth. 

Specimens  of  movable  cheeks  associated  with  the  above,  and  corre- 
sponding in  character,  are  somewhat  triangular  in  form ;  margined  by  a 
slightly-flattened,  elevated  border  of  moderate  width,  which  is  continued 
in  a  long,  rather  slender  spine  at  the  posterior  angle;  inner  area  of  the 
cheek  convex  and  distinctly  marked  with  radiating  strise;  inner  angle 
strongly  notched  for  the  proportionally  large  eye-lobe.  Pygidium  un- 
known. 

The  species  very  closely  resembles  in  form  and  characters  the  corre- 
sponding parts  of  C,  (i.)  maculosus,  but  is  somewhat  shorter  in  proportion 
to  the  wddth;  the  glabella  is  not  rounded  at  the  summit  as  in  that  species, 
and  the  furrows  are  more  distinctly  marked  and  not  so  oblique,  while  the 
surface  does  not  possess  the  pustules  characteristic  of  that  one. 

Formation  and  locality.— In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GKOUP.  219 

CEEPICEPHALXTS  (LoaANELLUS)  ANYTUS  D.  sp. 
Plate  II,  figs.  19-21. 

Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  when  united,  irregularly  quadrangular  in 
form,  contracted  at  the  eyes,  and  broadly  spreading  below  by  the  projecting 
postero-lateral  limbs. 

Glabella  conical,  moderately  tapering  anteriorly;  the  height  and  width 
about  equal,  measuring  from  the  occipital  furrow,  and  the  width  of  the 
anterior  end  equaling  two-thirds  of  the  height;  marked  by  three  pairs  of 
transverse  furrows,  the  posterior  and  middle  ones  distinct  and  strongly 
recurved,  situated  at  the  first  and  second  third  of  the  length  of  the  glabella; 
anterior  furrows  small  and  faintly  marked,  rising  from  the  antero-lateral 
angles  of  the  glabella  and  directed  obliquely  backward;  occipital  furrows 
broad  and  well  defined;  ring  distinct  and  moderately  elevated. 

Fixed  cheeks  about  half  as  wide  at  the  eyes  as  the  width  of  the  ante- 
rior end  of  the  glabella,  widening  in  front  and  rapidly  expanding  l^ehind, 
moderately  elevated  but  not  prominent;  ocular  ridges  very  strong,  promi- 
nent, and  rounded;  frontal  limb  as  long  as  the  width  of  the  front  of  the 
glabella,  and  rather  rapidly  sloping  from  the  glabella  to  the  anterior  mar- 
ginal rim,  which  is  of  moderate  width,  and  rounded  in  the  smaller  specimens, 
but  becomes  thin  and  somewhat  projecting  and  angular  in  the  center  in 
older  individuals.  A  distinct  angularity  along  the  median  line  of  the  entire 
head  is  a  noticeable  feature.  Postero-lateral  limbs  triangular,  their  length 
from  the  dorsal  furrows  about  once  and  a  half  as  great  as  their  breadth  at 
base,  the  lower  edge  distinctly  grooved  by  the  occipital  furrows.  Facial 
sutures  distant  on  the  anterior  margin  of  the  head,  and  rapidly  converging 
to  the  eye,  behind  which  they  are  directed  obliquely  backward  to  the 
posterior  border  of  the  head,  at  an  angle  of  about  thirty -five  degrees  to  the 
occipital  border,  forming  a  slightly  sigmoidal  line. 

Movable  cheeks  irregularly  triangular,  elongated  in  a  postero-lateral 
direction,  and  produced  behind  in  form  of  a  sharp,  rather  slender  spine,  one- 
half  as  long  as  the  cheek;  central  area  convex,  and  strongly  marked  with 
radiating  striae;  border  wide  and  flattened,  or  slightly  rounded;  ocular 
sinus  small. 

Pygidium  transversely  elliptical,  obtusely  angular  at  the  lateral  extrem- 


220  PALEONTOLOGY. 

ities;  anterior  and  posterior  margins  subequal;  the  anterior  margin  having 
the  flattest  cm^ve.  Axis  naiTOw,  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  shield,  and  marked 
by  three  annulations  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones;  lateral  lobes  large, 
concavo-convex,  the  margin  being  slightly  recurved;  border  thin  and  entire; 
four  faintly-marked  ribs  may  be  counted  on  each  side. 

This  species  closely  resembles  C  (L,)  simulator  in  the  form  of  the 
middle  portions  of  the  head,  but  is  proportionally  longer  in  front  of  the 
eye,  and  this  latter  organ  smaller  than  would  be  indicated  by  the  sinus  in 
the  cheek  referred  to  that  species,  while  the  cheeks  are  more  oblique  and 
longer  in  a  postero-lateral  direction.  The  parts  here  associated  are  the  only 
ones  occurring  in  the  specimens  from  the  locality,  and  there  can  therefore 
be  no  doubt  of  their  correct  reference  to  the  one  species. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Schell 
Creek,  Nevada.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  esq. 

CrEPIGEPHALUS  (BATHYURUS  ?)  AKGIJLATUS  IK  Sp. 
Plate  II,  fi^'.  28. 

Entire  form  unknown,  the  specimen  consisting  only  of  an  imperfect 
glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  united.  The  form  of  the  fragment  is  somewhat 
quadrangular,  strongly  angular  in  front,  and  constricted  at  the  anterior 
angle  of  the  eye-lobe. 

Glabella  rounded-conical,  narrowly  rounded  at  the  summit,  strongly 
and  regularly  convex  on  the  surface,  the  height  and  width  subequal,  meas- 
ured from  the  occipital  furrow,  entirely  destitute  of  transverse  furrows; 
occipital  ring  narrow,  moderately  prominent,  and  having  the  appearance 
of  an  obscure  tubercle  in  the  center.     This  feature  may  be  deceptive. 

Fixed  cheeks  narrow  at  the  eyes;  palpebral  lobes  small,  obliquely 
situated;  postero-lateral  limbs  short,  equilaterally  triangular;  continuation 
of  the  occipital  furrow  faintly  marked;  frontal  limb  short  in  front  of  the 
glabella,  wide  and  extended  at  the  sides  and  antero-lateral  angles;  the  width 
between  the  fticial  sutures  equaling  the  entire  length  of  the  head;  anterior 
margin  thickened,  distinctly  angular  in  the  middle,  the  sides  sloping  rapidly 
to  the  suture-lines.  Facial  suture  cutting*  the  anterior  margin  a  little  outside 
of  a  line  with  the  outer  angle  of  the  eye,  and  directed  with  a  gently  convex 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GROUP.  221 

cnrvature  to  the  anterior  angle  of  the  ocular  sinus;  behind  the  eye,  it  is 
directed  obliquely  outward  to  the  posterior  margin  of  the  head  at  an  angle 
of  about  forty-five  degrees.     No  indication  of  ocular  ridges  can  be  detected. 

There  is  considerable  doubt  as  to  what  genus  this  species  should  bo 
referred.  It  lacks  many  of  the  characters  of  Crepicepliakis  and  Conocepkalites, 
and  possesses  neither  glabellar  furrows  nor  ocular  ridges.  The  form  of  the 
glabella  corresponds  with  many  of  those  referred  to  the  genus  Batliyurm 
by  its  author,  but  it  differs  in  the  direction  of  the  facial  sutures;  in  this 
latter  feature,  it  corresponds  with  Loganellus  Devine,  but  differs  in  the 
absence  of  glabellar  furrows.  The  projecting  angular  frontal  margin  is  a 
marked  and  distinguishing  feature. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  the  lowest  beds  of  limestone,  Potsdam 
group,  on  the  west  side  of  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine,  Nevada;  asso- 
ciated with  Pterocephalus  laticeps.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  PTEROCEPHALUS  Roemer. 

CONOCEPHALITES  (PTEROCEPHALUS)  LATICEPS  D.  Sp. 
Plate  II,  figs.  4-7. 

Entire  form  unknown;  the  remains  consisting  of  dismembered  and  frag- 
mentary parts  imbedded  in  the  rock  together. 

Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  when  united,  having  a  somewhat  elongate- 
quadrangular  form,  exclusive  of  the  postero-lateral  limbs;  widest  at  the 
front  margin,  and  contracted  in  the  region  of  the  eyes;  the  greatest  width 
being  one-fifth  less  than  the  entire  length  of  the  head.  Glabella  compara- 
tively small,  highly  convex  and  subangular  along  the  median  line,  regu- 
larly tapering  from  the  base,  including  the  occipital  ring,  to  the  summit, 
which  is  rather  abruptly  truncate;  width  at  the  occipital  lobe  more  than 
equaling  three-fourths  of  the  entire  hsight,  and  the  wadth  across  the  anterior 
lobe  of  the  glabella  equal  to  a  little  more  than  one-third  of  the  height.  The 
glabella  is  divided  by  three  pairs  of  strongly-marked  transverse  furrows, 
which  extend  about  one-third  of  the  width  of  the  glabella  at  their  respective 
points,  and  are  slightly  inclined  backward  at  their  inner  ends,  separating 
the  glabella  into  four  pairs  of  distinct  lobes^  which  decrease  regularly  in 


222  TALiEOISITOLOaY. 

Size  from  below  upward.  Occipital  furrow  narrow,  not  extending  entirely 
across  the  lobe;  occipital  ring  narrow,  flattened  on  the  outer  ends,  and 
marked  by  a  node-like  tubercle  in  the  center. 

Fixed  cheeks  broad  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  glabella;  palpebral 
lobes  large,  rapidly  rising  from  the  margin  of  the  glabella  to  the  border  of 
the  eye;  lateral  limbs  of  moderate  size,  and,  judging  from  the  direction  of 
the  sutural  margin  of  the  movable  cheek,  have  been  short,  and  rapidly  slop- 
ing, with  an  almost  direct  line,  from  the  posterior  angle  of  the  eye  to  the 
posterior  border  of  the  head.  Frontal  limb  excessively  expanded,  and  form- 
ing about  three-fifths  of  the  entire  length  of  the  head,  including  the  occipital 
ring.  From  the  front  of  the  glabella,  the  surface  rises  gently  for  a  distance 
equal  to  the  width  of  the  anterior  end  of  the  glabella,  and  beyond  is  grace- 
fully and  gently  concave  to  the  anterior  margin,  where  it  has  been  bordered 
by  a  double  rim.  The  rising  surface  in  front  of  the  glabella  is  distinctly 
marked  by  fine,  irregular  lines,  or  striae,  radiating  from  the  edge  of  the  gla- 
bella. Ocular  ridges  well  pronounced,  rising  from  the  sides  of  the  anterior 
lobe  of  the  glabella,  and  passing  with  a  slight  upward  curvature  to  the  ante- 
rior angle  of  the  eye-lobes.     Eyes  not  observed. 

Movable  cheeks  very  large  and  wide,  irregularly  triangular  in  outline, 
the  posterior  angle  projecting  backward  in  the  form  of  a  broad,  short,  flat- 
tened spine;  outer  margin  gently  arcuate;  anterior  margin,  forming  the 
facial  suture,  slightly  concave  to  near  the  eye,  where  it  becomes  slightly 
recurved.  Ocular  sinus  large.  Surface  of  the  cheek  gently  concave  from 
the  eye  to  the  outer  border,  and  marked  by  a  low,  rounded  ridge  parallel 
to  the  margin  at  a  little  more  than  one-third  of  the  entire  width  from  the 
eye.  Continuation  of  the  occipital  furrow  very  faintly  marked.  Upper  sur- 
face of  the  cheek  marked  by  fine,  closely-arranged,  irregular  striae,  nearly 
parallel  with  the  margin.    Under  surface  more  strongly  and  distantly  striated. 

Thorax  known  only  by  a  part  of  a  single  articulation,  associated  with 
the  other  parts  in  the  same  fragment  of  rock.  The  fragment  consists  of  a 
right  pleura,  and  is  of  moderate  width,  with  parallel  margins  slightly  recurved 
throughout  its  length,  and  more  abruptly  near  the  free  extremity.  The 
surface  is  characterized  by  a  very  broad,  shallow  furrow,  occupying  nearly 
the  entire  width,  and  becoming  obsolete  near  the  end  of  the  rib.     The  ante- 


FOSSILS  OF  TDE  TOTSDAM  GEOUR  22S 

rior  margin  is  elevated,  forming  a  narrow,  sharply-rounded  ridge,  gi'adually 
widening  toward  the  outer  end.  The  upper  surface  bears  no  markings 
whatever,  while  the  under  side  is  marked  by  strong  obHquely  vertical  striae. 

The  pygidium  associated  with  the  other  parts  is  transversely  elliptical, 
almost  one-third  wider  than  long;  the  anterior  and  posterior  margins  nearly 
equally  rounded,  and  the  lateral  extremities,  or  sides,  somewhat  subangular 
at  the  junction  of  the  two  lines;  the  posterior  margin  deeply  and  angularly 
notched  in  the  middle.  Axial  lobe  small,  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  shield, 
elevated  and  subangular  along  the  median  line,  and  obscurely  pointed  behind; 
marked  by  seven  low,  rounded  rings,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones.  Lateral 
lobes  large,  concavo-convex,  rather  rapidly  declining  on  the  inner  half,  and 
slightly  recurving  to  the  margin ;  marked  by  five  broad,  rather  indistinct 
ribs,  exclusive  of  the  anterior  articulating  projection,  which  become  obsolete 
near  the  middle  of  the  lobe. 

The  species  is  peculiar  in  its  broad,  expanded  cephalic  shield  and  rapidly- 
tapering  conical  glabella;  in  these  respects  differing  from  all  other  forms 
with  which  it  is  associated,  as  well  as  all  of  those  from  the  Wisconsin  beds 
of  this  age,  to  so  great  an  extent  that  there  is  not  the  least  danger  of  mis- 
taking it.  In  the  broadly-expanded  cheek  and  frontal  limb,  it  resembles 
some  forms  of  Dikellocephahis,  as  well  as  in  the  form  of  the  pygidium;  but 
tlie  glabella  is  so  very  different  that  it  at  once  distinguishes  it,  although  so 
closely  allied  to  that  genus  in  other  respects. 

It  closely  resembles  Pterocephalus  Sancti-sabce  Roemer,  from  the  same 
position  in  Texas  (see  Kreid.  von  Texas,  plate  xi,  fig.  1,  p. '93),  but  differs 
specifically  in  many  and  important  features. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  the  lowest  limestones  seen  on  the  west  side 
of  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine,  Nevada;  age  of  the  Potsdam  group.  Col- 
lected by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  PTYCHASPIS  Hall. 
Ptychaspis  pusulosa  n.  sp. 

Plate  ir,  fig.  27. 

Entire  form  unknown.  Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  united,  irregularly 
quadrangular  in  form,  slightly  angular  in  front,  the  margin  declining  on 


224  TALJllONTOLOGY, 

each  side  of  the  middle.  Glabella  strongly  convex,  subangular  along  the 
central  line ;  broadly  conical  in  outline,  and  rounded-truncate  in  front ;  the 
length  from  the  occipital  furrow  a  very  little  exceeding  the  greatest  width 
at  base ;  marked  by  two  pairs  of  transverse  furrows,  which  divide  it  into 
three  nearly  equal  parts  on  the  margin,  and  are  directed  very  obliquely 
backward  for  their  entire  length,  reaching  two-thirds  of  the  distance  between 
the  margin  and  the  median  line.  Occipital  furrows  broad,  well  defined ; 
occipital  ring  rather  strong. 

Fixed  cheek  wide,  separated  from  the  glabella  by  an  indistinctly 
defined  fun^ow;  ocular  ridge  strong,  rising  from  the  upper  lateral  angles 
of  the  glabella,  and  passing  with  but  little  curvature  to  the  anterior  angle  of 
the  eye.  Front  border  of  the  head  of  moderate  width ;  marginal  rim  thick- 
ened and  cord-like,  separated  from  the  inner  portion  by  a  deeply-marked 
furrow,  within  which  the  surface  rises  abruptly  to  the  ed^-e  of  the  narrow 
anterior  fun-ow  bordering  the  glabella.     Posterior  lateral  limbs  unknown. 

Surface  of  the  fixed  cheeks  and  frontal  limb  marked  with  strong,  scat- 
tered granules  or  pustules.  The  surface  of  the  glabella  may  have  been 
marked  with  similar  pustules,  but  has  been  somewhat  injured  by  weather- 
ing, so  that  none  show  in  its  present  condition. 

The  species  somewhat  closely  resembles  Ptychaspis  Miniscaensis  Owen's 
sp.,  from  the  Mississippi  Valley,  in  the  form  of  the  glabella  and  the  furrows 
marking  the  same,  but  differs  in  the  wider  fixed  cheeks  and  the  form  of  the 
anterior  border,  so  far  as  that  one  is  known,  as  well  as  in  the  pustulose 
surface.  No  other  parts  of  the  organism  have  been  detected  than  those 
here  described. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  the  lowest  layers  of  limestone  seen,  on  the 
west  side  of  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada;  of  the  age 
of  the  Potsdam  sandstone.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  CHARIOCEPHALUS  Hall. 
Chariocephalus  tumifrons  n.  sp. 

Plate  II,  figs.  38-39. 

Glabella  large,  prominent,  and  cylindrical,  nearly  as  wide  as  long, 
strongly  rounded  and  protuberant  in  front,  projecting  beyond  the  rim  of  the 


FOSSILS  OP  THE  POTSDAM  GEOUP*  225 

head  fully  one-fourtli  of  its  entire  length,  including  the  occipital  ring,  in  a 
rounded,  tumid  boss;  marked  by  two  transverse  furrows  anterior  to  the 
occipital  ring,  the  anterior  one  rudimentary  and  dii^ected  forward,  visible 
only  on  the  sides  of  the  glabella ;  posterior  furrows  strong  and  deep,  but  nar- 
row, extending  entirely  across  the  glabella  in  equal  strength  and  nearly  in 
a  direct  line,  situated  a  Kttle  in  front  of  the  middle  of  the  entire  length  of 
the  head;  occipital  furrow  a  little  stronger  than  the  posterior  glabellar 
furrow,  directed  slightly  forward  in  the  middle.  Occipital  ring  wide  and 
flattened,  about  of  the  same  dimensions  as  the  space  between  the  occipital 
furrow  and  the  posterior  glabellar  furrow. 

Fixed  cheeks  trapezoidal,  strong,  and  broad,  inflated  and  tumid  between 
the  eye  and  the  glabella,  so  as  to  overhang  the  eye  and  the  suture-line. 
Frontal  limb  very  short,  and  abruptly  bent  downward.  Posterior  lateral 
limbs  short-triangular,  nearly  vertical  outside  of  the  line  of  the  eye; 
occipital  furrow  deep,  and  the  ring  narrow;  ocular  sinus  very  small,  situ- 
ated on  a  line  with  the  occipital  furrow  of  the  glabella. 

Facial  suture  cutting  the  anterior  margin  of  the  head  a  little  outside 
of  the  line  of  the  glabella,  and  almost  immediately  deflected  outward  with 
a  strong  convex  curvature  to  the  ocular  sinus,  behind  which  it  is  directed 
to  the  posterior  border  at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees  to  the  axis. 

Surface  of  the  crust  smooth,  so  far  as  can  be  determined  from  the 
specimens. 

The  species  will  be  easily  recognized  by  the  highly  convex  and  cylin- 
drical glabella,  which  projects  far  in  advance  of  the  frontal  border  of  the 
head. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  the  lowest  limestone  beds  on  the  west  side 
of  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada,  of  the  age  of  the  Pots- 
dam group ;  associated  with  Conocephalites  {JDikellocephalus)  laticepSy  Bathy- 
urus  f  angulatmy  &c.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  DIKELLOCEPHALUS  Owen, 

Associated  with  the  preceding  species  from  the  Eureka  beds  of  the 
Potsdam  group  are  two  forms  of  pygidia,  so  unlike  anything  positively 
known  to  belong  to  species  with  conical  or  slipper-shaped  glabellas,  that  it 
15  P  E 


226  PALEONTOLOGY. 

seems  unnatural  to  thus  refer  them.  On  the  other  hand,  they  so  closely 
resemble  the  corresponding  parts  of  the  genus  Dikellocephalus  from  the  sand- 
stone of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  that  it  has  been  deemed  safer  to  refer  them 
to  that  genus,  although  no  other  parts  recognized  as  belonging  to  the  genus 
have  been  observed.  It  is  even  more  than  probable,  however,  that,  on 
examining  a  larger  collection  of  material  from  this  locality,  other  parts  of 
the  organisms  will  be  found  justifying  this  reference,  as  there  are  many 
fragmentary  portions  of  undetermined  species  in  the  few  blocks  now  before  us. 

DiKELLOOEPHALUS  BILOBATUS  D.   sp. 

Plate  U;#g.  36. 

Pygidium  transverse,  irregularly  oval,  rather  straight  on  the  anterior 
border,  rounded  and  deeply  bilobed  on  the  posterior  margin  by  a  sharply 
angular  constriction  of  the  posterior  border  on  the  median  line,  extending 
to  the  extremity  of  the  axial  lobe;  marginal  lobes  rounded  on  their  pos- 
terior extremities.  Axis  comparatively  small,  moderately  convex,  marked 
by  six  or  seven  transverse  rings,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones.  Lateral 
lobes  broad,  rounded  behind,  and  wing-like,  shghtly  convex  on  the  under 
surface,  and  recurved  toward  the  border;  marked  by  four  ribs  on  each  side, 
which  appear  to  have  been  obscurely  divided,  and  do  not  extend  to  the 
margin  of  the  shield.  On  the  under  surface,  the  posterior  border  is  inflected^ 
forming  a  very  wide  inner  rim,  or  lining,  occupying  nearly  one-half  the  area 
of  the  lateral  lobes.     Surface  apparently  smooth. 

The  deeply  bilobed  character  of  the  posterior  border  is  a  marked  and 
distinguishing  feature. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  in  the  Eureka 
District,  Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

DiKELLOCBPHALUS  MITLTIOINOTUS  D.  Sp. 
Plate  II,  fig.  .37. 

Pygidium  somewhat  triangular  in  general  form,  or,  considering  the 
anterior  border  as  consisting  of  two  sides,  would  be  somewhat  trapezoidal ; 
front  margin  arcuate,  a  little  angular  on  the  shoulders,  and  more  rapidly 
declining  toward  the  outer  extremities ;  the  entire  front  nearly  semicircular; 
posterior  margin  extended  in  the  direction  of  the  median  line,  and  present- 
ing the  9-ppearance  of  having  been  digitate  on  the  lateral  borders.     This 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GROUP.  227 

feature  may  have  been  wrongly  interpreted,  as  the  specimen  is  mutilated 
and  somewhat  obscure.  Axial  lobe  narrow  and  moderately  elevated  ;  less 
than  two-thirds  of  the  entire  length  of  the  shield;  marked  by  ten  very  short 
annulations,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones.  Lateral  lobes  moderately  con- 
vex in  the  middle  and  becoming  flattened  toward  the  margin ;  marked  by 
five  simple,  faint  ribs  on  each  side,  exclusive  of  the  anterior  one,  which  is 
also  the  most  prominent  and  angular.  The  posterior  border  has  the  appear- 
ance of  having  been  produced  at  the  extremity  into  a  broad,  flattened,  tri- 
angular process,  or  spine ;  and  judging  from  another  individual,  apparently 
of  the  same  species,  has  had  two  other  points  or  digitations  on  each  side, 
one  at  the  lateral  angle  and  the  other  just  below,  leaving  a  deep,  broad 
sinus  between  it  and  the  central  point. 

The  specimen  has  some  resemblance  to  small  convex  examples  of  D. 
Minnesotensis  Owen,  but  differs  in  the  more  arcuate  anterior  border,  extended 
posterior  extremity,  and  greater  number  of  rings  on  the  axis.  From  D. 
Pepinensis  Owen,  it  differs  in  the  stronger  axis,  more  numerous  rings,  sim- 
ple ribs  of  the  lateral  lobes,  and  in  the  form  of  the  posterior  lateral  margins. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  in  the 
Eureka  District,  Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

DiKBLLOCEPHALUS  FLABELrLlFER  n.  Sp. 
Plate  II,  figs.  29-30. 

A  small  pygidium  occurring  in  a  fragment  of  dark-colored  limestone, 
associated  with  those  containing  Conocephaliteslaticeps^Bathyurus  fangulatuSy 
and  Chariocephalus  tumifrons^  but  probably  from  a  different  layer,  judging 
from  the  lithological  characters  of  the  specimens,  has  a  character  so  marked 
and  peculiar  that  it  has  been  deemed  worthy  of  notice.  The  specimen  pos- 
sesses the  following  characters : 

Pygidium  transversely  semicircular,  the  length  and  width  being  as 
three  to  seven ;  front  margin  slightly  arcuate  to  near  the  outer  extremities, 
where  it  curves  somewhat  abruptly  backward  to  the  point  of  the  first  digi- 
tation.  Posterior  margin  digitate,  having  three  points  on  each  side,  and  a 
central  one ;  digitations  broad  and  obtuse,  the  middle  one  on  each  side  the 
largest.     Axial  lobe  of  moderate  strength,  highly  convex,  faintly  subangular 


228  PALJESONTOLOGY. 

along  the  median  line,  reaching  two-thirds  of  the  entire  length  of  the  shield; 
obtusely  pointed  at  the  extremity,  and  marked  by  five  transverse  rings, 
exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones,  which  gradually  decrease  in  size  poste- 
riorly. Lateral  lobes  moderately  elevated  and  convex  on  the  inner  half, 
becoming  concave  or  flattened  toward  the  edge  ;  marked  by  four  elevated, 
angular  ribs  on  each  side,  including  the  one  submarginal  to  the  anterior 
border,  with  broad,  shallow,  depressed  areas  between  them.  The  ribs  rise 
from  the  margin  of  the  axial  lobe,  and  reach  the  border  of  the  shield  at  the 
angles  of  the  marginal  sinuosities,  most  strongly  marked  near  the  axis,  and 
becoming  nearly  obsolete  toward  the  outer  border.  Surface  of  the  crust 
apparently  smooth. 

The  specimen  is  remarkable  for  the  simple  ribs  of  the  lateral  lobes, 
and  for  the  digitation  of  the  margin.  In  these  respects,  it  differs  very 
materially  from  any  Trilobite  hitherto  described  from  the  Potsdam  group; 
and  it  is  possible  that  it  may  have  come  from  a  somewhat  higher  position 
at  the  same  locality  than  the  other  specimens  with  which  it  is  placed. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  dark  crystalline  limestone  of  the  Potsdam 
group,  on  the  west  side  of  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine  District,  and  in 
the  Eureka  District,  Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq- 

Genus  AGNOSTUS  Brongniart. 

AaNOSTUS  COMMUNIS  n.  sp. 
Plate  I,  figs.  28-29. 

Cephalic  shield  subparaboloid,  wid-er  than  long,  the  respective  diameters 
being  as  six  and  seven.  Surface  strongly  convex  and  distinctly  trilobed. 
Glabella  nearly  equaling  one-third  of  the  width  of  the  shield,  more  promi- 
nent than  the  lateral  lobes,  and  separated  from  them  by  distinct  dorsal  fur- 
rowS)  three-fourths  as  long  as  the  entire  length  of  the  head,  broadest  at  base 
and  gradually  narrowing  for  two-thirds  of  the  length,  beyond  which  point 
it  is  more  abruptly  narrowed  or  obtusely  pointed;  anterior  third  separated 
from  the  part  behind  by  a  faint,  scarcely  perceptibly  impressed,  transverse 
line.  Central  portion  of  the  glabella  marked  by  a  distinct  elongated  and 
angular  tubercle.  Right  and  left  lateral  lobes,  or  sides  of  the  head,  sepa- 
rated in  front  of  the  glabella  by  a  narrow  furrow,  which  is  a  continuation 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GROUP.  229 

of  the  dorsal  furrows,  and  reaches  to  the  anterior  border.  Small  triangular 
occipital  nodes  are  situated  one  on  each  side  at  the  base  of  the  glabella. 
Entire  shield  margined  by  a  flattened  border  of  moderate  width.  Thoracic 
segments  unknown. 

The  caudal  shield  associated  with  the  above  in  the  same  fragments  of 
rock,  and  in  equal  numbers,  is  shorter  in  proportion  to  its  width,  being  more 
regularly  rounded,  and  is  margined  by  a  similar  flattened  border,  which  is 
projected  in  form  of  a  short,  spine-like  process  on  each  side,  about  two- 
thirds  of  the  length  from  the  anterior  border.  Surface  strongly  convex  and 
trilobate  in  the  anterior  half,  the  dorsal  furrows  being  directed  gently  inward 
for  half  their  length,  and  then  suddenly  deflected  outward  with  a  slight 
curvature,  becoming  obsolete  a  little  b(^hind  the  middle  of  the  length.  An 
elongated,  angular  node  marks  the  axial  lobe  near  its  anterior  margin.  Sur- 
face of  both  shields  smooth  under  an  ordinary  magnifying  power.  Length 
of  the  larger  specimens  about  one-seventh  of  an  inch. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  blackish  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group, 
White  Pine.     Collected  by  A.  J.  Brown,  esq. 

AaNOSTus  Keon  u.  sp. 

Plate  I,  figs.  26-27. 

Cephalic  shield  short,  subparaboloid,  three-fourths  as  long  as  wide, 
highly  convex;  sides  nearly  straight  for  half  its  length  from  the  base,  and 
gradually  rounding  in  front;  anterior  margin  broadly  rounded,  being  almost 
straight  in  the  middle.  Glabella  rather  more  than  two-thirds  the  length  of 
the  shield,  and  less  than  one-third  as  wide  at  its  base,  conical  throughout, 
more  rapidly  tapering  near  the  anterior  end;  anterior  third  distinctly  sepa- 
rated by  a  transverse  furrow.  Dorsal  furrows  well  marked,  scarcely  con- 
tinued in  front  of  the  glabella;  occipital  nodes  large,  rounded-triangular. 
Lateral  lobes  of  the  head  convex,  margined  in  front  and  on  the  sides  to  just 
behind  the  middle  of  the  length  by  a  narrow,  flattened  border,  which 
gradually  becomes  obsolete  before  reaching  the  posterior  line  of  the  head. 
Thoracic  segments  unknown. 

Caudal  shield  of  similar  form  to  the  cephalic  shield,  but  entirely  mar- 
gined by  a  flattened  border  of  nearly  twice  the  width  of  that  of  the  head, 


230  PALEONTOLOGY. 

and  much  wider  posteriorly  than  on  the  sides,  produced  into  spine-like 
projections  at  the  lateral  angles.  Axial  lobe  distinct,  strongly  marked,  more 
than  one-third  as  wide  as  the  entire  shield;  posterior  division,  or  lobe,  broader, 
rounded;  anterior  division  short;  annulation  well  marked;  a  longitudinally 
angular  node  marks  the  middle  of  the  axis,  extending  from  the  anterior  to 
the  posterior  division,  across  the  furrow  which  marks  their  limits. 

This  species  differs  from  the  A,  communis  in  the  shorter  form  of  the 
cephalic  shield,  and  proportionally  longer  caudal  shield,  both  being  equal  in 
this  species,  while  in  that  one  the  cephalic  shield  is  much  the  longest.  It 
also  differs  in  the  wider  border  of  the  caudal  shield  and  in  the  absence  of  a 
node  on  the  glabella.  The  caudal  shield  is  precisely  similar  to  that  of  A. 
Josepha  of  the  Wisconsin  sandstone  of  similar  age,  except  in  the  spine-like 
processes  of  the  lateral  angles.  The  cephalic  shield,  however,  is  entirely 
different. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

AONOSTUS  PBOLONGUS  D.  Sp. 
Pkite  I,  figs.  30-31. 

Cephalic  shield  elongate,  or  very  high  dome-shaped  in  outline;  sides 
straight,  or  nearly  straight,  for  more  than  one-half  the  length,  above  which 
the  margin,  including  the  anterior  border,  is  regularly  and  beautifully 
rounded.  Surface  low  or  depressed-convex  in  front  and  gradually  rising  to 
near  the  occipital  border,  where  it  becomes  low-tumid ;  glabella  not  visible 
except  under  a  strong  magnifying  power,  and  by  the  reflection  of  light 
across  the  surface,  when  the  outline  of  a  conical  form,  with  triangular  occi- 
pital nodes,  may  with  difficulty  be  detected.  The  shield  is  margined  by  a 
narrow,  somewhat  rounded  rim,  which  gradually  fades  out  toward  the 
postero-lateral  angles.     Thoracic  segments  unknown. 

The  caudal  shield  associated  with  the  head  is  much  shorter  in  propor- 
tion to  the  width.  The  form  is  much  like  that  of  a  cephaKc  shield,  and  it 
is  with  some  hesitation  that  we  have  associated  it  with  the  above.  Its 
shortness,  however,  and  the  want  of  occipital  nodes,  together  with  the 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  POTSDAM  GEOUP.  231 

absence  of  all  other  forms  in  the  same  block,  has  determined  us  in  so  doing. 
The  axial  lobe  forms  more  than  one-third  the  width  of  the  shield,  is  short 
and  rounded  obconical;  marked  by  a  node  at  its  upper  end,  and  divided 
across  by  a  doubly-curved  transverse  furrow  near  the  lower  end.  Dorsal 
furrows  distinct,  and  continued  as  a  median  furrow  from  the  end  of  the  axial 
lobe  to  the  posterior  margin.  Posterior  border  emarginate  and  surrounded 
by  a  flattened  rim 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

AaNOSTUs  TUMmosus  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  fig.  32. 

Cephalic  shield  highly  dome-shaped  iii  outline,  very  slightly  contracted 
.  near  the  occipital  border,  very  convex,  and  margined  by  a  narrow,  flattened 
border.  Dorsal  furrows  very  distinct,  not  continued  in  front  beyond  the 
glabella.  Glabella  proportionally  small,  less  than  two-thirds  as  long  as  the 
head,  distinctly  conical  in  form  and  very  highly  convex,  especially  tumid 
in  the  lower  part;  the  central  tubercle  marked  near  its  edge  by  a  very  slight, 
depressed  line,  which  presents  the  appearance  of  a  border  surrounding  it. 
Anterior  lobe  forming-  a  little  more  than  one-fourth  of  the  length  of  the 
glabella;  the  furrow  separating  it  from  the  principal  lobe  very  distinct 
Occipital  nodes  very  small,  triangular,  and  distinctly  modifying  the  base  of 
the  glabella  on  each  side.     Thoracic  segments  and  caudal  shield  unknown. 

The  specimen  above  described  is  so  entirely  distinct  and  well  marked 
that  we  have  no  hesitation  in  giving  it  as  a  species,  although  it  is  as  yet 
the  only  individual  specimen  noticed.  The  highly  dome-shaped  outline, 
literally  horseshoe-shaped,  is  peculiar,  which,  together  with  the  form  and 
markings  of  the  glabella,  cannot  fail  to  distinguish  it  from  all  others. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  of  the  Potsdam  group,  at  Eureka, 
Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq- 


232  PAIiiBONTOLOGY. 

FOSSILS   OF    THE   LOWER   SILURIAN. 
BRAOHIOPODA, 

Genus  LINGULEPIS  Hall. 
LiNGULEPis  Ella  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  fig.  8. 

Shell  below  the  medium  size.  Dorsal  valve  subcircular  or  oblate,  the 
width  slightly  exceeding  the  length;  the  beak  perceptibly  projecting  beyond 
the  general  contour  of  the  shell,  but  very  obtuse  and  slightly  truncate; 
sides  and  base  rounded,  the  latter  more  broadly  curved.  Surface  of  the 
valve  depressed-convex,  a  little  the  most  prominent  on  the  umbone ;  marked 
by  fine  irregular  concentric  lines  of  growth  on  the  upper  part,  becoming 
more  strongly  marked  and  finally  quite  lamellose  toward  the  margin  of  the 
valve.  A  few  very  indistinct,  radiating  lines  may  be  seen  near  the  beak 
by  the  aid  of  a  strong  magnifier.  Ventral  valve  unknown.  Shell-sub- 
stance phosphatic. 

There  may  be  some  doubt  as  to  the  true  relations  of  this  shell.  The 
broadly  oblate  form  would  be  an  objection  to  considering  it  as  a  true 
Lingular  while  the  truncation  of  the  beak  of  the  dorsal  valve  would  accord 
more  nearly  with  what  is  known  of  some  forms  of  Lingulepis.  It  is  possible 
it  may  prove  to  be  a  Lingulella^  but,  in  the  absence  of  the  ventral  valve,  it 
cannot  be  satisfactorily  determined.  It  diflPers  from  most  known  species 
very  perceptibly  in  the  oblate  form  of  the  valve. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  greenish  argillaceous  shales  of  the  age  of 
the  Quebec  group,  in  the  caiion  above  Call's  Fort,  north  of  Box  Elder 
Cafion,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  ORTHIS  Dalman. 
ORTms  PoaoNiPENSis  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  figs.  9-10. 

Shell  quite  small,  seldom  exceeding  a  third  of  an  inch  in  width,  and 
usually  much  less;  paraboloid  in  form  below  the  hinge-line,  but  somewhat 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  SILURIAN.  233 

variable  in  proportion;  beak  obtuse,  and  rather  prominent;  the  cardinal 
margins  sloping  rapidly  to  the  extremities  of  the  hinge.  Area  not  observed, 
but,  judging  from  the  prominent  beak,  it  must  be  rather  high  and  but  slightly 
arcuate;  hinge-extremities  angular,  or  slightly  rounded.  Surface  of  the 
valves  strongly  convex  and  marked  by  extremely  fine  strise,  which  become 
a  little  coarser  toward  the  margins  of  the  shell     Interior  unknown. 

The  species  has  much  the  general  form  of  0,  costalis  Hall  of  the  New 
York  Chazy  limestone,  but  the  striae  differ  greatly  in  their  extreme  fineness. 
It  also  somewhat  resembles  0.  Electra  Billings  (Pal.  Foss.  Canada,  vol.  1, 
p.  79,  fig.  72),  but  is  not  so  broad,  and  the  valves  are  more  convex,  and 
beak  more  prominent.  The  shells  occur  in  a  coarsely  granular  and  highly 
crystalline  limestone,  and  become  more  or  less  exfoliated  in  separating  from 
the  matrix,  so  that  the  external  features  are  not  perfectly  recognized.  The 
examples  used  are  all  separated  valves,  partially  imbedded  in  the  rock,  so 
that  the  hinge-features  are  not  fully  revealed.  Those  figured  would  seem 
to  be  dorsal  and  ventral,  and,  if  so,  the  dorsal  is  much  less  convex  than  the 
ventral. 

Formation  and  locality — In  limestone  of  the  age  of  the  Chazy  of  New 
York,  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada.  Collected  by  A. 
J.  Brown,  esq. 

Genus  STROPHOMENA  Rafinesque. 

Strophombna  Nemea  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  fig.  15. 

Among  the  specimens  received  from  the  gray  granular  Kmestones  of 
the  Pogonip  Mountain,  there  is  a  small  Strophomenoid  shell,  which  is  some- 
what semi-oval  in  outline,  about  two-thirds  as  high  as  wide;  the  hinge-line 
nearly  straight  and  not  quite  as  long  as  the  width  of  the  shell  below;  the 
cardinal  angles  are  slightly  rounded;  and  the  lateral  margins  and  basal  line 
almost  regularly  curved,  forming  a  little  .more  than  half  of  a  circle.  The 
surface  of  the  ventral  (?)  valve  is  regularly  and  evenly  convex  longitudi- 
nally and  laterally,  but  not  highly  rounded,  and  marked  by  rather  fine, 
even,  and  somewhat  sharp  radiating  striae.  The  dorsal  valve  and  interior  of 
the  shell  have  not  been  seen. 


234  PALEONTOLOGY. 

The  species  presents  much  the  appearance  of  a  Chonetes  in  its  regularly 
rounded  valve,  even  striae,  and  general  characters,  but  shows  no  appearance 
of  spines  on  the  hinge-Hne.  We  know  of  no  species  of  this  or  any  allied 
genus  from  rocks  of  a  similar  age  having  a  very  close  resemblance  to  this  one. 

Formation  and  hcality, — In  the  granular  Hmestones  of  the  age  of  the 
Quebec  group,  Pogonip  Mountain,  west  side.  White  Pine  District  Col- 
lected by  A.  J.  Brown,  esq. 

Genus  PORAMBONITES  Pander. 

PORAMBONITBS  OBSCURUS  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  fig.  16. 

Shell  of  moderate  size;  irregularly  transversely  oval  in  form;  a  little 
angular  toward  the  beak,  and  broadly  emarginate  in  front.  Ventral  valve 
flattened-convex  on  the  middle  of  the  shell;  more  sharply  rounded  near  the 
lateral  margins,  and  strongly  bent  upward  in  front  in  the  form  of  a  broad 
linguiform  extension,  which  is  rounded  on  the  end,  two-thirds  as  long  as 
wide,  and  distinctly  concave  on  the  exterior,  forming  an  emargination  in 
the  front  of  tJie  valve;  beak  very  obtuse,  short,  and  but  little  curved. 
Dorsal  valve  unknown,  but,  judging  from  the  elevation  of  the  front  exten- 
sion of  the  ventral  valve,  it  must  have  been  quite  rotund. 

The  surface  of  the  shell  is  mostly  exfoliated;  but  near  the  front  a  por- 
tion is  partially  preserved,  and  shows  what  appears  to  have  been  punctate 
lines,  or  striae,  though  they  are  obscure  and  unsatisfactory.  A  number  of 
concentric  lines  of  growth  are  clearly  distinguishable.  The  beak  of  the 
specimen,  where  the  shell  has  been  removed,  shows  the  two  diverging 
lamellae  which  characterize  the  genus  Porambonites.  The  specimen  is  quite 
imperfect,  but  interesting  as  representing  a  genus  so  seldom  recognized  in 
this  country. 

Formation  and  locality. ~hi  dark  grayish  crystalHne  limestone  of  the 
age  of  the  Quebec  group,  Pogonip  Mountain.  Collected  by  A.  J. 
Brown,  esq. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWEE  SILURIAN.  235 

GASTEROPODA. 

Genus  RAPHISTOMA  Hall. 
Rhaphistoma  acuta  n.  s\}. 

Plate  I,  ti^s-  20-22. 

Shell  small  to  medium  size,  lenticular  in  form,  and  sharply  acute  on 
the  periphery;  volutions  three  to  three  and  a  half,  moderately  increasing  in 
size  with  the  growth  of  the  shell;  suture  close.  Upper  surface  of  the  volu- 
tions less  convex  than  the  lower,  very  slightly  rounded  below  the  suture- 
line,  and  a  little  concave  just  within  the  margin,  giving  an  acutely  angular 
edge.  Lower  surface  of  the  volution  once  and  a  half  as  deep  as  the  upper 
part,  measuring  from  the  angle ;  subangular  or  sharply  rounded  at  the  edge 
of  the  umbilicus,  which  is  nearly  one-third  as  wide  as  the  entire  diameter 
of  the  shell,  showing  all  of  the  inner  whorls  when  free  from  rock  Aperture 
triangular,  wider  than  high,  acute  on  the  outer  edge,  the  widest  part  being 
above  the  middle.  Surface  of  the  shell  not  observed,  the  specimens  being 
either  internal  casts  or  having  partially-exfoliated  surfaces. 

The  species  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  B,  lenticularis  Sow. 
from  the  Trenton  limestone,  but  is  more  depressed,  and  the  volutions  are 
more  angular  on  the  lower  side.  In  this  latter  feature,  it  corresponds  more 
nearly  with  the  forms  of  the  gonus  occurring  in  the  Chazy  and  Calciferous 
formations  than  with  those  from  the  Trenton  group,  and  bears  a  striking 
resemblance  to  some  forms  of  B.  staminea  Hall,  but  has  probably  not  had 
the  strong  surface-markings  of  that  species.  It  differs  from  Euomphalus  f 
rotuliformis  and  JE7.  ?  trochiscus  Meek  in  having  a  smaller  number  and  more 
rapidly-increasing  volutions. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  Lower  Silurian  age,  probably 

Chazy,  at  Ute  Peak,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague, 

esq. 

Genus  MACLUREA  Lesueur. 

Maclurba  minima  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  figs.  17-19. 

Shell  quite  small,  subdiscoidal,  the  largest  individuals  not  measuring 
more  than  four-tenths  of  an  inch  in  their  greatest  diameter.     Spire  depressed, 


236  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

as  in  the  typical  species  of  the  genus,  and  appearing  as  an  umbilicus  on  a 
sinistral  shell,  the  depression  rather  narrow  and  abrupt;  under  side  flattened, 
without  any  depression  or  umbilicus.  Volutions  about  two  in  number, 
somewhat  rapidly  increasing  in  size  with  the  increased  grow^th  of  the  shell; 
flattened  on  the  lower  surface  for  more  than  one-half  their  diameter,  but 
very  evenly  and  regularly  rounded  above;  periphery  rounded,  a  little  less 
so  below  than  above  the  middle;  aperture  semi-ovate,  or  having  the  form 
of  a  circle,  with  the  lower  third  truncated.  Surface  of  the  shell  not 
observed. 

The  specimens  of  this  species  which  have  been  observed  are  all  internal 
casts,  and  occur  in  a  coarsely  crystalline  and  quite  friable  limestone.  The  sub- 
stance of  the  shell  has  been  quite  thick,  and,  being  also  coarsely  crystalline, 
crumbles  at  once  on  attempting  to  remove  the  specimens  from  the  surround- 
ing rock,  so  that  the  surface-characters  of  the  shell  cannot  be  obtained. 
The  generic  features  of  the  specimens  are  so  obvious  that  there  can  be  no 
doubt  whatever  of  their  right  reference  to  Maclurea;  and  their  small  size, 
together  with  the  rounded  upper  surface  of  the  volutions,  which  do  not 
show  the  least  tendency  to  become  angular  at  the  edge  of  the  spiral 
depression  or  cavity,  but  is  evenly  and  regularly  rounded  on  the  inner  as 
well  as  on  the  outer  side,  will  serve,  we  think,  to  distinguish  it  from  all 
other  described  species  of  the  genus. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone,  probably  of  the  age  of  the  Chazy 
limestone  of  New  York,  at  Ute  Peak,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by 
Arnold  Hague. 

Genus  FUSISPIRA  Hall, 

FUSISPIEA  COMPAOTA  U.  sp. 
Plate  I,  ^g,  25. 

Shell  elongate,  turreted;  spire  elevated,  forming  considerably  more 
than  half,  probably  two-thirds,  of  the  entire  length  of  the  shell;  composed 
of  six  or  more  short,  compact,  rather  rapidly-increasing  volutions,  which 
are  strongly  rounded  on  the  surface,  and  less  than  half  as  high  as  their 
diameter.  Aperture  not  definitely  determined,  but  apparently  elongated, 
and  probably  attenuate  below,  judging  from  what  can  be  seen  of  the  lower 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  SILURIAK  237 

part  of  the  last  volution  on  the  specimen  examined.  No  surface-markingg 
can  be  detected. 

The  specimen  is  quite  imperfect,  and  is  only  given  on  account  of  its 
low  geological  horizon;  the  most  of  the  species  hitherto  recognized  being 
from  the  Trenton  or  Hudson  River  groups.  The  species  differs  from  all 
others  of  the  genus  yet  described  in  the  short  compact  volutions. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  the  granular  limestones,  Pogonip  Mountain, 
west  side,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada;  of  the  age  of  the  Quebec  group. 
Collected  by  A.  J.  Brown,  esq. 

Genus  CYRTOLITES  Conrad. 
Cyrtolites  sinuatus  n.  sp. 

Plate  I,  figs.  23-24. 

Shell  small,  laterally  compressed;  composed  of  about  one  and  a  half 
to  two  volutions,  which  are  closely  coiled,  but  not  embracing.  Volutions 
acutely  triangular;  the  dorso-ventral  diameter  about  one-half  greater  than 
the  lateral  diameter;  sides  of  the  outer  one  marked  by  a  broad,  shallow 
depression  or  sinus  a  little  within  the  margin,  between  which  and  the 
umbilicus  the  surface  is  rounded.  Umbilicus  broad,  exposing  the  inner 
volutions;  the  sides  abrupt  or  nearly  vertical  except  on  the  edge,  which  is 
slightly  rounded.     Surface  of  the  shell  unknown. 

The  species  is  characterized  by  the  vertical  margins  of  the  umbilicus, 
and  the  broad,  shallow,  depressed  sinus  of  the  outer  half  of  the  volution, 
giving  a  somewhat  concavo-convex  curvature  to  the  surface  between  the 
umbilicus  and  the  outer  edge,  or  keel.  In  this  respect,  it  differs  from  all 
other  species  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  the  granular  limestone,  on  the  west  side  of 
Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada.  Collected  by  A.  J. 
Brown,  esq. 

CRUSTACEA. 

Genus  CONOCEPHALITES  Zenker. 

CONOOEPHALITES  SUBCORONATUS  D.  Sp. 
Plate  II,  fig.  I. 

Glabella  short,  conical,  with  straight  lateral  margins,  regularly  con- 


238  PAI*«QKTQEOQT. 

verging  from  the  base  upward  to  the  rather  squarely  truncated  summit; 
height  above  the  occipital  furrow  scarcely  exceeding  the  breadth  of  the  base, 
and  the  width  at  the  sununit  equal  to  about  two-thirds  of  the  height;  marked 
by  three  pairs  of  very  oblique,  subequally  distant,  and  moderately  distinct 
transverse  furrows.  Occipital  furrow  narrow  and  well  marked;  ring  distinct, 
widest  and  somewhat  pointed  on  the  center  of  th€>  posterior  margin. 

Fixed  cheeks  wide,  separated  from  the  glabella  by  distinct  dorsal  fur- 
rows, prominent  and  rounded  between  the  glabella  and  eye-lobe,  almost 
equaHng  the  convexity  of  the  glabella;  ocular  ridges  slender  and  curved. 
Frontal  limb  wide  and  concave,  destitute  of  a  thickened  marginal  rim,  as 
long  as  the  glabella,  and  obscurely  trilobed  from  an  extension  of  the  dorsal 
furrows,  forming  a  convex,  boss-like  area  in  front  of  the  glabella,  which  is 
divided  transversely  by  a  double  depressed*  line,  or  narrow  fillet,  midway  of 
the  limb  and  parallel  with  the  anterior  margin  of  the  head.  Eye-lobes 
about  half  as  long  as  the  glabella,  obliquely  situated,  and  separated  from 
the  fixed  cheek  by  a  deeply-depressed  ocular  sinus. 

Facial  suture  cutting  the  anterior  border  on  a  line  with  the  front  angle 
of  the  eye,  which  it  reaches  by  a  broad,  convex  curvature,  giving  rounded 
lateral  margins  to  the  frontal  limb;  posterior  to  the  eye,  it  is  directed  out- 
ward; the  actual  course  not  determined.  Posterior  lateral  limbs  not  seen. 
Surface  of  the  crust  in  front  of  the  glabella  strongly  striated. 

The  species  is  only  known  by  the  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks.  The 
specimens  are  all  minute,  but  readily  recognized  by  the  peculiar  formed 
boss  in  fi:ont  of  the  glabella. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  age  of  the  Quebec  group, 
at  the  base  of  Ute  Peak,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by  Arnold 
Hague,  esq. 

Genus  CREPICEPHALUS  Owen  ?  =  LOGANELLUS  Devine. 

CBEPIOEPHALUS  t  (LoaANELLUS)  QUADBANS  U.  Sp. 
Plate  II,  figs.  11-13. 

Form  of  entire  body  unknown.  Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  together 
broadly  quadrangular,  about  four-fifths  as  high  as  wide,  and  quite  uniform 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  SILURIAN.  239 

in  many  individuals,  very  depressed-convex,  or  quite  flattened,  as  occurring 
on  the  surface  of  the  shale  in  which  they  are  imbedded;  glabella  distinctly 
conical,  moderately  tapering  above  the  occipital  furrow,  and  broadly 
rounded  in  front;  marked  by  three  pairs  of  distinct  transverse  fuiTows,  which 
are  directed  obliquely  backward  from  their  outer  ends;  the  posterior  pair 
almost  or  quite  meeting  in  the  middle,  the  others  shorter,  and  situated  at 
almost  equal  distances  from  each  other.  Occipital  furrow  well  marked, 
proportionally  wide  and  shallow;  occipital  ring  narrow,  not  well  defined. 

Fixed  cheeks  very  broad,  nearly  two-thirds  as  wide  as  the  glabella, 
depressed-convex;  frontal  limb  short,  the  border  and  inner  part  of  nearly 
the  same  width;  sides  of  the  limb  in  front,  wide,  and  slightly  rounded  at  the 
antero-lateral  angles;  posterior  limb  wide  at  its  junction  with  the  glabella, 
and  rapidly  narrowing  outward,  being  about  once  and  a  half  as  long  as  its 
greatest  width;  ocular  ridges  slender,  but  very  distinct;  rising  from  the 
anterior  angle  of  the  eye  and  uniting  with  the  glabella  near  the  anterior 
furrow,  forming  a  slightly  curved  line  parallel  with  the  marginal  furrow  of 
the  head. 

Facial  sutures  directed  inward  from  the  anterior  margin  of  the  head  to 
the  eye-lobe,  behind  which  they  are  directed  outward  and  backward  to  the 
posterior  margin  of  the  head,  at  an  angle  of  about  forty  degrees  to  the 
occipital  line. 

A  form  of  movable  cheek  found  associated  in  considerable  numbers 
with  the  glabellas,  and  corresponding  in  size  and  character,  is  narrowly 
ti'iangular,  the  posterior,  extremity  terminating  in  a  short,  blunt  spine, 
slightly  curved;  inner  angle  strongly  notched  for  the  reception  of  the  eye- 
lobe,  and  the  outer  margin  bordered  by  a  thickened,  rounded  rim,  which 
gradually  increases  in  width  to  the  base  of  the  spine.  The  facial  suture 
corresponds  to  the  margin  of  the  fixed  cheek  above  described,  and,  on  the 
under  side,  the  anterior  border  is  prolonged  in  the  form  of  an  acute  process, 
to  extend  along  the  anterior  border  of  the  frontal  Hmb. 

The  pygidium  associated  with  the  above  specimens  is  minute,  trans- 
versely subelliptical  in  form,  most  strongly  rounded  on  the  front  border, 
with  a  wide  axis  terminating  obtusely  a  little  within  the  posterior  margin. 
The  axis  is  marked  by  five  rings,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones.     Lateral 


240  PALJSONTOLOGY. 

lobes  convex,  marked  by  three  or  four  divided  ribs,  exclusive  of  the  anterior 
single  one. 

Surface  of  the  head  and  cheeks  marked  by  fine  anastomosing  lines, 
radiating  from  the  eye  and  front  of  the  glabella. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  dark  greenish,  thinly-laminated  shales  of 
the  Quebec  group,  in  canon  above  Call's  Fort,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Col- 
lected by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  DIKELLOCEPHALUS  Owen. 

DiKELLOOEPHALUS  QUADRICEPS  U.  Sp. 
Plate  I,  fi«8.  37-40. 

Glabella  and  fixed  cheeks  united,  quadrangular  in  form,  with  a  regu- 
larly and  symmetrically  arcuate  front  margin.  Glabella  elongate  quad- 
rangular, a  little  expanded  and  rounded  in  front,  three-fourths  as  wide  across 
the  middle  as  the  length  above  the  occipital  furrow,  very  gibbous  or  some- 
what inflated;  marked  by  three  pairs  of  transverse  furrows,  which  extend 
about  three-fourths  of  the  distance  to  the  center,  not  in  the  least  oblique,  and 
so  faint  as  to  be  detected  only  on  the  closest  examination,  or  by  the  reflec- 
tion of  light  along  the  surface;  occipital  furrow  very  distinct;  ring  strong 
and  robust,  supporting  a  strong,  thickened  spine  of  undetermined  length  on 
the  posterior  margin.  The  base  of  the  spine  is  broad,  and  the  spine  directed 
backward  and  upward. 

Fixed  cheeks  of  moderate  size,  strongly  convex,  a  little  more  than  one- 
third  as  wide  at  the  eye  as  the  width  of  the  glabella,  and  rapidly  declining 
to  the  antero-lateral  angles.  Eye-lobes  small,  situated  rather  behind  the 
middle  of  the  length  of  the  head;  ocular  ridges  distinct,  strongly  directed 
forward  in  their  passage  from  the  eye  to  the  glabella.  Frontal  limb  very 
short,  not  extending  beyond  the  frontal  margin  of  the  glabella,  and  strongly 
curving  backward  to  the  point  of  intersection  with  the  facial  sutures. 

Facial  sutures  commencing  at  the  anterior  margin  on  a  line  with  the 
inner  angle  of  the  eye-lobe,  and  running  directly  back  to  the  eye  in  a 
straight  line;  behind  the  eye,  the  direction  is  outward,  but  its  exact  course 
has  not  been  ascertained.     Lateral  limb  not  observed. 

A  pygidium  associated  with  the  glabella  is  paraboloid  in  form,  and 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  SILURIAN.  241 

surrounded  on  the  margins  by  twelve  short,  rather  strong  spines,  the  four 
on  the  posterior  margin  being  shorter  than  the  others.  Axis  narrow,  highly 
convex,  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  shield,  and  marked  by  four  rings,  exclu- 
sive of  the  tei^minal  ones.  Lateral  lobes  broad,  convex,  and  marked  by  four 
low,  rounded  ribs,  the  anterior  one  much  narrower  than  the  others;  each  of 
the  four  ribs  terminating  in  one  of  the  lateral  spines. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  above-described  pygidium  belongs 
to  the  same  species  with  the  associated  glabella,  as  they  are  both  equally 
abundant,  and  are  the  only  trilobitic  remains  brought  from  the  locality, 
except  those  of  Conocephalites  suhcoronatus.  The  glabella  is  enlarged  to 
three  diameters  in  the  figure,  while  the  pygidium  is  given  natural  size,  but 
is  one  of  the  largest  individuals  seen;  while  there  are  fragments  of  glabellas 
in  the  rock  fully  twice  the  size  of  the  specimen  figured.  The  species  bears 
a  very  close  resemblance  to  D.  gothicuSy  herein  described,  but  differs  princi- 
pally in  the  simple  ribs;  while  in  that  species  they  are  divided,  a  feature 
that  will  very  readily  distinguish  the  two  forms. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  age  of  the  Quebec  group, 
from  the  base  of  Ute  Peak,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by  Arnold 
Hague,  esq. 

DiKELLOCEPHALUS   WAHSATCHENSIS  D.  Sp. 
Plate  I,  fig  35. 

Glabella  elongate-quadrangular,  with  parallel  lateral  margins  and 
slightly-rounded  front;  height  and  width  about  as  four  to  three;  very 
depressed-convex,  and  marked  by  two  pairs  of  transverse  furrows,  which 
do  not  quite  meet  in  the  center,  dividing  the  glabella  into  three  nearly 
equal  portions.  Occipital  furrow  naiTow,  not  strongly  defined ;  ring  nar- 
row, distinct,  and  bearing  a  slender  spine  on  the  center;  dorsal  furrows 
narrow  and  poorly  defined. 

Fixed  cheeks  wide  and  flattened ;  ocular  ridges  faintly  marked,  rising 
opposite  the  anterior  fun-ow  of  the  glabella,  and  directed  shghtly  backward 
to  the  eye-lobe.  Frontal  limb  very  short  and  wide,  the  marginal  rim  regu- 
larly arcuate,  narrow,  and  prominent,  closely  cutting  the  front  of  the 
glabella.  Facial  sutures  not  fully  determined,  but  are  distinct  on  the 
anterior  margin,  cutting  the  rim  with  a  strong  outward  curvature,  and  again 
16  P  R 


242  PALJilONTOLOGT. 

recurving  to  the  eye,  leaving  the  limb  nearly  two-thirds  as  wide  at  its 
widest  point  as  the  glabella. 

This  species  differs  from  any  other  described  in  the  length  of  the 
glabella  and  the  position  of  the  furrows,  in  the  short  frontal  limb,  and  great 
lateral  extension  of  the  same.  No  other  parts  of  the  species  have  been 
recognized.  There  are,  however,  several  specimens  of  a  pygidium  associ- 
ated in  the  same  slates,  and,  as  they  are  the  only  remains  of  Trilobites 
occurring  in  the  slates,  except  C,  (L.)  quadrans^  which  cannot  well  be  con- 
founded with  either,  it  would  be  natural  to  suppose  they  were  parts  of  the 
same  species.  But  the  characters  of  the  pygidium  are  so  unlike  anything 
heretofore  recognized  or  known  to  belong  to  the  genus  DikellocephaluSy  that 
we  have  great  doubt  of  their  generic  identity,  and  for  that  reason  have 
placed  them  under  different  specific  names  with  a  doubt  as  to  the  generic 
reference. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  green  argillaceous  slates  of  the  Quebec 
group,  in  the  canon  above  Call's  Fort,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Collected 
by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

DiKELLOOEPHALUS!  GOTHICUS  n.  Sp. 
Plate  I,  fig.  36. 

Pygidium  semi-ovate,  or  short  paraboloid,  with  a  very  strong  central 
axis,  and  spinose  margin ;  anterior  margin  straightened  for  about  two-thirds 
the  width  of  the  lateral  lobes,  where  it  curves  abruptly  backward  to  the 
lateral  angles.  Axial  lobe  strong,  cylindrical,  and  prominent,  forming  one- 
third  of  the  entire  width  exclusive  of  the  spines,  and  reaching  almost  to  the 
posterior  margin  of  the  shield ;  obtusely  rounded  at  the  extremity,  and 
marked  by  six  annulations  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones.  Lateral  lobes 
very  moderately  convex,  and  marked  by  four  divided  ribs  on  each  side, 
each  terminating  in  a  strong  and  proportionally  long  marginal  spine ;  central 
area  of  each  rib  depressed,  forming  a  flattened  groove,  extending  to  the  base 
of  the  marginal  spine.  Borders  of  the  ribs  elevated,  the  anterior  one 
strongest  and  prominent,  gi-adually  widening  from  its  origin  to  the  margin 
of  the  shield ;  posterior  border  narrow  and  rounded,  separated  from  the  next 
succeeding  rib  by^  sharply-depressed,  narrow  groove.     This  peculiar  form 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  SILURIAN.  243 

of  rib  gives  to  the  shield  an  appearance  similar  to  the  groining  of  a  Gothic 
arch.  Margin  of  the  shield  surrounded  by  twelve  long,  rather  strong 
spines,  four  of  which,  on  each  side,  are  about  equal  in  size  and  strength, 
while  the  four  occupying  the  posterior  border  are  shorter  and  unequal,  those 
in  the  middle  being  the  shortest. 

The  peculiar  feature  of  the  specimen  consists  in  the  divided  ribs  of  the 
lateral  lobes  and  spinose  margin.  In  these  features,  it  differs  from  all  others 
known,  and  may  possibly,  when  better  material  shall  be  examined,  showing 
other  parts  of  the  organism,  require  a  distinct  generic  name. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  greenish  argillaceous  slates  of  the  Quebec 
group,  in  the  canon  above  Call's  Fort,  north  of  Box  Elder  Canon,  Wahsatch 
Mountains,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  BATHYURUS  Billings. 

BATHYURUS  POGONIPENSIS  n.  sp. 
Plate  I,  figs.  33-34. 

The  species  is  recognized  only  by  the  pygidium,  which  is  rather  small, 
measuring  a  little  less  than  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  the  greatest  trans- 
verse width,  by  a  length  of  a  little  less  than  half  an  inch.  Form  transversely 
elliptical,  the  posterior  margin  nearly  twice  as  convex  as  the  anterior  border; 
lateral  extremities  angular ;  axis  narrow,  forming  only  about  one-fourth  of 
the  entire  width,  highly  convex,  and  about  three-fourths  as  long  as  the 
entire  shield,  extremity  obtusely  rounded  and  terminating  abruptly;  marked 
by  four  transverse  annulations  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones,  the  posterior 
one  being  as  long  as  the  two  next  preceding  it ;  rings  highly  convex  and 
rounded,  with  interspaces  of  nearly  equal  dimensions.  Lateral  lobes  broad 
and  somewhat  triangular;  the  inner  third  of  the  width  horizontal,  beyond 
which  the  surface  slopes  rapidly  to  the  outer  margin ;  marked  by  three 
broad,  slightly  flattened,  but  strong  and  very  distinct  ribs,  which  terminate 
about  one-third  of  the  width  within  the  margin,  leaving  a  plain  border  sur- 
rounding the  shield.  The  two  anterior  ribs  are  broad,  and  show  a  faint 
depression  along  the  middle  in  the  upper  part.  Surface  of  the  crust,  under 
an  ordinary  magnifying  power,  apparently  smooth,  except  on  the  crest  of 
the  axial  rings,  where  there  are  a  few  node-like  granules 


244  PALEONTOLOGY. 

The  pygidium  is  associated  with  a  granulose  glabella  of  corresponding 
dimensions,  which  is  too  imperfect  for  illustration  or  description,  but  prob- 
ably of  the  same  species.  The  sides  are  parallel  or  slightly  widening  ante- 
riorly, and  the  front  rounded.  The  entire  surface  is  covered  with  small, 
closely-set  pustules.  The  glabella  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  that 
of  J?,  strenuus  Bill.  (Pal.  Foss.  Canada,  vol.  1,  p.  204),  but  shows  indica- 
tions of  a  faint  glabellar  farrow  behind  the  middle  of  the  length. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  coarse,  crystalline  limestones,  on  the  west 
side  of  Pogonip  Mountain,  White  Pine,  Nevada.  Collected  by  A.  J. 
Brown,  esq. 

Genus  OGYGIA  Brongn. 

Ogygia  producta  n,  sp. 

Plate  II,  figs.  31-34. 

Glabella  very  much  elongated,  twice  as  long  as  wide,  measuring  from 
the  occipital  furrow;  slightly  expanded  in  front,  and  rounded  on  the  ante- 
rior extremity;  convex  and  subangular  along  the  median  line;  marked  by 
two  pairs  of  faint,  very  oblique  furrows,  which  do  not  quite  meet  in  the 
middle.  Occipital  furrow  broad  and  distinct;  ring  strongly  marked  and 
thickened  in  the  middle. 

Fixed  cheeks  of  moderate  width;  eye-lobes  large,  two-thirds  as  long 
as  the  glabella,  extending  from  the  occipital  furrow  to  the  middle  of  the 
anterior  lobe  of  the  glabella;  distinctly  marked  by  a  narrow,  depressed 
furrow  just  within  and  parallel  to  their  margins.  Lateral  limbs  narrow. 
Frontal  limb  unknown. 

Movable  cheeks  obliquely  triangular,  the  outer  face  being  much  the 
longest,  and  regularly  arcuate;  posterior  extremity  rounded,  showing  no 
evidence  of  a  spine  in  the  impression  of  the  under  surface,  though  the 
upper  portion  may  have  borne  a  spine,  as  seems  to  be  indicated  by  other 
impressions  of  the  exterior.  Ocular  sinus  very  large,  but  shallow,  regu- 
larly arcuate;  surface  of  the  cheek  depressed-convex,  with  a  faint,  shallow 
groove  just  within  the  margin  and  a  scarcely  thickened  rim  beyond. 

Thorax  depressed-convex,  distinctly  trilobed.  Axis  narrower  than  the 
lateral  lobes,  and  gradually  tapering  from  the  occipital  region  posteriorly,  and 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  SILURIAK  245 

slightly  convex;  annulations  indistinctly  marked.  Pleura  curving  backward 
near  the  outer  ends  and  pointed  at  the  extremity;  marked  along  the  middle 
by  a  broad,  shallow  furrow,  which  occupies  one-half  of  the  width  for  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  rib,  becoming  obsolete  near 
the  free  flattened  extremity. 

Pj'gidium  broadly  elhptical,  scarcely  twice  as  wide  as  long,  anterior 
face  much  less  convex  than  the  posterior,  which  sometimes  becomes  irregu- 
larly paraboloid  in  the  slate  from  distortion.  Axial  lobe  less  than  one-third 
of  the  entire  width,  and  rapidly  tapering  posteriorly ;  about  four-fifths  as 
long  as  the  shield,  and  terminating  just  within  the  rather  broad,  recurved 
marginal  lining  of  the  under  surface  in  an  obtusely-rounded  point ;  axis 
marked  by  six  strong,  rounded  rings,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  one ;  lateral 
lobes  depressed-convex,  marked  by  three  or  four  obscure  ribs,  which,  when 
compressed  in  the  slates,  become  very  faint  and  obscure. 

The  material  from  which  the  above  description  is  taken  is  in  a  very 
unsatisfactory  condition,  being  fragmentary  and  much  distorted  by  the 
slipping  and  contortions  of  the  shale  in  which  they  are  imbedded,  so  that 
the  features  of  form  as  here  given  may  be  somewhat  modified  on  finding 
other  and  more  perfect  material.  The  great  length  of  the  glabella  will  serve 
as  a  distinguishing  feature  in  the  identification  of  the  species. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  greenish  and  reddish  shales  of  the  age  of  the 
Quebec  group,  at  East  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected  by  J. 
E.  Clayton  and  S,  F.  Emmons, 

OaVGIA  PARABOLA   D.  Sp. 
Plate  II,  fig.  35. 

Pygidium  long-paraboloid,  posterior  to  the  antero-lateral  angles,  with 
a  slight  emargination  at  the  posterior  border ;  front  margin  somewhat  irreg- 
ularly arcuate ;  surface  flattened,  or  very  gently  convex,  and  in  the  cast 
showing  a  very  wide  marginal  lining  on  the  under  surface,  which  extends 
to  nearly  one-half  the  width  of  the  lateral  lobes  on  the  anterior  margin,  and 
very  gently  widening  posteriorly.  Axis  convex,  wide  and  bulbous  in  front, 
nan-owed  and  cylindrical  below  for  about  four-fifths  of  its  length;  the 
anterior  bulbous  portion  forming  a  single  strong  annulation,  once  and  a 


246  PALEONTOLOGY. 

half  as  wide  as  the  cylindrical  portion  below,  which  appears  to  be  smooth 
and  destitute  of  rings.  Lateral  lobes  also  marked  by  a  single,  wide,  flat- 
tened rib,  corresponding  to  the  annulation  of  the  axis,  and  a  nan'ow, 
sharply-elevated,  anterior  ridge,  corresponding  to  the  articulating  projection 
of  the  axis. 

The  pygidium  is  all  that  has  yet  been  recognized  of  this  peculiar  spe- 
cies, but  it  is  so  marked  in  its  characters  that  we  have  no  hesitation  in  pro- 
nouncing it  distinct  from  any  hitherto  described.  The  absence  of  rings 
on  so  great  a  length  of  the  axial  lobe  is  a  marked  and  distinguishing  feature. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  greenish  shales  of  the  age  of  the  Quebec 
group,  at  East  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons 
and  J.  E.  Clayton. 


FOSSILS    OF    THE    DEVONIAN. 

BRACHIOPODA. 

Genus  STROPHODONTA  Hall. 
Strophodonta  Canace. 

Plate  III,  figs.  1-3. 

Strophodonta  Canace  H.  &  W.,  23d  Kept.  St.  Cab.,  p.  23G,  pi.  11,  figs.  8-11. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  subquadrangular  in  outline,  wider  than  long; 
hinge-line  a  little  shorter  than  the  greatest  width  of  the  shell,  the  external 
border  very  gently  sloping  from  the  middle  to  the  extremities;  lateral  mar- 
gins and  basal  border  of  the  shell  somewhat  straightened,  and  the  angles 
rounded.  Ventral  valve  convex,  slightly  geniculated  near  the  middle  of  its 
length,  and  flattened  on  the  umbonal  disk;  cardinal  area  narrow,  sublinear 
or  moderately  decreasing  in  width  from  the  middle  outward,  vertically 
striated  or  crenulate  and  divided  in  the  center  by  a  nan-owly  triangular 
fissure.  Dorsal  valve  concave,  a  little  more  than  half  as  deep  as  the  con- 
vexity of  the  ventral;  area  very  narrow.  Surface  of  the  ventral  valve 
marked  by  strong,  sharp,  distant,  radiating  striae,  with  concave  interspaces, 
which  are  occupied  by  three  or  more  finer,  even  striae.     Surface  of  the 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  DEVONIAN,  247 

dorsal  valve  marked  by  fine,  even  striae.  The  specimen  measures  about 
seven-eighths  of  an  inch  in  length  by  a  little  more  than  an  inch  in  width; 
convexity  of  the  vdntral  valve  about  five-sixteenths  of  an  inch. 

The  specimen  possesses  all  the  essential  specific  characters  of  the  Iowa 
shells,  but  difiers  slightly  in  the  more  decidedly  quadrangular  outline.  This 
feature  alone,  however,  cannot  be  considered  of  specific  importance,  since, 
among  the  typical  specimens,  the  variation  in  this  respect  is  considerable. 

Formation  and  locality/, — In  limestone  of  Devonian  age,  at  Treasure  Hill, 
south  of  Aurora  Mine,  While  Pine,  Nevada.  Collected  by  Arnold  Hague, 
esq. 

Genus  EHYNCHONELLA  Fischer. 

Ehynchonella  Emmonsi  n.  sp. 

Plate  III,  figs.  4-8, 

Shell  rather  above  the  medium  size,  globosely  subcuboidal,  very  ven- 
tricose,  highly  gibbous  on  the  dorsal  side,  shallow  and  somewhat  flattened 
on  the  ventral  and  squarely  truncate  in  front;  cardinal  margin  broadly 
rounded,  the  small,  pointed,  ventral  beak  projecting  beyond  the  general  con- 
tour, and  having  the  appearance  of  a  small  cardinal  area  from  the  projection 
of  the  margin  of  the  foramen,  into  which  the  beak  of  the  dorsal  valve  passes; 
sides  of  the  shell  more  sharply  rounded  than  the  cardinal  border.  Front  of 
the  ventral  valve  abruptly  bent  upward  in  a  broad,  linguiform  extension, 
nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the  entire  height  of  the  shell,  and  almost  two-thirds 
as  wide  as  the  entire  width;  the  sides  of  the  extension  are  straight  and 
parallel  for  most  of  the  height,  the  top  being  broadly  and  evenly  rounded. 
Dorsal  valve  emarginate  in  front,  corresponding  with  the  extension  of  the 
ventral  valve. 

Surface  maited  by  from  twenty-three  to  twenty-five  low,  rounded, 
simple  plications  on  each  side  of  the  elevation  and  sinus,  and  about  fourteen 
on  the  elevation  of  the  dorsal  valve,  with  a  corresponding  number  on  the 
extension  of  the  ventral  valve. 

The  species  is  of  the  type  of  JR.  cuboides  of  Europe  and  R.  venusta  Hall, 
of  the  TuUy  limestone  of  New  York.  It  difiers  from  the  former  in  its  much 
less  cuboidal  form  and  broader  and  shorter  proportions,  and  from  the  latter 


248  PALJUONTOLOGY. 

in  the  same  particulars,  as  well  as  the  finer  and  more  numerous  plications, 
and  in  the  want-  of  the  flattening  of  these  latter  on  the  front  of  the  shell. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestones  of  Devonian  age,  south  of  Aurora 
Mine,  White  Pine,  Nevada.     Collected  by  Ai-nold  Hague,  esq. 

LAMELLIBRANOHIATA. 
Genus  PARACYCLAS  Hall 

rAEACYOLAS  PEROCCIDENS  D.  sp. 
Plate  III,  figs.  14-17. 

Shell  comparatively  large,  circular  in  outline,  with  scarcely  projecting, 
but  well-marked  beaks;  valves  ventricose,  somewhat  inflated  along  the 
strongly-curved  or  convex  umbonal  ridge;  cardinal  line  strongly  arcuate, 
but  becoming  slightly  alate  toward  the  posterior  end,  especially  perceptible 
on  the  internal  casts;  anterior  side  of  the  shell  marked  by  a  slight  constrict- 
ing sulcus,  or  depression,  extending  from  the  front  of  the  beaks  to  the  margin 
of  the  shell  just  below  the  middle  of  the  anterior  side,  strongly  reminding 
one  of  the  similar  constriction  on  many  of  the  recent  Lucinas;  beaks  pointed 
and  strongly  curving  forward,  situated  well  anteriorly.  On  the  internal 
casts,  the  muscular  impressions  are  large  and  strongly  marked,  the  posterior 
one  is  irregularly  quadrangular,  and  the  anterior  one  reniform,  widening 
below,  and  not  more  than  half  as  large  as  the  posterior;  pallial  line  consist- 
ing of  strong  longitudinal  pustules,  arranged  side  by  side. 

Surface  of  the  shell  somewhat  roughened  by  strong,  irregular,  but  not 
lamellose,  concentric  undulations  formed  by  aggregating  lines  of  growth. 

The  shell  diffors  from  any  form  previously  described  in  this  country  in 
the  presence  of  the  anterior  constriction,  but,  in  many  other  respects 
resembles  P.  elliptica  var.  occidentalis  H.  &  W.,  from  the  Upper  Helderberg 
limestones  of  Southern  Indiana. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  dark  limestone  of  Devonian  age,  at  Treasure 
Hill,  south  of  Aurora  Mine,  White  Pine.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  NUCULITES  Conrad. 

NUCULITES  TEIANGULUS  D.  sp, 
Plate  III,  figs.  12-13, 

Shell  comparatively  large  for  the  genus,  subtriangular  in  outline,  about 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  DEVONIAN.  249 

four-fifths  as  high  as  long;  valves  depressed-convex,  perhaps  partly  due  to 
compression;  beaks  large,  broad,  and  prominent,  situated  about  one-tWrd 
of  the  length  from  the  anterior  end;  posterior  cardinal  margin  rapidly  slop- 
ing to  below  the  middle  of  the  valve,  from  which  point  the  posterior  end 
rounds  forward  to  the  straight  basal  line;  anterior  end  rounded,  its  greatest 
length  being  much  below  the  middle  of  the  valve,  above  which  the  margin 
is  concave  to  just  below  the  beak.  Teeth  and  hinge  unknown.  On  remov- 
ing the  shell  from  a  portion  of  the  valve,  a  slight  impression  was  seen  on  the 
cast  anterior  to  the  beak,  resembling  that  left  by  the  removal  of  a  muscular 
clavicle,  or  ridge,  but  not  quite  satisfactory  in  its  character. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  only  by  moderately  strong,  irregular,  con- 
centric undulations. 

The  general  form  of  the  shell  is  much  like  that  of  N.  trtquetra  Con. 
from  the  Hamilton  group  of  New  York,  but  with  a  straighter  basal  line,  much 
larger  and  tumid  beaks,  and  of  very  much  greater  size  than  is  known  in  that 
species. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  the  lower  black  slates  of  the  White  Pine 
District,  near  Eberhardt  Mill.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  LUNULICARDIUM  Munster. 

LUNULICARDIUM  FRAGOSUM. 
Plate  II,  figs.  9-li. 

Posidonomyaf  fragosa,  Meek.    (Part  I,  page  92  aud  Plate.) 

The  specimens  figured  and  described  by  Mr.  Meek,  under  the  name 
Posidonomyaf  fragosa,  prove,  on  carefully  uncovering  the  cardinal  portions 
of  the  specimens,  to  belong  to  the  genus  Lunulicardium,  a  genus,  so  far  as 
we  are  aware,  that  has  only  been  recognized  in  rocks  of  Devonian  age, 
unless  the  genus  Ch(Bnocardia  M.  &  W.  should  prove  to  be  identical,  about 
which  we  have  some  doubt.  In  the  rocks  of  this  age  in  New  York,  it  has 
been  recognized  in  several  species,  ranging  from  the  Marcellus  shales  to  the 
Chemung  group  inclusive,  one  or  more  species  being  known  in  each  forma- 
tion. The  shells  are  readily  recognized  by  the  broadly  gaping  anterior  (?) 
end,  bordered  by  a  more  or  less  reflected  margin  or  flange-like  projecting 
border,  extending  from  the  beak  to  the  basal  margin,  which  we  presume  is 
analogous   to  the  byssal  opening  in   other  forms  of  shell.      The  species 


250  PALEONTOLOGY. 

under  consideration  shows  this  feature  on  several  specimens  in  the  collection 
in  a  somewhat  remarkable  degree.  The  flange  widens  and  is  somewhat 
roundly  pointed  in  some  cases  near  the  beak,  and  gradually  narrows 
below.  The  general  form  of  the  shell  is  obliquely  ovate,  widest  below, 
varying  much,  however,  in  different  examples.  The  substance  of  the  shell 
has  been  thin,  and  marked  by  comparatively  strong  concentric  undulations, 
but  without  other  surface-characters. 

Mr.  Meek's  figures  are  true  in  all  respects,  except  in  wanting  the 
flange-like  border ;  and  the  figures  given  on  plate  3  are  for  the  purpose  of 
illustrating  this  feature.  The  species  has  considerable  resemblance  to  L, 
fragilis  =  Avicula  fragilis  Hall  (Geol.  4th  Dis.  N.  Y.,  1843,  p.  222,  figs.  1-2) 
(fig.  2,  lac.  city  falsely  represents  a  posterior  wing),  from  the  Genesee  slate 
and  Portage  group  of  New  York,  but  differs  materially  in  the  greater  elonga- 
tion of  the  valves.  Examples  could,  however,  be  selected  from  among  the 
New  York  collections  that  would  exceed  in  length  the  shorter  form  from 
the  black  slates  of  the  White  Pine  District,  while  the  peculiarity  of  having 
the  flange  widening  near  the  beak  is  a  feature  noticed  only  in  that  species 
among  all  of  those  recognized  in  the  New  York  formations,  and  is  one  that 
shows  the  close  relations  of  the  two  species.  The  greater  proportional 
length  of  the  shells  of  this  one  will  serve  to  distinguish  them. 

GASTEROPODA. 

Genus  BELLEROPHON  Montf. 
Belleeophon  Keleus  n.  sp. 

Plate  III,  figs,  ld-20. 

Shell  rather  above  the  medium  size,  nearly  globular  in  form,  a  little 
wider  than  high.  Volutions  rounded  and  very  slightly  carinate  on  the 
back,  the  keel  showing  only  as  a  low,  rounded,  scarcel)^  elevated  band  on 
the  internal  cast  Lip  somewhat  expanded  laterally,  the  outer  axial  margin 
forming  a  strong  auriculation  on  each  side  of  the  shell ;  margin  of  the  lip 
bilobed,  deeply  and  broadly  notched  in  the  middle;  the  sides  of  the  notch 
moderately  expanding  at  first,  but  more  rapidly  above ;  lobes  of  the  lip 
rounded.     Umbilicus  closed,  but  on  the  internal  cast  showing  as  of  consid- 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  WAYERLY  GROUP.  251 

arable  width  from  the  great  thickness  of  the  shell.  The  inner  lip,  as  seen 
on  a  specimen  preserving  this  part  of  the  shell,  is  much  thickened  and 
forms  a  callus,  slightly  trilobate  and  strongly  modifying  the  form  of  the 
aperture.  Aperture  semilunate  or  reniform,  about  twice  as  wide  as  long. 
A  fragment  of  the  exterior  surface  preserved  is  covered  with  oblique  rows 
of  closely  crowded,  rounded  granules,  or  small  tubercles,  outside  of  the 
median  band ;  the  obliquity  of  the  rows  beiiig  caused  by  the  quincunx 
arrangement  of  the  tubercles.  The  form  and  ornamentation  of  the  revolv- 
ing median  band  has  not  been  fully  determined,  but  is  apparently  broad 
and  flattened,  with  retrally  curved  stride. 

The  species  very  closely  resembles,  and  is  probably  identical  with,  an 
undescribed  form  from  the  Chemung  group  of  New  York;  being  similar 
in  size,  form,  and  surface-markings,  as  well  as  in  the  solid  axis  and  form  of 
the  callus  of  the  inner  lip.  It  differs  in  the  surface-markings  from  any 
described  form  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  Devonian  age,  at  Treasure 
Hill,  south  of  Aurora  Mine,  White  Pine  District,  Nevada.  Associated 
with  Strophodonta  Canace,  Rhynchonella  Emmonsi,  Paracyclas  peroccidenSy 
and  other  Devonian  forms.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 


FOSSILS   OF    THE   WAVERLY   GEOUP. 

RADIATA. 

Genus  MICHELINA  D'Kon. 

MiCHELINA sp.  ?. 

Plate  IV,  fig.  19. 

Among  the  fossils  received  from  Dry  Canon  there  occurs  a  worn  speci- 
men of  this  genus,  composed  of  tubes  which  vary  from  an  eighth  of  an 
inch  in  diameter  to  nearly  or  quite  twice  that  size.  The  corallum  seems  to 
have  been  highly  convex,  but  not  hemispherical  in  form,  with  few  but 
rapidly  diverging  tubes  of  moderate  size.  The  specimen  is  imbedded  in  the 
rock  so  as  to  expose  the  lower  part  of  the  tubes  cut  transversely.  The 
walls  have  been  quite  thick  at  this  point,  but  become  much  more  attenuate 


252  PALJBONTOLOGY. 

or  even  quite  sharp  on  their  upper  edges.  The  specimen  is  in  such  a  state 
of  preservation  that  it  is  impossible  to  detect  the  specific  characters,  and  is 
chiefly  interesting  on  account  of  the  association  in  which  it  is  found.  The 
genus  MicJielina  is  not  common  in  this  country  in  rocks  above  the  Devonian, 
although  very  abundant  in  many  of  the  formations  of  that  series,  and  has 
been  recognized  in  several  species  in  the  Carboniferous  rocks  of  Europe. 
This  species,  therefore,  furnishes  another  instance  of  the  mingling  of 
Devonian  and  Carboniferous  forms  in  the  rocks  of  the  age  to  which  we 
suppose  these  to  belong  (viz,  Waverly  group),  showing  intimate  relations, 
if  not  absolute  transition  Avithout  break,  from  the  Devonian  to  the  Lower 
Carboniferous  in  several  widely  distant  parts  of  the  country. 

BRACHIOPODA. 
Genus  STREPTORHYNCHUS  King. 

'       STREPTORHYNCHUS    EQUIVALVIS. 
riate  IV,  figs,  1-2. 
Orthis  equivalvis  Hall,  Geol.  Eept.  Iowa,  vol.  1,  pt.  2,  p.  490,  pi.  2,  fig.  6. 

Specimens  of  a  species  of  StreptorhynchuSj  having  characters  very 
similar  to  many  of  those  occuringin  the  Burlington  sandstones,  occur  in  the 
rocks  of  this  formation  at  Ogden  and  Logan  Canons,  Wahsatch  Range, 
Utah.  The  shell  is  at  all  times  a  very  variable  one,  and  not  easily  deter- 
mined with  satisfaction.  The  specimen  representedby  fig.  1,  plate  IV,  is 
rather  wider  than  most  of  those  above  referred  to,  but  resembles  them  in 
form  except  in  this  particular,  and  in  want  of  the  sinus  which  often  marks 
them.  The  alternations  of  coarser  and  finer  strisB  is  a  common  character. 
The  specimen  represented  by  fig.  2  of  the  same  plate  is  also  a  not  unusual 
form,  although  shorter  than  the  generality  of  individuals.  The  specimen 
fig.  1  is  from  Ogden  Cafion,  and  fig.  2  from  Logan  Canon.  Collected  by 
S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

STREPTORHYNCHUS  INFLATtTS. 
Plate  IV,  fig.  3. 

Streptorhynchus  inflatus  White  &  Whitfield,  Troc.  Boat.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist ,  vol.  viii,  1862, 
p.  293. 
The  specimen  fig.  3,  plate  IV,  possesses  the  character  of  the  above-cited 
species  in  all  particulars  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained  from  the  specimen,  except 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  WAVBRLY  GROUP.  253 

lliat  it  is  a  little  wider,  but  not  sufficiently  so  to  be  considered  beyond  the 
limits  of  specific  variation.  The  shell  is  very  gibbous,  in  fact  quite  inflated 
in  form,  and  evenly  striate.  Other  individuals  show  the  large  cardinal 
process  known  to  exist  in  the  original,  and,  considering  the  extreme  varia- 
tions to  which  species  of  this  genus  are  subject,  we  see  no  reason  why  this 
should  be  considered  as  distinct  from  the  typical  forms. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestones  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group, 
at  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.    Collected  by  S.  F,  Emmons^  esq. 

Genus  STROPHOMENA  Eafinesque. 
Strophomena  khomboidalis  Wilckens. 

Plate  IV,  fig.  4. 

Forsynonyma  see  Palseont.  N.  Y.,  vol.  iv,  p.  76. 

The  examples  of  this  species  observed  present  a  broad  flattened  surface 
with  but  a  shght  geniculation,  the  flattened  portion  being  covered  by  close, 
rather  small,  or  narrow,  concentric  wrinkles,  which  are  crossed  by  fine  radiat- 
ing strise.  The  form  is  similar  to  those  found  in  the  yellow  sandstones  of 
Burlington,  Iowa.  The  straight  hinge-line  is  about  as  long  as  the  width  oi 
the  shell  below,  or  a  little  shorter,  and  the  length  of  the  shell  about  two- 
thirds  as  great  as  the  width.  The  geniculation  is  near  the  margin ;  the 
flattened  disk  occupying  almost  the  entire  extent  of  the  shell.  Only  the 
ventral  valve  has  been  observed. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly 
group,  Dry  Cation,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected  by  J.  E. 
Clayton,  esq. 

Genus  CHONETES  Fischer. 
Chonetes  Loganensis  n.  sp. 

Plate  IV,  fig.  9. 

Shell  of  moderate  size,  semicircular;  hinge-line  straight,  longer  than 
the  width  of  the  shell  below;  the  extremities  acutely  angular.  Ventral 
valve  convex,  with  a  slight  flattening,  scarcely  a  depression,  along  the  median 
line,  widening  gradually  toward  the  front;    sides  of  the  valve  rounded, 


254  PALJBONTOLOGT. 

becoming  flattened,  or  very  faintly  concave,  near  the  ninge-extremities; 
hinge-line  marked  by  three  or  four  very  short,  appressed  spines  on  each 
side  of  the  beak.  Dorsal  valve  and  area  of  the  ventral  unknown.  Surface 
marked  by  very  fine,  closely  crowded,  radiating  striae;  the  number  not 
determined,  owing  to  the  exfoliated  condition  of  the  shell. 

The  species  resembles  somewhat  C,  lUinoisensis  Worthen,  from  the 
Burlington  limestone,  in  the  size  and  convexity  of  the  valve,  and  also  in  the 
striae,  but  diflfers  in  the  greater  proportional  length  of  the  hinge-line  and 
in  the  flattening  of  the  mesial  portion. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group, 
at  Logan  Cafion,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  SPIRIFERA  Sow. 
Spieifeea  centronata. 

Plate  IV,  figs.  5-6. 
Spirifera  centronata  Wiuchell,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phil.,  1865,  p.  118. 

Shell  rather  below  the  medium  size,  transversely  elongate,  with  mncro- 
nate  extensions,  exclusive  of  which  the  front  margin  of  the  shell  forms  nearly 
a  semicircle,  the  length  from  beak  to  front  being  sometimes  greater  and 
sometimes  less  than  half  the  length  along  the  hinge.  Valves  convex,  the 
ventral  most  ventricose,  with  a  moderately  sized,  rather  pointed  beak,  which 
is  slightly  incurved  and  projecting  beyond  the  hinge-line.  Area  narrow; 
mesial  sinus  distinct,  narrow,  angularly  defined  at  the  margins,  and  extend- 
ing to  the  beak;  occupied  by  from  three  to  five  plications  near  the  front, 
formed  by  the  bifurcation  of  two,  which  originate  at  the  beak.  Sides  of  the 
shell  marked  by  from  twelve  to  eighteen  or  twenty  plications,  mostly  simple, 
but  sometimes  bifurcating.  The  plicatiojis  are  slender  and  rounded,  not 
very  angular.  Dorsal  valve  depressed- con  vex;  the  narrow  fold  well  defined, 
but  not  highly  elevated.  Minute  surface-characters  not  observed,  as  the 
^specimens  are  all  in  a  state  of  exfoliation. 

This  species  seems  to  be  a  common  form  in  the  rocks  near  the  base  of 
the  Wahsatch  limestone.  It  is  subject  to  some  variation  in  external  form 
and  number  of  plications,  but  is  readily  recognized  and  identified. 

Formation  and  locality. — ^Near'the  base  of  the  Wahsatch  limestone  (Wav- 


FOSSILS  OP  THE  WAVERLT  GROUP.  255 

erly?),  at  Dry  Cafion,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Logan  and  Ogden  Caiions, 
Wahsatch  Range,  Utah,  collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq.  We  have  also 
seen  several  specimens  of  it  in  collections  from  a  white  limestone  brought 
from  the  Black  Hills  by  Mr.  Gr.  Bird  Grinnell,  in  1874. 

Spirifera  Alba-pinensis  n.  8p. 

Plate  IV,  Aprs.  7-8. 
Compare  Spirifera  biplicatus  Hall,  Geol.  Kept.  Iowa,  vol.  1,  pt.  ii,  pi.  7,  fig.  5,  p.  519. 

Shell  rather  below  a  medium  size,  transversely  elongate,  greatly 
extended  on  the  hinge-line,  with  submucronate  extremities;  the  width  or 
length  along  the  hinge  equal  to  about  twice  the  length  from  beak  to  front. 
Ventral  valve  ventricose,  regularly  arcuate  from  beak  to  front,  the  margin 
of  the  valve  forming  nearly  a  semicircle  exclusive  of  the  hinge-extremities; 
beak  of  moderate  size,  incurved  and  pointed;  area  moderate;  a  narrow, 
rather  shallow,  and  not  distinctly  defined  mesial  sinus  marks  the  center  of 
the  valve,  and  is  bordered  on  each  side  by  a  broad,  rounded  plication,  much 
stronger  and  more  elevated  than  the  others,  and  which  is  divided  along  the 
middle  on  the  lower  half  of  the  shell  by  a  slightly  impressed  hne,  giving  it 
the  appearance  of  a  bifurcated  rib.  The  middle  of  the  sinus  is  sometimes 
smooth,  and  in  some  cases  marked  by  two  or  three  faint  plications,  which 
do  not  extend  beyond  the  anterior  half  of  the  shell.  Besides  the  strong 
plications  bordering  the  sinus,  there  are  from  fourteen  to  eighteen  low, 
rounded,  simple  plications  on  each  side,  six  or  eight  of  which  on  the  outer 
end  of  the  valve  are  often  very  obscure  and  sometimes  obsolete.  Dorsal 
valve  unknown. 

This  species  is  very  closely  related  to,  and  may  possibly  prove  to  be 
identical  with,  S.  Uplicatus  Hall  (loc.  cit)y  from  the  Burlington  sandstones  of 
Iowa,  but  it  appears  to  dijffer  in  not  possessing  the  central  depressed  line  on 
the  mesial  fold,  if  it  is  safe  to  rely  upon  the  evidence  furnished  by  the 
absence  of  a  corresponding  fold  in  the  sinus  of  the  ventral  valve  and  the 
presence  of  two  or  more  obscure  plications  in  its  place.  As  the  dorsal  valve 
has  not  been  observed,  although  several  ventrals  have  been  examined,  these 
differences  cannot  be  positively  affirmed. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestones   near  the   base  of  the  Wah- 


256  PALEONTOLOGY. 

satch  limestone,  at  Dry  Caiion,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Logan  and  Ogden 
Canons,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah,  and  from  a  band  of  chert  beneath  the  upper 
black  slates  of  the  White  Pine  District.  Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  S.  F. 
Emmons,  and  Arnold  Hague. 

Genus  ATHYRIS  McCoy. 
Athyris  Claytoni  n.  sp. 

Plate  IV,  figs.  15-17. 

Shell  of  moderate  size,  oval  or  very  slightly  ovate  in  general  outline 
when  viewed  from  the  dorsal  side,  the  entire  length  being  one-sixth  greater 
than  the  greatest  width,  and  the  rostral  half  of  the  shell  being  slightly  more 
attenuated  than  the  forward  part.  Valves  moderately  and  nearly  equally 
convex.  Dorsal  valve  nearly  circular  in  outline,  convex,  most  ventricose  in 
the  upper  part,  and  somewhat  angular  along  the  middle  throughout,  but  not 
forming  any  distinct  mesial  elevation;  beak  small,  incurved,  and  rather 
pointed,  the  apex  passing  within  the  fissure  of  the  opposite  valve.  Ventral 
valve  much  longer  than  the  dorsal,  the  rostral  half  very  ventricose,  but 
becoming  somewhat  flattened  on  the  antcro-median  portion,  without  forming 
a  distinct  sinus;  beak  large  and  tumid,  abruptly  curved  upward,  and 
rather  strongly  truncated  at  the  apex  on  a  line  with  the  plane  of  the  valves; 
cardinal  margins  strongly  inflected  or  enrolled,  almost  presenting  the  appear- 
ance of  a  cardinal  area,  but  without  any  defined  limits;  fissure  large, 
broadly  triangular,  and  partly  filled  by  the  dorsal  beak.  Surface  of  the 
valves  smooth,  except  a  few  strong  concentric  lines  marking  stages  of 
growth. 

The  species  is  peculiar  in  shape,  the  cardinal  portion  presenting  so 
much  the  appearance  of  a  species  of  Spirifer  of  the  type  of  S.  Maia  Bill., 
as  figured  in  Pal.  N.  Y.,  vol.  4,  pi.  63,  fig.  8,  as  to  be  readily  mistaken  for 
one  of  that  group;  but  the  entire  absence  of  a  defined  cardinal  area, 
together  with  the  perforated  beak,  readily  distinguishes  it  on  a  closer 
inspection.  The  absence  of  any  defined  mesial  fold  and  sinus  is  also  a 
good  specific  character. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  of  the  Lower  Carboniferous 
(Waverly?)  age,  Little  Cottonwood,  800  feet  east  of  Reed  and  Benson's 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  WAVERLY  GROUP.  257 

mine,  Wahsatcli  Eange,  Utah.  Named  in  honor  of  Prof.  J.  E.  Clayton,  of 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  use  of  the  speci- 
mens. 

Athyris  planosulcata?. 

Plate  IV,  figs.  10-11. 
Compare  Athyris  planosulcata  Phil.,  Geol.  Yorksbire,  vol.  ii,  p.  220,  fig.  15. 

A  small  species  of  Athyris  not  readily  identified  with  any  known 
species,  and  yet  so  closely  resembling  several  described  forms,  that  it  is 
difficult  to  cite  differences  which  would  distinguish  it  from  them,  occurs 
associated  with  the  fossils  described  from  the  Cottonwood  divide  It  is  of 
medium  size,  nearly  circular  in  outline,  with  ventricose  valves  and  destitute 
of  mesial  fold  or  sinus;  beaks  small,  that  of  the  ventral  valve  incurved  and 
but  slightly  truncated  by  the  small  foramen.  The  surface  of  the  shell  is 
smooth  except  from  concentric  lines  marking  stages  of  growth,  and  entirely 
destitute  of  any  marked  or  distinguishing  feature.  The  specimens  are  of 
the  size  and  general  appearance  of  those  usually  referred  to  A.  planosulcata 
Phil.,  and  from  its  lack  of  distinguishing  features  we  hesitate  to  refer  it  with 
certainty  to  any  known  species. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  the  Lower  Carboniferous 
(Waverly?)  age,  Cottonwood  divide,  800  feet  east  of  Reed  and  Benson's 
mine,  Wahsatch  Eange,  Utah.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Genus  RHYNCHONELLA,  Fischer. 
Rhynchonella  pustulosa  White?. 

Plate  IV,  figs.  12-14. 

Rhynchonella  pustulosa  White,  Jour.  Bost.  Soc.  Kat.  Hist,  vol.  viii,  p.  226. 

Shell  small,  transversely  subtrigonal,  with  a  broadly  rounded  front  and 
straightened  cardinal  slopes;  sides  of  the  shell  sharply  rounded;  beak 
pointed  and  projecting;  valves  ventricose,  the  dorsal  the  most  gibbous. 

Surface  marked  by  from  sixteen  to  twenty-two  simple  rounded  plica- 
tions, five  of  which  are  elevated  in  the  middle,  to  form  the  proportionally 
broad  mesial  elevation,   and  a  coiTesponding  number  depressed  on   the 
ventral  forming  the  sinus. 
17  P  R 


258  PALEONTOLOGY. 

The  specimens  of  this  species  seen  are  mostly  poor ;  one,  however,  pre- 
serves the  form  and  features,  with  but  little  or  no  distortion,  giving  the 
characters  as  above.  The  shell  varies  considerable  from  the  description  of 
Dr.  C.  A.  White ;  but,  on  comparison  with  a  group  of  several  individuals 
from  the  typical  locaUty,  sent  by  Dr.  White  as  of  that  species,  we  find  the 
variations  great  enough  to  include  specimens  departing  still  further  than 
these  here  referred.  The  minute  surface-structure  having  pustules  has  not 
been  observed  among  those  in  this  collection,  as  they  are  all  more  or  less 
exfoliated,  and  it  does  not  appear  to  be  commonly  preserved  on  those  from 
the  typical  locality.  The  greater  number  of  plications  would  seem  to  be 
a  distinguishing  feature,  but  eight  of  the  twenty-two  counted  occur  on  the 
cardinal  slopes,  where,  in  very  many  cases,  they  might  not  be  distinguish- 
able. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Waverly  group,  at  Logan 
Canon,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  TEREBRATULA  (Llhwyd.)  Brug.  ^ 
Terebratula  Utah  n.  sp. 

Plate  IV,  iig.  18. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  elongate-ovate,  the  greatest  width  opposite  the 
middle  of  the  dorsal  valve,  forward  of  which  point  the  sides  are  somewhat 
rapidly  contracted  to  the  rather  squarely  truncated  front  margin.  Valves 
ventricose,  the  ventral  more  gibbous  than  the  opposite.  Dorsal  valve  most 
ventricose  within  the  upper  third  of  the  valve ;  beak  small  and  sharply 
pointed  for  a  dorsal  beak,  scarcely  if  at  all  incurved.  Surface  of  the  shell 
smooth,  with  the  exception  of  several  rather  strong  concentric  lines  marking 
stages  of  growth.     Beak  of  ventral  valve  not  observed. 

The  shell  is  described  from  a  separate  dorsal  valve  and  a  partially  con- 
cealed ventral  valve,  but  the  form  of  the  shell  is  somewhat  different,  and 
the  proportions  unlike  any  other  known  from  rocks  of  a  corresponding  age. 

Formation  and  locality, — From  a  dark  limestone  of  Lower  Carboniferous 
age  (Waverly?),  on  the  Cottonwood  divide,  800  feet  east  of  Reed  and  Ben- 
son's mine,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  WAVEELY  GROUP.  259 

GASTEROPODA. 

Genus  EUOMPHALUS  Sow. 
EUOMPHALUS  (Straparollus)  Utahensis  d.  sp. 

PlatelV,  figs.  20-23. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  discoidal,  composed  of  about  four  volutions, 
which  are  coiled  nearly  or  quite  in  the  same  plane,  and  in  close  contact  with 
each  other,  but  not  embracing  or  overlapping,  and  but  moderately  increas- 
ing in  diameter  with  increased  growth.  On  the  upper  surface,  the  volutions 
are  marked,  near  the  middle  of  their  diameter,  by  a  narrow,  sharply  elevated 
band,  or  carina  ;  within  which  the  surface  slopes  rapidly  and  evenly  to  its 
contact  with  the  preceding  whorl;  outside  of  the  carina,  the  volution  is 
evenly  and  regularly  rounded  across  the  dorsum  and  to  the  edge  of  the 
broad,  open  umbilicus,  where  there  is  a  nearly  obsolete  angularity,  situated 
considerably  within  the  middle  of  the  volution ;  within  the  umbilicus  the 
surface  is  somewhat  evenly  rounded.  The  surface  of  contact  of  each  volu- 
tion with  the  preceding  one  is  very  narrow  and  slight,  leaving  the  inner 
ones  projecting  on  the  sides  of  the  shell,  exposing  the  greater  part  of  each 
volution. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  rather  distinct  transverse  lines  of 
growth,  which  are  sometimes  grouped  so  as  to  form  slight  transverse  undu- 
lations on  the  larger  part  of  the  shell.  These  lines  have  a  slight  outward 
convexity  on  that  portion  within  the  carina  of  the  upper  side,  and  on  the 
outer  portion  a  somewhat  retral  curvature  as  they  cross  the  body  of  the 
volution. 

The  species  is  of  the  type  of  Euomphahis  pentangularis  Sow.,  and 
somewhat  closely  resembles  S.  similis  var.  planus  M.  &  W.  (Geol.  Rept.  Ills., 
vol.  ii,  pi.  19,  fig.  5),  but  differs  in  the  sharp  carina  of  the  upper  side,  and  in 
having  the  volutions  coiled  more  decidedly  in  the  same  plane.  This  shell 
also  attains  a  much  greater  size  than  that  one  is  known  to  do ;  the  largest 
specimen  observed  having  a  diameter  of  nearly  an  inch  and  two-thirds. 
It  is  also  related  to  S.  planodorsatus  of  the  same  authors  (loc,  cit,  pi.  24, 
fig.  2),  but  is  readily  distinguished  by  the  form  of  the  upper  surface  of  the 
volution. 


2(50  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  near  the  base  of  the  Wahsatch 
limestone,  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group,  at  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mount- 
ains, Ogden  and  Logan  Canons,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by  J. 
E.  Clayton  and  S.  F.  Emmons. 

EUOMPHALUS  LAXUS. 
Plate  IV,  figs.  24-25. 

Euomphalus  laxm  White,  MSS.  Lieut.  Wheeler's  Eept^  of  Geograph.  and  Geol.  Surv, 
and  Expl.  W,  of  100th  Meridian. 

Shell  subdiscoidal;  the  height  of  the  spire  above  the  body  of  the  last 
volution  equal  to  from  one-third  to  about  one-half  its  diameter,  the  inner 
volutions  being  scarcely  elevated  above  the  general  plane.  Umbilicus 
broad  and  proportionally  deep,  exposing  all  the  inner  whorls.  Volutions 
three  or  more,  seldom,  however,  exceeding  four;  rather  slender  in  their 
proportions;  the  last  one  more  rapidly  increasing  in  size  than  the  others; 
obscurely  pentangular  in  transverse  section ;  the  periphery  being  obtusely 
angulated  just  below  the  middle,  slightly  flattened  above  the  angle,  and  dis- 
tinctly so  on  the  upper  surface.  The  lower  side  of  the  volution  is  gently 
rounded  on  the  outer  part,  but  more  sharply  curved  at  the  edge  of  the 
broad  open  umbilicus. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  distinct,  somewhat  irregular,  lines  of 
growth,  parallel  to  the  margin  of  the  aperture,  their  direction  being  nearly 
at  right  angles  to  the  axis  of  the  shell,  with  a  very  slight  sinuosity  as  they 
cross  the  upper  flattened  surface  of  the  volution. 

The  species  is  a  well-marked  one,  and  appears  to  be  quite  characteristic 
of  beds  near  the  lower  part  of  the  Wahsatch  limestone,  Wahsatch  Range, 
Utah.  It  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  specimens  of  E,  laxus  H.  from  the 
Burlington  limestones,  but  the  volutions  increase  much  more  rapidly,  and 
the  flattened  space  on  the  upper  side  is  narrower  in  proportion  to  the  diam- 
eter of  the  volution  than  in  those  specimens,  and  it  is  also  a  much  smaller 
form.  It  also  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  an  angulated  form  in  the 
Burlington  sandstones,  usually  referred  to  jEJ.  cyclostomus  H.,  but  probably 
distinct.  There  is  also  a  species  in  the  Chemung  group  of  New  York  very 
closely  resembling  this  one,  but  which  does  not  show  the  angularity  of  the 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  VVAVERLY  GROUP.  261 

periphery,  although  flattened  on  the  top  of  the  volution.  The  individual 
figured  is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  specimen  used  and  figured  by  Dr.  C. 
A.  White  in  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  Report  above  cited,  but  possesses  all  the 
characters  of  those  specimens. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestones  near  the  base  of  the  Wahsatch 
limestone,  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group  of  Ohio,  at  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh 
Mountains,  and  Logan  Cafion,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by  S. 
F.  Emmons  and  J.  E.  Clayton. 

EuoMPHALus  (Strap ABOLLus)  Ophiubnsis  n.  sp. 

Plato  IV,  figs.  26-27, 

Shell  of  medium  size,  broadly  conical  or  subtrochiform ;  height  equal 
to  two-thirds  the  greatest  transverse  diameter  of  the  base;  composed  of 
four  and  a  half  to  five  volutions,  which  are  closely  coiled,  so  as  to  rest  nearly 
upon  the  surface  of  the  succeeding  ones;  four  of  the  volutions  obliquely 
compressed  on  the  outer  upper  portion,  and  sharply  rounded  on  the  periphery 
and  below,  giving  a^  somewhat  convex  trochiform  aspect  to  the  coils. 
Umbilicus  broad  and  deep,  exposing  more  than  one-half  of  each  of  the 
preceding  whorls,  which  are  strongly  rounded  and  full.  Transverse  section 
of  the  volution  obliquely  and  irregularly  ovate,  narrow,  and  somewhat 
pointed  at  the  upper  end  at  the  junction  of  the  volutions,  rounded  on  the 
inner,  and  obliquely  flattened  or  depressed-convex  on  the  outer  surface. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  only  by  very  fine  transverse  lines  of 
growth,  which  have  a  slightly  backward  curvature  as  they  cross  the  volu- 
tion. 

This  species  has  something  of  the  form  and  general  appearance  of  S. 
umbilicus  M.  &  W.,  from  the  Coal-Measures  (see  Geol.  Rept.  Ills.,  vol.  ii,  pi. 
27,  fig.  1),  but  is  more  depressed  and. proportionally  broader,  without  the 
horizontal  flattening  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  volutions,  which  are  instead 
obliquely  compressed  nearly  in  the  direction  of  the  slope  of  the  spire. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group, 
at  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton. 


262  PALEONTOLOGY. 

CRUSTACEA. 

Genus  PROETUS  Stein. 
Proetus  peroccidens  n.  sp. 

Plate  IV,  figs.  28-32. 

One  of  the  most  persistent  and  characteristic  fossils  of  this  formation 
at  the  several  locaHties  where  it  has  been  recognized,  and  one  that  will 
probably  serve  to  identify  it  at  other  localities,  owing  to  its  marked  features, 
is  a  small  species  of  Trilobite  of  the  genus  Proetus.  Although  specimens 
of  the  pygidium  have  been  obtained  at  all  the  localities  yet  recognized,  no 
other  parts  of  the  animal  have  been  noticed  except  from  one  locality. 
These  were  collected,  and  sent,  among  other  species,  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  esq., 
of  Salt  Lake  City,  from  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  They 
consist  of  some  detached  and  imperfect  examples  of  the  glabella  and  cheeks; 
and  as  there  are  no  other  forms  of  Trilobites  yet  known  from  the  locality, 
and  these  occurring  in  the  same  blocks  with  the  pygidia,  it  is  reasonable  to 
infer  that  they  belong  to  the  same  species. 

The  glabella  is  conico-cylindrical  in  form,  once  and  a  half  as  long  as 
wide,  very  gently  narrowing  from  the  base  forward,  and  rounded-truncate 
in  front;  very  depressed-convex  throughout,  and  marked  by  four  pairs  of 
transverse  furrows;  the  posterior  ones  strongest,  curving  backward  at  their 
inner  ends,  nearly  surrounding  the  posterior  lobes,  forming  rounded  convex 
tubercles,  each  of  which  is  equal  in  width  to  one-third  that  of  the  entire 
glabella.  The  other  three  pairs  are  faintly  marked,  and  reach  nearly  one- 
third  across  the  glabella;  the  anterior  one  transverse  and  very  obscure, 
distant  from  the  anterior  end  of  the  glabella,  equal  to  its  width  at  the  furrow; 
second  and  third  pairs  distinct,  slightly  curving  backward  at  their  ends. 
Occipital  ring  narrow,  depressed-convex,  and  not  strongly  marked.  Fixed 
cheeks  narrow;  palpebral  lobe  small,  situated  a  little  more  than  one-third 
of  the  distance  from  the  posterior  border  of  the  head,  angular  in  outline. 
Frontal  border  thickened  and  rounded,  well  defined,  but  not  distinctly 
separated  from  the  glabella  in  front.  Posterior  lateral  limbs  not  preserved, 
but  narrow  at  their  junction  with  the  fixed  cheeks.  Suture-line  cutting  the 
frontal  margin,  with  a  slight  curvature  at  a  point  distant  from  the  sides  of 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  WAVEKLY  GROUP.  2(53 

the  glabella  equal  to  one-half  its  width  at  the  anterior  end,  and  rounding 
inward  with  a  gentle  curvature  to  the  anterior  side  of  the  palpebral  lobe, 
the  cheek  being  very  narrow  at  this  point,  thence  passing  along  the  top 
of  the  eye  to  the  junction  of  the  posterior  lateral  limb.  Surface  of  the 
glabella  and  cheeks  smootli,  except  a  few  granules  near  the  base  of  the 
glabella. 

Movable  cheeks  of  medium  size  in  proportion  to  the  glabella,  flattened 
convex  from  the  base  of  the  eye  to  the  narrow,  thickened,  and  chamfered 
marginal  rim;  occipital  furrow  narrow,  not  strongly  marked,  and  reaching 
nearly  to  the  depression  within  the  marginal  rim ;  posterior  angles  of  the 
cheeks  extending  backward  in  the  form  of  short  angular  spines. 

Thoracic  segments  unknown. 

Pygidium  paraboloid  in  outline,  highly  convex,  abruptly  so  at  the 
sides  and  posteriorly.  Axial  lobe  forming  a  little  less  than  one- third  of  the 
entire  width,  and  reaching  nearly  to  the  posterior  margin,  rounded  and 
strongly  elevated  throughout;  gradually  tapering  posteriorly  and  narrowly 
rounded  at  the  extremity;  marked  by  from  fifteen  to  seventeen  annulations 
in  different  individuals  exclusive  of  the  anterior  articulating  ring.  Lateral 
lobes  well  marked,  very  convex,  slightly  flattened  near  the  axis,  but  very 
abrupt  at  the  sides  and  behind ;  marked  by  from  fourteen  to  sixteen  very 
sharply  elevated  angular  ribs,  which  occupy  the  entire  border,  extending 
beyond  the  end  of  the  axial  lobe,  and  reaching  almost  to  the  margin,  leaving 
only  a  narrow  plain  space  at  the  edge..  The  surface  of  the  annulations  is 
marked  by  a  series  of  small  nodes,  or  pustules,  along  their  crests,  arranged 
in  four  longitudinal  rows  on  the  axial  rings,  and  an  indefinite  number, 
closely  arranged,  occur  on  those  of  the  lateral  lobes. 

The  species  in  some  of  its  features  resembles  P.  macrocephalus  Hall  of 
the  shales  of  the  Hamilton  group  of  New  York,. especially  in  the  markings  of 
the  pygidium ;  but  it  differs  in  the  more  elongate  form  and  number  of  ribs 
of  this  part,  while  the  glabella  is  proportionally  narrower  and  the  sides 
more  nearly  parallel ;  the  fixed  cheeks  and  anterior  border  are  narrower, 
and  the  movable  cheeks  terminate  in  spines,  which  is  not  the  case  with  that 
one.  The  surface  of  the  glabella  and  head  is  also  destitute  of  the  strong 
pustules  which  characterize  that  species. 


264  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  at  Ogden  and  Logan  Canons,  Wahsatch  Range, 
and  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons 
and  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Proetus  LoaANBNSis  n.  sp. 

Plate  IV,  fig.  33. 

The  pygidium  of  a  small  species  differing  very  materially  from  the 
preceding  occurs  at  Logan  Canon,  associated  with  that  one.  The  form  is 
more  nearly  semicircular,  being  but  very  slightly  paraboloid.  The  axial 
lobe  is  highly  convex,  rapidly  tapering  below  and  terminating  abruptly  a 
little  within  the  posterior  margin ;  anterior  end  forming  fully  one-third  of 
the  entire  width  of  the  shield.  Lateral  lobes  moderately  convex,  with  a 
slightly  thickened,  scarcely  elevated  border  of  moderate  width,  on  which 
the  ribs  become  nearly  obsolete.  Axial  lobe  marked  by  nine  rounded  and 
distinct  annulations,  exclusive  of  the  terminal  ones ;  strong  in  front  and 
rapidly  decreasing  in  size  posteriorly.  The  ribs  of  the  lateral  lobes  are  ten 
in- number  on  each  side;  simple,  highly  rounded,  and  continuing  entirely 
around  the  posterior  margin  of  the  shield,  the  most  posterior  ones  being 
very  faintly  marked. 

This  species  differs  conspicuously  from  the  corresponding  parts  of 
P.  peroccidens  in  its  shorter  form,  small  number  of  ribs,  and  in  being  desti- 
tute of  the  surface  ornamentation  which  characterizes  that  one. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  of  the  age  of  the  Waverly  group, 
at  Logan  Canon,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.    Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  CARBONIFEROUS.  265 

FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWEE  CAEBONIFEEOUS. 

BRACHIOPODA. 

Genus  ORTHIS  Dalman. 
Orthis  kesopinata  ?. 

Plate  5,  figs.  1-2. 

Orfhis  resupinata  Martin  sp. 

Shell  of  moderate  size,  transversely  elliptical  or  quadrate-elliptical; 
valves  ventricose,  the  dorsal  quite  rounded  and  almost  evenly  ventricose^, 
sometimes  a  little  fuller  on  the  umbone;  middle  of  the  valve  slightly- 
impressed  with  a  broad,  shallow,  mesial  sinus,  extending*  from  near  the  beak 
to  the  front  of  the  valve ;  beak  proportionally  large  and  full,  somewhat 
incurved,  and  projecting  beyond  the  line  of  the  hinge ;  area  moderately 
large,  extending  about  half  the  length  of  the  valve,  the  plane  of  its  surface 
nearly  in  the  direction  of  the  plane  of  the  valve.  Muscular  impression 
large,  extending  to  about  two-fifths  of  the  length  of  the  shell,  distinctly 
flabellate  and  lobed.  Ventral  valve  unknown.  Surface  marked  by  moder- 
ately strong,  rounded,  radiating  striae  and  concentric  lines  of  growth. 

The  species  is  represented  in  the  collection  only  by  dorsal  valves,  but 
the  specific  characters  are  unmistakable  and  easily  recognized.  ! 

Formation  and  locality. — In  Lower  Carboniferous  limestone,  near  the 
base  of  the  formation,  at  Dry  Caiion,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected 
by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Genus  PRODUCTUS  Sowerby. 
Productus  Flemingi  var.  Burlingtonensis  Hall 

Plate  5,  figs,  9-12. 

Productus  Flemingi  var.  Burlingtonemis  Hall,  Geol.  Eept.  Iowa,  vol.  i,  part  ii,  p.  698, 
pL  12,  fig.  3. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  wider  than  long;  height  and  length  subequal,  or 
a  little  longer  than  high,  except  in  old  individuals,  where  the  front  is  much 
produced,  giving  additional  height;  hinge-line  as  wide,  or  a  little  less  than 
the  width  of  the  shell  below.  Ventral  valve  strongly  arcuate,  more  abruptly 
curving  just  posterior  to  the  middle  of  the  valve;  auriculations  distinct  when 


26(5  PALJEONTOLGGY. 

well  preserved,  and  in  some  cases  strongly  separated  from  the  body  of  the 
valve;  sides  of  the  valve  a  little  straightened;  front  rounded  on  the  lateral 
portions,  but  strongly  emarginate  in  the  center  by  the  rather  strong,  some- 
times abruptly  depressed,  mesial  sinus,  which  extends  from  near  the  beak  to  ' 
the  front  of  the  shell;  beak  moderately  strong,  extending  beyond  the  hinge- 
line  and  incurved.  Dorsal  valve  nearly  flat  over  the  central  area,  with  a 
slight  concavity  in  the  region  of  the  beak,  the  margins  abruptly  geniculated 
to  conform  to  the  curvature  of  the  opposite  valve.  The  mesial  constriction 
is  as  strongly  marked,  but  a  little  wider  than  that  of  the  ventral  valve,  and 
extends  nearly  to  the  beak. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  rather  even,  rounded  striae  of  moderate 
strength,  except  near  the  front  of  the  shell,  where  they  become  indistinctly 
fasciculate  or  blended;  also,  on  the  rostfal  half  of  the  shell  by  numerous, 
distinct,  closely  arranged,  concentric,  undulating  wrinkles,  but  which  seldom 
extend  beyond  the  point  of  greatest  geniculation.  A  few  scattered  spines 
mark  the  front  and  sides  of  the  shell,  while  several  stronger  ones  are  observ- 
able on  the  cardinal  auriculations.  On  the  dorsal  valve,  the  concentric 
wrinkles  are  more  distinct,  and  occupy  the  entire  flattened  area  of  the  valve, 
while  the  radiating  strise  are  found  to  be  more  strongly  bifurcating. 

The  specimens  bear  a  very  close  resemblance  to  those  from  Burlington, 
Iowa,  in  their  general  form  and  characters.  There  are  a  few  unimportant 
differences  noticed,  but  not  such  as  can  be  considered  of  specific  importance. 
There  is  also  considerable  resemblance  to  Prod,  mesialis  Hall  (Greol.  Iowa, 
p.  636,  plate  19,  fig.  2);  but  that  shell  is  much  wider  in  proportion  to  the 
length  than  any  of  those  from  the  more  western  locality. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  dark-blue  limestone  of  Lowei:  Carboniferous 
age,  north  of  Snowstorm  Hill,  Dry  Cailon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Col- 
lected by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

PrODUCTUS  L^VICOSTUSi 
Plate  5,  figs.  7-8. 

Produotus  Icevicostus  White?,  Jour.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  1860,  p.  230. 

Shell  bdow  the  medium  size,  subtriangular  in  general  outline,  rapidly 
increasing  in  width  from  the  small,  narrow,  and  rather  pointed  beak  to  near 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWEE  CARBONIFEROUS.  267 

the  front  of  the  shell,  which  is  broadly  rounded  and  destitute  of  any  mesial 
depression;  hinge-line  short,  scarcely  more  than  half  as  wide  as  the  body  of 
the  shell.  Ventral  valve  strongly  arcuate  in  the  upper  part.  Dorsal  valve 
unknown. 

Surface  of  the  ventral  valve  covered  by  very  fine,  even,  rounded, 
thread-like  strise,  seven  to  eight  of  which  may  be  counted  in  the  space  of 
an  eighth  of  an  inch  on  the  front  of  the  shell,  but  are  much  finer  near  the 
beak.  The  striae  have  been  marked  by  numerous  fine,  slender  spines,  the 
bases  of  which  can  be  seen  protruding  through  a  portion  of  shale  adhering 
to  the  surface  of  one  of  the  specimens;  but  they  are  so  fine  as  to  make 
scarcely  any  perceptible  scar  on  the  surface  of  the  striae  when  denuded. 

The  species  is  of  the  general  form  of  many  of  those  usually  referred  to 
P.  Prattenanus  Norwood,  but  differs  materially  from  the  original  specimen 
used  and  figured  by  Dr.  Norwood  in  the  finer  striae  and  short  hinge-line. 
It  does  not  appear  to  be  positively  identical  with  any  of  the  forms  figured 
by  De  Koninck  as  P.  Cora,  but  is  a  very  closely  representative  species.* 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  in  the  higher  parts  of  the  Lower 
Carboniferous,  north  of  Snowstorm  Hill,  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains, 
Utah.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

PiioDuci'US  SEMiRETicuLATUS  Martm. 

Plato  5,  fi^s.  5-6. 

The  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  collection  have  very  much  the 
form  and  characters  of  those  of  the  species  which  occur  in  the  Burlington 
and  Keokuk  beds  in  Iowa  and  Illinois,  represented  by  the  specimen  figured 
in  the  Geological  Report  of  Iowa  (vol.  i,  part  2,  plate  19,  fig.  4),  except  that 
they  are  only  about  two-thirds  as  large  as  that  individual.  The  shell  is 
rather  narrow  and  strongly  arcuate;  the  beak  narrow  and  rather  pointed, 
and  distinctly  separated  from  the  body  of  the  shell;  the  hinge-line  appears 
to  have  been  about  equal  in  length  to  the  width  of  the  shell  below;  the 
sides  of  the  shell  abrupt,  flattened,  and  squarish,  while  the  middle  of  the 

*  The  original  specimen  of  P.  Iwvicostus  is  from  the  base  of  the  Lower  Carbon- 
iferous, and  from  the  beds  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  referred  to  the  Waverly  group;  but 
there  uie  forms  of  very  similar  character  in  other  beds  of  the  formations  at  other  places 
that  cannot  be  readily  distinguished  from  those  above  referred  to. 


268  PALEONTOLOGY. 

valve  is  marked  by  a  rather  distinct  depression,  extending  from  near  the 
beak  to  the  front  of  the  shell,  but  most  marked  on  the  middle  of  the  valve. 
The  striae  are  rather  coarse,  somewhat  irregular,  and  present  a  rugose, 
knotty  appearance;  while  the  upper  half  of  the  shell  is  very  distinctly 
marked  by  strong,  irregular,  concentric  wrinkles,  a  little  less  marked  in  the 
central  depression.  A  few  of  the  transverse  wrinkles  are  seen  marking  the 
front  half  of  the  shell  in  one  specimen,  and  are  broad  and  less  deep  than 
those  above. 

The  specimens  are  proportionally  longer  and  narrower  than  the  typical 
forms  of  P.  semireticulatm ;  but  the  form  is  such  a  variable  one  that  it  is 
somewhat  diiSficult  to  define  the  limits  of  its  characters. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  the  limestone  of  Lower  Carboniferous  age, 
north  of  Snowstorm  Hill,  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected 
by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Peoduotus  elegans. 

Plate  5,  figs.  3-4. 

Compare  Prodnctus  elegans  N.  &  P.,  Jour.  Acad.  Fat.  Sci.  Phila.,  iii,  p.  11,  fig.  7. 

There  are  two  specimens  of  a  Productus  associated  with  the  preceding, 
having  so  much  the  form  and  characters  of  P.  elegans  N.  &  P.,  that,  unless 
from  a  larger  number  of  individuals  other  and  different  features  shall  be 
obtained,  cannot  well  be  considered  as  distinct  from  that  one.  The  form  is 
narrow  in  the  upper  part,  the  hinge-line  shorter  than  the  width  of  the  shell 
below;  beak  rather  small  and  appressed;  auric ulations  not  very  marked ; 
ventral  valve  sharply  arcuate  above  and  gently  curving  throughout,  with  a 
slight,  scarcely  defined  depression  extending  from  beak  to  base.  Surface 
of  the  valve  marked  by  moderately  fine  but  distinctly  radiating  striae,  which, 
on  the  better  preserved  specimen,  have  an  irregular,  knotty  appearance, 
caused  by  the  thickening  of  the  stria3  at  the  spine-bases.  The  radiating 
striae  are  marked  by  very  fine  transverse  lines  of  growth  on  the  forward 
part  of  the  shell,  and  on  the  upper  part  of  the  beak  and  sides  of  the 
shell  a  few  obscure  transverse  wrinkles  may  be  detected. 

There  are  some  slight  differences  between  the  specimens,  one  of  them 
being  a  little  more  compressed,  giving  it  a  broader  form,  while  the  striae  are 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  LOWER  CARBONIFEROUS.  269 

a  little  finer  and  more  even  than  on  the  other ;  but  the  diiFerences  are  even 
less  than  occur  among  specimens  of  P,  elegans  from  the  typical  locality. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  Lower  Carboniferous  age,  north 
of  Snowstorm  Hill,  near  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected 
by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Genus  SPIRIFERA  Sowerby. 
Spieifeea  striata. 

Plate  V,  figs.  13-15, 
Anomites  striatus  Martin  ,•  Spirifer  striatus  Sowerby  and  others. 

Shell  rather  above  the  medium  size,  transversely  oval  or  semi-elliptical, 
the  hinge-extremities  either  rounded  or  slightly  extended  beyond  the  width 
of  the  shell  below.  Valves  moderately  convex,  or  in  some  cases  rather 
strongly  rounded;  the  ventral  valve  most  rotund  and  marked  by  a  broad 
mesial  depression,  the  margins  of  which  are  not  strongly  defined ;  front  of 
the  valve  in  the  depression  somewhat  extended  and  bent  upward;  beak 
small,  pointed,  and  closely  incurved ;  area  small,  poorly  defined,  the  mar- 
gins rounding  to  the  body  of  the  shell.  Dorsal  valve  most  ventricose  in 
the  upper  part ;  the  sides  gradually  sloping  to  the  margins,  and  the  center 
strongly  elevated,  forming  a  distinct,  sharply  rounded  mesial  fold,  which  is 
narrow  in  the  upper  part  but  expands  very  rapidly  as  it  approaches  the 
front  of  the  shell. 

Surface  of  the  valves  marked  by  moderately  strong,  radiating  plica- 
tions, which  are  distinct  and  subangular  on  the  upper  part  of  the  shell,  but 
frequently  bifurcate  and  become  flattened  toward  the  margin,  often  forming 
fascicles  of  three,  four,  or  more  on  the  extension  of  the  valves,  while  those 
near  the  middle  are  usually  in  pairs,  but  not  uncommonly  simple. 

The  species  is  extremely  variable  in  form  and  surface-markings  as  it 
occurs  in  the  collections  examined,  representing  two  quite  distinct  types, 
which  appear  to  characterize  two  diflferent  horizons  of  the  geological  section 
of  the  district  in  which  they  were  found.  Although  these  differences  are 
easily  detected  on  close  examination,  still  they  are  not  sufficiently  strong 
and  marked  to  be  considered  as  of  specific  or  even  varietal  importance, 
and,  in  their  extremes,  are  not  nearly  so  great  as  those  ascribed  to  the  species 


270  PALEONTOLOGY. 

by  European  authors.  The  specimens  from  the  lowest  horizon  are  gen- 
erally more  extended  on  the  hinge-line,  and  sometimes  quite  elongated; 
while  those  from  the  lower  beds  are  seldom  much  longer  than  the  width  of 
the  shell  below,  and  in  some  stages  of  gi'owth  appear  to  have  been  short 
and  rounded  at  the  cardinal  extremities.  There  is  also  a  perceptible 
difference  in  tlie  character  of  the  striae;  those  from  the  higher  beds  being 
more  finely  marked,  more  angular,  and  more  distinctly  fasciculate  than  the 
others. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Lower  Carboniferous  age, 
near  the  base  of  the  section,  at  Dry  Canon,  and  in  the  higher  beds  at  Snow- 
storm Hill,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Spirifera  setigera. 

Plate  5,  tigs.  17-ie. 
Spirifer  seiigeras  Hall,  Geol.  Eept.  Iowa,  vol.  1,  pt.  2,  p.  705,  pi.  27,  fig.  4. 

Shell  rather  below  the  medium  size,  transversely  oval  or  elliptical, 
with  ventricose  valves,  and  a  short,  scarcely  defined  hinge-line  and  rounded 
extremities.  Ventral  valve  more  ventricose  than  the  dorsal,  most  strongly 
arcuate  in  the  upper  part;  beak  small,  somewhat  pointed  and  strongly  or 
closely  incurved;  area  small,  the  margins  not  distinctly  defined,  but  rounded 
almost  imperceptibly  into  the  general  curvature  of  the  valve.  Center  of 
the  valve  marked  by  a  moderately  distinct,  but  narrow  mesial  depression, 
traceable  from  beak  to  base.  Dorsal  valve  rather  gently  and  evenly  convex, 
the  center  elevated  in  a  narrow,  not  distinctly  defined,  rounded  elevation 
corresponding  to  the  depression  of  the  opposite  valve. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  numerous,  rather  closely-arranged 
concentric  varices,  marking  stages  of  growth  at  irregular  distances,  and  also 
by  fine,  closely-arranged,  setose,  radiating  lines,  most  distinct  just  below 
each  concentric  line,  but  becoming  indistinct  before  reaching  the  next  one 
below.  These  lines  on  the  natural  surface  have  been  elevated  and  rounded, 
forming  spines  at  the  concentric  ridges,  but  on  the  exfoliated  surface  have 
the  appearance  of  interrupted  radiating  lines,  scarcely  raised  on  the  surface 
of  the  shell. 

The  specimen  figured  is  somewhat  imperfect  and  much  distorted  by 


FCSSILS  OP  THE  LOWER  CARBONIFEROUS.  271 

compression,   but  the  features  of  the  species  are   so  well  and  distinctly 
represented  on  it  that  it  is  impossible  to  doubt  its  identity. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  Lower  Carboniferous  age, 
north  of  Snowstorm  Hi'J,  Dry  Canon,  Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.  Collected 
by  J.  E.  Clayton. 

Spirifeea 8p.  ?. 

Plate  5,  fig.  16. 
Compare  Spirifera  imbrex  Udll,  Geol.  Iowa,  vol.  1,  pt.  ii,  p.  601,  pi.  13,  fig,  2. 

The  figure  is  of  a  fragment  of  a  cast  of  the  ventral  valve  in  chert,  from 
a  fragment  of  the  Weber  quartzite,  a  rock  usually  destitute  of  all  organic 
remains,  and  it  is  for  this  reason  only  that  the  specimen  has  been  figured. 
It  is  of  a  species  possessing  numerous  sharply-elevated,  angular  plications, 
simple  on  the  sides  of  the  shell,  and  apparently  bifurcating  in  the  mesial 
sinus;  although  the  example  does  not  furnish  positive  evidence  of  such 
bifurcations,  still  the  direction  and  number  would  indicate  such  to  be  the 
case.  The  plications  have  been  crossed  by  closely-arranged,  strong,  zigzag, 
concentric  lines;  which  give  a  strongly  roughened  surface  to  the  cast.  The 
only  species  having  strong  affinities  with  it  is  S,  imbrex  Hall  from  the  Bur- 
lington limestone  of  the  I^ower  Carboniferous  formations,  at  Burlington, 
Iowa  (Iowa  Geol.  Rept.,  vol.  1,  pt  ii,  p.  GOl,  pi.  13,  fig.  2),  and  it  is  even 
probable  that  it  may  be  identical;  but,  as  the  ventral  valve  of  that  species 
is  unknown  to  us,  we  are  unable  to  determine  positively.  The  plications 
of  that  species  often  bifurcate  on  the  upper  part  of  the  shell,  while  these 
are  simple;  but  this  feature  may  not  hold  good  on  all  specimens  of  the  same 
species  where  the  bifurcations  are  but  few. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  the  Weber  quartzite,  Bear  River,  Uinta 
Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  Clarence  King,  esq. 

Genus  ATHYRIS  McCoy. 
Athybis  subquadbata  1 

Plate  5,  figs.  19-20. 

Athyris  subquadrata  Hall,  Geol.  Iowa,  vol.  1,  pt.  ii,  p.  703,  pi.  27,  fig.  2. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  varying  from  irregularly  circular  to  distinctly 
quadrate  in  outline,  with  more  or  less  ventricose  valves;   length  usually 


272  PALAEONTOLOGY, 

somewhat  exceeding  the  width,  though  often  less;  point  of  greatest  width  a 
little  below  the  middle  of  the  shell,  the  margins  nearly  straight  from  this 
point  to  the  beak  above  and  to  the  *  front  below,  giving  the  quadrangular 
outline.  Dorsal  valve  ventricose,  more  distinctly  elevated  along  the  middle, 
forming  the  proportionally  narrow  mesial  fold,  which  is  often  more  sharply 
elevated  and  sometimes  prolonged  in  front.  Ventral  valve  marked  along 
the  center  with  a  narrow  depression,  corresponding  to  the  fold  on  the  dorsal 
valve,  but  narrower,  abruptly  marked,  and  extending  nearly  to  the  beak; 
body  of  the  valve  ventricose,  especially  in  the  upper  half;  beak  strong, 
sharply  incurved,  and  slightly  truncate. 

Surface  of  the  valves  marked  by  strong  concentric  lines  of  growth  at 
unequal  distances,  most  numerous  and  crowded  near  the  margin  of  the  shell. 

The  specimens  examined  are  all  more  or  less  imperfect  from  exfoliation; 
consequently,  the  true  surface-features  caAnot  be  ascertained.  The  species, 
however,  closely  resembles  specimens  of  ^.  siibquadrata  from  the  Chester 
limestones  of  Illinois  and  Kentucky,  differing  mostly  in  the  less  distinctly 
marked  and  narrower  mesial  depression  of  the  ventral  and  corresponding 
fold  of  the  dorsal  valve.  The  front  is  also  sometimes  much  produced,  but 
not  more  so  than  is  often  the  case  with  those.  The  species  as  found  at 
Chester,  Illinois,  and  elsewhere,  is  quite  variable,  and  among  twenty  or 
thirty  individuals  from  the  typical  localities  specimens  could  be  selected 
that  would  correspond  in  form  to  any  of  those  presented  in  this  collection. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  dark-colored  limestone  of  Lower  Carbonif- 
erous age;  the  Wahsatch  limestone,  at  Snowstorm  Hill,  near  Dry  Canon, 
Oquirrh  Mountains,  Utah.     Collected  by  J.  E.  Clayton,  of  Salt  Lake  City. 


COAL MBASUBE  AND  PERMOCARBONIFEROUS  FOSSILS.         273 

FOSSILS  OF  THE  COAL-MEASURES  AND  PERMO- 

CARBONIFEROUS. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 
Genus  AVICULOPECTEN  McCoy. 

AVIOULOPECTEN  WEBERENSIS  D.  sp. 
Plate  VI,  fig.  5. 

Shell  of  medium  size  or  smaller,  suborbicular  in  outline,  the  length 
and  height  being  subequal,  anterior  side  of  the  shell  larger  than  the  posterior, 
giving  a  slight  obliquity  to  the  valves;  hinge-line  straight,  nearly  two- thirds 
as  long  as  the  greatest  length  of  the  shell,  anterior  portion  forming  rather 
more  than  one-third  of  the  length.  Left  valvo  very  convex,  the  depth  equal 
to  about  one-third  the  height  when  not  compressed.  Auriculations  not  dis- 
tinctly limited,  anterior  one  small,  with  a  shallow  rounded  sinus  below, 
extremity  rounded;  posterior  side  of  moderate  size,  the  sinus  faintly  marked; 
extremity  obtusely  angular. 

Surface  marked  by  somewhat  irregular  radiating  costse,  which  vary 
much  in  size,  some  of  them  being  moderately  strong  and  distant,  with  from 
one  to  four  smaller  ones  between,  most  prominent  and  distinct  on  the 
median  portion  of  the  valve,  becoming  gradually  smaller  on  the  sides  and 
wings.  There  are  also  fine  concentric  striae  crossing  the  radii,  giving  a 
slightly  roughened  surface.     Right  valve  unknown. 

The  species  resembles  in  some  of  its  characters  many  of  those  referred 
to  Eumicrotis  Hawni  M:  &  H.,  but  diflFers  in  the  size  and  form  of  the  wings 
and  in  the  finer  radii  of  the  surface.  The  character  of  the  auriculations 
would  prevent  it  from  being  classed  as  Eumicrotis, 

Formation  and  locality. — ^In  limestones  of  the  Upper  Coal-Measures 
(Permo-Carboniferous),  foot-hills  southeast  of  Salt  Lake  City,  Wahsatch 
Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

AVICULOPECTEN  CURTOCAEDINALIS  n.  Sp. 
Plate  VI,  fig.  4. 

Shell  of  small  size,  broadly  ovate  in  outUne,  and  nearly  equilateral, 
widest  just  below  the  middle  of  the  height;  hinge-line  short,  not  exceeding 

18  PR 


274  PALEONTOLOGY. 

half  the  width  of  the  shell  below,  and  sloping  somewhat  rapidly  from  the 
center  to  the  extremities  on  each  side  of  the  beak.  Left  valve  highly  con- 
vex, becoming  almost  subangular  on  the  umbone;  auriculations  subequal, 
quite  small  and  indistinctly  separated  from  the  body  of  the  shell  by  very 
slight,  rounded  depressions,  extending  from  the  beak  to  the  margin  on  each 
side,  in  which  they  cause  slight  sinuosities,  the  anterior  one  most  distinct 
Beak  small,  somewhat  pointed,  and  slightly  projecting  beyond  the  cardinal 
line.  Surface  of  the  valve  marked  by  fine,  even,  rounded,  thread-like  radi- 
ating strise,  scarcely  visible  without  the  aid  of  a  lens;  also  by  finer  concen- 
tric lines.     Right  valve  not  observed. 

The  species  presents  much  the  appearance  of  many  forms  of  Lima,  and 
it  is  possible  it  should  be  so  referred ;  but  there  is  no  other  evidence  of  a 
cardinal  area  on  the  left  valve  than  the  sloping  of  the  hinge-line,  while  the 
wings  and  sinuosities  are  more  like  those  of  Aviculopecten. 

We  know  of  no  species  so  closely  related  to  this  one  as  to  be  readily 
mistaken. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Upper  Coal-Measures 
(Permo-Carboniferous),  foot-hills  southeast  of  Salt  Lake  City,  Wahsatch 
Range,  Utah.     S.  F.  Emmons,  collector. 

AVICULOPECTEN  PARVULUS  n.  sp. 
Plate  VI,  fig.  6. 

Shell  quite  small,  equilateral,  broadly  ovate  in  outline,  a  little  higher 
than  wide;  sides  and  base  rounded,  slightly  prolonged  on  the  postero-basal 
side,  and  obscurely  angular  near  the  middle  of  the  anterior  margin.  Hinge- 
line  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  greatest  width  of  the  shell,  longest  on  the 
anterior  side,  and  very  moderately  sloping  from  the  beak.  Left  valve 
highly  convex;  wings  moderate,  not  distinctly  separated  from  the  body  of 
the  shell;  anterior  one  largest,  the  margins  nearly  rectangular  to  each  other, 
the  sinus  scarcely  perceptible,  forming  only  a  broadly- curved  indentation 
below  the  angle;  posterior  wing  small,  the  .margins  forming  an  obtuse 
angle.  Surface  of  the  valve  highly  convex;  beak  small  and  obtusely 
pointed,  barely  projecting  beyond  the  cardinal  line.  Body  of  the  valve 
marked  by  alternating  larger  and  smaller  radii,  the  stronger  ones  extending 


COAL  MEASURE  AND  PEiRMO  CARBONIFEROUS  FOSSILS.        275 

to  the  beak,  while  th^  smaller  are  added  at  irregular  distances;  wings 
marked  by  finer  radii  of  nearly  equal  strength.  A  few  irregular  concentric 
undulations  cross  the  radii  at  unequal  distances.     Right  valve  unknown. 

This  species  differs  from  the  preceding  {A.  curtocardinalis)  in  the  stronger 
radii,  in  being  higher  in  proportion  to  the  width,  and  in  the  longer  hinge- 
line.  It  differs  from  A.  occidaricns  Meek,  plate  12,  fig.  13,  of  his  report, 
with  which  it  is  associated,  in  being  a  smaller  shell,  more  highly  convex, 
and  in  having  a  greater  number  of  strong  radii,  with  a  smaller  number  of 
intermediate  ones;  this  having  usually  but  one  instead  of  from  two  to  four, 
as  in  that  species. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  the  Upper  Coal-Measures 
(Permo-Carboniferous),  foot-hills  southeast  of  Salt  Lake  City,  Wahsatch 
Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  MYALINA  De  Koninck. 
Myalina  aviouloides. 

Plate  VI,  fig.  8.. 

Myalina  aviculoides  M.  &  H.,  Proc.  Acad.  N.  Sci.  Phil.,  May,  I860,  p.  184;  Pal.  Up. 
Mo.,  p.  51,  pi.  2,  fig.  8. 

Shell  of  rather  more  than  average  size,  mytiliform,  ovate  or  triangularly 
ovate  in  outline,  half  as  high  again  as  long;  beak  prolonged,  narrow,  and 
somewhat  curved;  body  of  the  shell  nearly  erect,  highly  convex,  and 
obtusely  angular  along  the  umbonal  ridge,  which  is  placed  near  the  anterior 
border  and  parallel  to  it;  anterior  face  of  thfe  shell  nearly  vertical;  posterior 
surface  rapidly  and  regularly  sloping  from  the  crest  of  the  ridge  to  the  pos- 
terior margin;  hinge-line  nearjy  as  long  as  the  shell  below  the  prolongation 
of  the  beak;  anterior  border  sinuous  above  and  nearly  rectangular  to  the 
hinge-line  below ;  base  naiTowly  rounded ;  posterior  margin  broadly  rounded. 
Surface  marked  by  rather  strong,  concentric  lines,  indicating  stages  of  growtL 

The  shell  is  somewhat  peculiar  for  the  form  of  the  beak,  which  is  slender 
and  greatly  prolonged  anteriorly  beyond  the  body  of  the  shell,  with  a  slightly 
upward  curvature  near  the  point.  It  is  also  remarkable  for  the  great  con- 
vexity of  the  valves  along  the  umbonal  ridge,  which  gives  an  almost  vertical 
anterior  face.     These  features  readily  distinguish  this  from  all  other  species. 


276  PALiBOKTOliOGY. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestones  of  Permo-Carboniferous  age,  foot- 
hills southeast  of  Salt  Lake  City,  Wahsatch  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by 

S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Myat.ina  Pebmiana. 

Plate  VI,- fig.  7. 
Mytilus  {Myalina)  Permianus  Swallow,  Trans.  St.  Louis  Acad.  Sci.,  vol.  1, 1858,  p.  17. 
Mytilus  (Myalina)  concavtis  (Swal.)  Meek,  ib.,  p.  18. 
Myalina  Permianus  (Swal.)  Meek,  Pal.  Missouri,  p.  52,  pi.  ii,  fig.  7. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  elongate  triangularly-ovate,  much  higher  than 
long,  suberect;  hinge-line  shorter  than  the  width  of  the  shell  below;  ante- 
rior margin  concave;  base  sharply  and  narrowly  rounded;  posterior  margin 
broadly  rounded,  sloping  abruptly  forward  in  the  upper  part  to  meet  the 
hinge-line,  considerably  contracting  the  length  of  the  shell  at  this  point. 
Surface  of  the  valves  highly  convex  near  the  front  border,  and  somewhat 
gradually  sloping  toward  the  posterior  margin;  umbonal  ridge  rounded; 
beaks  obtuse,  nearly  or  quite  terminal.  Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by 
concentric  lines  of  growth,  obscurely  preserved  on  the  casts. 

This  species  differs  from  the  last  (Jf.  aviculoides)^  with  which  it  is  asso- 
ciated, in  the  less  convexity  of  the  valves  and  more  rounded  umbonal  ridge, 
as  well  as  in  wanting  the  narrow  and  prolonged  beak  of  that  species.  The 
example  used  and  figured  differs  from  those  figured  by  Mr.  Meek  {loc.  cit.) 
only  in  having  the  hinge-line  a  little  shorter.  This  feature,  however,  varies 
much  among  the  specimens  in  the  collection. 

Formation  and  locality, — Occurs  with  the  preceding. 

Genus  SEDGEWICKIA  McCoy. 

SEtoaEWIOKIA  !  CON02LV A. 
Plate  VI,  flg.  3. 
Sedgewickiaf  <^mcava  Meek  &  Hayden,  Pal.  Up.  Missouri,  p.  41,  pi.  1,  fig.  8, 1864. 
Lyorma  conoam  M.  &  H.,  Trans.  Albany  Inst,  vol.  iv,  March,  1858. 

Among  specimens  on  a  yellowish-brown  sandy  shale  from  the  Wahsatch 
Mountains,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  is  one  so  nearly  resembling  the  figure  cited 
above  that  we  cannot  hesitate  in  considering  it  as  specifically  identical. 
The  specimen  is  about  one-third  longer  than  the  figure  cited,  being  about 
nine-tenths  of  an  inch  long.     The  form  is  transversely  elongate-elliptical, 


COAL  MEASURE  AND  PEBMO  OARrBO^IFEEODS  FOSSILS.         277 

a  little  more  than  twice  as  long  as  high,  with  the  posterior  extremity  rounded 
and  recurved;  beak  large,  prominent,  and  situated  at  about  the  anterior 
third  of  the  length;  anterior  end  rounded,  and  longest  below  the  middle; 
basal  line  slightly  convex,  more  abruptly  directed  upward  for  the  posterior 
third  of  its  length;  cardinal  line  concave;  valve  convex,  becoming  slightly 
more  compressed  posteriorly;  marked  by  slight  concentric  undulations  of 
growth  parallel  with  the  margins. 

Formation  and  locality. — Upper  Coal-Measures  (Permo-Carboniferous), 
foot-hills,  southeast  of  Salt  Lake  City,  Wah^atch  Range,  Utah.  Collected 
by  S.  F.  Emmons. 

Genus  CARDIOMORPHA  De  Koninck. 
Oabdiomorpha  Missoubh;nsis. 

Plate  VI,  figB.  1-2, 
Cardiomorpha  Missouriensis  Swallow,  Trans.  Acad.  Sei.  St.  Louis,  vol.  1,  p.  207,  1858. 

Shell  rather  below  the  medium  size,  transversely  elongate  and  sub- 
quadrangular  in  general  outline ;  valves  ventricose,  or  even  gibbous,  pre- 
senting an  almost  cylindrical  form,  Hinge-line  more  than  half  the  length  of 
the  shell,  very  slightly  arcuate  and  abruptly  rounding  into  the  posterior 
extremity,  which  is  obliquely  rounded,  and  longest  below ;  basal  margin 
nearly  straight  in  the  middle,  curving  more  abruptly  at  each  extremity; 
anterior  end  short,  rounded;  beaks  tumid  and  enrolled,  situated  rather 
within  the  anterior  third  of  the  length ;  umbonal  prominence  faintly  sub- 
angular;  cardinal  slope  narrow  and  abrupt.  Surface  of  the  shell  marked 
with  fine  concentric  strise  of  growth  and  stronger  undulations.  Substance 
of  the  shell  very  thin. 

The  specimens  described  differ  so  litttle  from  examples  of  the  species 
received  from  the Coal-Measuresof  Canton,  Illinois,  that- they  are  not  readily 
distinguished  when  placed  together;  the  most  marked  difference  being  the 
slightly  greater  length  of  the  anterior  end,  and  somewhat  more  prominent 
beaks.  The  shell  is  also  a  little  more  excavated  in  front  of  the  beaks ;  but 
these  differences  are  not  strong  enough  to  be  deemed  of  specific  importance. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  black  shale  of  Coal- Measure  age,  near 
Eberhardt  Mills,  White  Pine.     Collection  of  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 


278  PALiBOlfTOLOGT. 

CEPHALOPODA. 

Genus  CYRTOCERAS  Goldf. 
Cybtocbras  cbssatob  n.  sp. 

Plate  VI,  fig.  15. 

Shell  of  rather  small  size,  moderately  curving  throughout  its  length, 
and  rapidly  expanding  from  below  upward;  the  specimen  measured  showr 
ing  an  increase  of  diameter  from  less  than  half  an  inch  to  about  eight-tenths 
of  an  inch  in  a  length  of  only  about  nine-tenths  of  one  inch ;  section  circu- 
lar. Surface  marked  by  strong,  rather  distant,  rounded  annulations,  which 
are  separated  by  concave  interspaces.  The  annulations  are  directed  slightly 
upward  or  forward  in  crossing  the  back  of  the  shell,  and  become  gradually 
more  distant  with  the  increased  growth  of  the  individual ;  four  of  these 
annulations  occupy  a  length  of  the  shell  equal  to  its  diameter  at  the  upper- 
most of  those  counted.  Septa  equal  in  number  to  the  annulations,  their 
extreme  outer  margins  reaching  nearly  to  the  crest  of  the  ridges  in  some 
cases ;  others  are  more  distant.  Siphuncle  small,  submarginal,  situated  a 
little  to  the  right  of  the  dorsal  line  (perhaps  only  an  accidental  feature). 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  fine,  crowded,  thread-like,  encircling 
striae  on  both  ridges  and  interspaces. 

The  species  closely  resembles  in  many  of  its  characters  that  figured 
by  Meek  and  Worthen  (GeoL  Ills.,  vol.  ii,  plate  24,  fig.  3),  under  the  name 
of  Orthoceras  annulato-costatum^  but  differs  in  its  circular  section,  more  rapidly 
expanding  tube,  and  longitudinal  curvature.  The  latter  feature,  together 
with  the  dorsally-situated  siphuncle,  would  place  the  species  under  the 
genus  CyrtoceraSy  and  we  strongly  suspect  the  Illinois  shell  will  also  prove 
to  belong  to  the  same  genus  when  its  true  characters  are  ascertained.  The 
0.  Chester ensis  of  Swallow  (Trans.  St.  Louis  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  vol.  ii,  p.  98) 
is  still  further  removed  from  this  one  by  its  closely-arranged  annulations, 
though  it  is  not  stated  if  it  be  curved  or  straight. 

Formation  and  locality. — ^In  black  shales  of  probably  Coal-Measure  age, 
near  Eberhardt  Mill,  White  Pine,  Nevada;  associated  with  Goniatites  Kingii 
and  Cardiomorpha  Missouriensis.    Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 


COALMBASUEE  AND  PBRMO  OAEBONIPEROUS  FOSSILS.         279 
Genus  GONIATITES  De  Haan. 

GONIATITES  KiNail  11.  sp. 
Plate  VI,  figs.  9-14. 

Shell  rather  below  the  medium  size,  subglobose,  the  length  and  breadth 
being  about  as  three  to  two;  composed  of  from  four  to  six  volutions,  which 
are  broadly  rounded  over  the  dorsum  and  subangular  at  the  margin  of  the 
broad  open  umbilicus,  into  which  the  sides  slope  abruptly,  forming  an  angle 
of  about  forty-five  degrees  to  the  axis  of  tlie  shell.  Each  volution  em- 
braces the  preceding  one  to  near  the  lateral  angle,  leaving  a  very  narrow 
surface  exposed  within  the  umbilicus.  Extreme  width  of  the  volution  equal 
to  three  times  the  length,  measured  from  the  ventral  to  the  dorsal  surface, 
at  the  center  of  the  volution. 

Surface  of  the  shell  and  umbilicus  marked  by  fine,  subequal,  trans- 
verse lines  of  growth,  often  becoming  crowded,  and  forming  incipient  un- 
dulations on  the  back  of  the  shell.  Surface  of  the  internal  casts  sometimes 
marked  by  transverse  constrictions,  caused  by  the  thickening  of  the  inner 
surface  of  the  lip  at  stated  periods  of  growth,  as  if  for  the  purpose  of  strength- 
ening its  substance.  Two  of  these  constrictions  occur  in  the  space  of  one 
volution,  bringing  them  on  opposite  sides  of  the  cast.  Septa  rather  closely 
arranged  and  deeply  lobed.  The  dorsal  lobe  is  longer  than  wide,  and  deeply 
divided,  forming  two  long,  slender,  lanceolate  branches,  with  a  shorter,  trun- 
cated, central  projection;  dorsal  saddle  broadly  conical,  rounded  above,  and 
slightly  inclined  toward  the  dorsal  lobe;  lateral  lobes  as  long  as  the  dorsal 
saddle,  obconical,  pointed  at  the  lower  extremity;  lateral  saddles  broader 
and  shorter  than  the  dorsal  saddles.. 

The  shell  is  somewhat  remarkable  for  the  great  extent  of  the  outer 
chamber,  appearing  from  fractured  individuals  to  consist  of  two  complete 
volutions,  and  in  some  cases  even  more.  It  does  not  appear  to  attain  a  very 
large  size;  the  largest  fragment  observed  indicating  a  specimen  of  not  more 
than  two  inches  in  diameter. 

The  species  is  of  the  type  of  G,  spherictis  Sow.,  but  is  less  globose  and 
the  umbilicus  much  larger.  There  are  several  American  species  of  the  type 
known,  as  6r.  NoUnemis  Cox  and  (?.  globulus  and  G.  lowensis  M.  &  W.  from 


280  PALJBOKTOLOGY. 

the  Coal-Measvires,  but  our  shell  differs  from  all  of  them  in  the  proportionate 
size  of  the  whorls,  in  the  form  of  the  umbilicus,  and  in  the  form  and  dispo- 
sition of  the  septa  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  not  readily  mistaken. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  black  shale  of  the  Coal-Measures,  near 
Eberhardt  Mill,  White  Pine,  associated  with  Cyrtoceras  cessator  and  Cardio- 
morpha  Missouriemis.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 


FOSSILS   OF    THE   TRIASSIO   FORMATION. 

RADIATA. 

ECHINODERMATA. 
Genus  PENTACRINITES  Miller. 

PeNTACEINITES  ASTEBISCUSf. 
Plate  VI,  fig.  16. 

t  Pentacrinites  asteriscus  M.  &  H.,  Proc.  Acad.  N.  Sci.  Phil,  1858,  p.  49;  1860,  p.  419} 
Pal.  Up.  Missouri,  p.  67,  pi.  3,  fig.  2. 

Several  specimens  of  the  separated  disks  of  a  Pentacrinites  very  simi- 
lar in  character  to  P.  asteriscus  M.  &  H.,  but  diflfering  somewhat  in  form, 
but  more  particularly  in  their  larger  size,  have  been  noticed  among  the  col- 
lections from  Dun  Glen  Pass,  Pah-Ute  Range.  When  compared  with  speci- 
mens of  that  species  from  localities  of  Jurassic  age,  they  differ  slightly  in 
the  more  obtuse  points  of  the  star,  and  .the  filling  up  of  the  angles  between 
the  points,  and  also  in  the  broader  form  of  the  elliptical  figures  on  the  ar- 
ticulating surfaces  of  the  disks.  As  these  features,  however,  are  not  constant 
among  any  considerable  number  of  specimens  of  that  species,  even  when 
found  together  on  the  same  block,  we  hesitate  to  consider  them  of  specific 
importance.  The  large  size  is  the  most  noticeable  feature  of  these  speci- 
mens, some  of  which  exceed  one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  while  those 
of  that  species  seldom  reach  one-fifth  of  an  inch,  and  are  usually  much 
smaller.    It  is  possible  that  this  may  prove  to  be  a  very  distinct  form  wherr 


FOSSILS  OP  THE  TBIASSIO  FORMATION.  281 

more  and  better  material  shall  have  been  examined,  but  at  present  we  hesi- 
tate to  so  consider  it. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  supposed  Triassic  age,  asso- 
ciated with  Spiriferina  Horn  fray  i  and  Terehratula  Humboldtensis  Gabb.,  near 
Dim  Glen  Pass,  Pah-Ute  Range,  Nevada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

BRACHIOPODA. 

Genus  SPIRIFERINA  D'Orb. 

Spibifebina  Homfrayi  ?. 

Plate  VI,  fig.  18. 

t  Spirifer  Homfrayi  Gabb,  Geol.  Sur.  Gal.,  Pal.,  vol.  1,  p.  35,  pi.  6,  fig.  38. 

It  is  with  considerable  hesitation  that  we  refer  to  the  above  species 
some  very  imperfect  fragments  in  the  Dun  Glen  collections.  They  con- 
sist of  two  imperfect  dorsal  valves,  and  some  still  more  fragmentary  ventrals; 
the  lat|;er  altogether  too  imperfect  for  iUustration.  The  dorsal  valves  are 
depressed-convex,  with  slightly  rounded  cardinal  extremities;  the  mesial 
fold  is  simple,  broad,  and  rounded,  the  front  forming  a  little  more  than  one- 
fourth  of  the  entire  width  of  the  valve,  measured  along  the  hinge-line.  The 
sides  of  the  shell  are  each  marked  by  seven  or  eight  simple,  scarcely  angu- 
lar plications,  rapidly  decreasing  in  size  from  the  middle  outward;  front 
margin  nearly  semicircular  in  outline.  The  ventral  valve  has  been  erect 
and  pointed  at  the  beak;  the  plications  appear  more  angular  than  those  of 
the  dorsal,  and  the  area  of  considerable  height. 

The  specimens  are  badly  exfoliated,  thus  rendering  the  surface-charac- 
ters obscure.  The  texture  of  the  shell  cannot  be  distinctly  made  out,  but 
appears  to  have  been  punctate,  and  for  this  reason  we  have  classed  it 
under  the  genus  Spiriferina^  although  it  may  possibly  not  be  properly 
referred. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  dark-colored  limestone  of  Triassic  age,  one 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  Dun  Glen  Pass,  Pah-Ute  Range,  Nevada.  Col- 
lected by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Spibifeba  (Spibifebina  !)  Alia  n.  sp. 

Plate  VI,  fig.  17. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  transversely  broad-ovate ;  the  width  about  one- 


282  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

sixth  greater  than  the  length,  measuring  on  the  ventral  valve.  Valves 
rotund,  with  rounded  hinge-extremities.  Beak  of  the  ventral  valve  obtuse, 
incurved,  and  rounded;  area  of  only  moderate  height;  middle  of  the  valve 
marked  by  a  well-defined  mesial  depression,  the  front  of  which  is  equal  to 
more  than,  one-thii-d  of  the  entire  width  of  the  valve.  Dorsal  valve  not 
observed.  Surface  marked  by  numerous,  rather  fine,  slightly  angular,  radi- 
ating costsB,  which  do  not  appear  to  bifurcate  except  on  the  mesial  fold. 
There  are  eight  plications  marking  the  mesial  sinus,  near  the  front  margin, 
on  the  specimen  figured,  and  about  twenty  may  be  counted  on  each  side  of 
the  valve.     Interior  unknown. 

We  know  of  no  species  of  Spirifera  or  Spiriferina  in  rock  of  this  age 
resembling  the  one  under  consideration  or  with  which  it  can  be  confounded. 
The  substance  of  the  shell,  like  all  those  from  the  same  locality,  is  badly 
exfoliated,  and  has  apparently  undergone  some  change,  which  has  to  some 
extent  obliterated  the  natural  features,  so  that  we  are  not  able  to  say  defi- 
nitely if  it  be  punctate  or  not,  consequently  are  in  some  doubt  in  regard  to 
its  generic  relations. 

Formation  and  locality. — ^In  dark-colored  limestone  of  Triassic  age,  one 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  Dun  Glen  Pass,  Pah-Ute  Range,  Nevada.  Col- 
lected by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  TEREBRATULA  (Llhwyd.)  Brug. 
Tebebbatula.  Hxjmboldtensis. 

Plate  VI,  figs.  22-24. 
Terebratula  HumboldtenRis  Gabb,  Geol.  Survey  Oal.,  Pal.,  vol.  1,  p*  34,  plate  6,  flg.  35, 

Shell  of  medium  size,  elongate-oval  or  ovate,  widest  above  or  below 
the  middle  in  different  specimens;  front  of  the  shell  truncate,  marked  by  a 
simple  fold  and  sinus  on  the  front  margin,  or  by  a  double  fold  on  the  dorsal, 
with  a  sinus  between,  and  corresponding  elevation  and  depression  on  the  ven- 
tral side-  Ventral  valve  usually  slightly  flattened  across  the  middle;  beak 
strong  and  broad,  scarcely  incurved,  truncated  by  a  rather  large  perfora- 
tion; cardinal  borders  broad,  strongly  inflected  and  flattened,  so  as  to  form 
an  angularity  along  the  edge  of  the  bea£ 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  strong,  irregular,  concentric  varices  of 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  TRIASSIC  FOBMATION,  2^ 

growth,  but  without  other  visible  markings.  The  substance  of  the  shell 
appears  to  have  been  finely  punctate;  but,  owing  to  some  chemical  change, 
the  structure  is  usually  obliterated. 

The  species  is  a  very  variable  one,  both  in  general  form  and  in  the 
features  of  the  front  margin;  sometimes  being  entirely  plain,  or  having  a 
simple  elevation  and  sinus,  or  being  biplicate  on  the  dorsal  side,  and  appar- 
ently triplicate  on  the  ventral.  These  features  seldom  mark  the  young  or 
half-grown  shells,  and  on  the  older  specimens  are  usually  confined  to  the 
anterior  third  of  the  valves. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  of  Triassic  age,  near  Dun  Glen 
Pass,  Pah-Ute  Range,  Nievada.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

Genus  EDMONDIA  De  Koninck. 
Edmonbia  Myrina  n.  sp. 

Plate  VI,  fig.  19. 

Shell  rather  below  the  medium  size,  transversely  ovate,  the  length 
nearly  one-third  greater  than  the  height  exclusive  of  the  beaks.  Valves 
very  convex,  becoming  almost  inflated  near  the  anterior  end  and  on  the 
umbones;  beaks  proportionally  large  and  tumid,  situated  near  the  anterior 
end,  and  projecting  largely  above  the  hinge-line;  anterior  extremity  short 
and  rounded;  basal  line  gently  convex;  posterior  extremity  more  broadly 
rounded  than  the  anterior;  cardinal  line  nearly  two-thirds  the  length  of 
the  shell  and  gently  curved  throughout.  Surface  marked  by  obscure  lines 
of  growth;  interior  features  not  determined. 

The  specimens  consist  of  internal  casts,  preserving  but  fragments  of 
the  shell  in  a  highly  crystalline  condition,  and  do  not  reveal  the  true  sur- 
face of  tl>e  shell,  nor  the  exact  generic  relations  of  the  species. 

Formation  and  hcdlity. — In  limestone  of  Triassic  age,  at  Dun  Glen,  Pah- 
Ute  Range.     Collected  by  Arnold  Hague,  esq. 


284  PALEONTOLOGY. 

FOSSILS    OF    THE    JURASSIC    PERIOD. 

BRACHIOPODA. 
Genus  RHYNCHONELLA  Fischer. 

RHYNCHONBLLA  MyBINA  II.  sp. 
Plate  Vir,  figs.  1-5. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  very  broadly  ovate,  being  wider  than  long;  the 
greatest  diameter  below  the  middle,  valves  depressed-convex,  the  dorsal 
much  the  deepest  and  nearly  evenly  convex  from  beak  to  base,  and  also 
transversely.  Ventral  valve  somewhat  unevenly  convex,  slightly  flattened 
toward  the  sides,  and  moderately  depressed  in  front  to  form  the  proportion- 
ally broad  mesial  extension ;  beak  rather  large,  pointed,  strongly  curved 
upward,  and  projecting  considerably  beyond  the  dorsal  valve. 

Surface  marked  by  from  thirty-two  to  thirty-four  low,  rounded  plica- 
tions, eight  to  ten  of  which  are  elevated  on  the  dorsal  valve  forward  of  the 
middle  of  the  shell,  forming  the  rather  wide  but  only  moderately  elevated 
mesial  fold  and  a  corresponding  number  impressed  on  the  ventral  valve. 
Minute  surface-structure  of  the  shell  finely  but  evenly  marked  with  con- 
centric lines  of  growth. 

This  is  a  very  pretty  species,  and  is  characterized  by  the  moderately 
fine  plications  of  the  surface,  which  are  of  nearly  equal  strength  on  all 
parts  of  the  shell,  those  of  the  mesial  elevation  being  hardly  perceptibly 
larger  than  those  on  the  sides.  The  species  bears  considerable  resemblance 
to  Rhynchonella  variam  Schl.  of  the  Inferior  Oolite  from  Whitby,  England, 
but  differs  in  the  more  evenly  convex  valves  and  in  the  rounded  plications, 
those  of  that  species  being  slightly  angular  in  the  specimens  examined. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  light-colored  limestones  of  Jurassic  age,  at 
Flaming  Gorge,  Uinta  Range,  Utah. 

EHYNOHONELLA   aNATaOPHOBA  !. 
Plate  VII^  fig.  6. 
Rhynchonella  gnatlwphora  Meek  f ,  GeoL  Sarv.  Gal.,  Pal.,  vol.  1,  p.  39,  pi.  8,  fig.  1. 

A  few  individuals  referred  with  doubt  to  this  species  occur  in  the 
collections  from  Flaming  Gorge.     The  reference,  however,  is  very  unsatis- 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JURASSIC  PERIOD.  285 

factory,  and,  on  examining  specimens  of  that  species,  appears  even  more 
uncertain;  still,  the  differences  are  not  so  great  as  to  positively  preclude 
the  possibility  of  specific  identification.  The  individual  represented  on 
plate  7,  fig.  6,  is  perhaps  as  closely  related  to  Meek's  species  as  any  one 
seen,  but  differs  very  materially  in  the  strength  of  the  plications  on  the 
lateral  parts  of  the  shell,  there  being  from  two  to  four  on  each  side  more 
than  oil  the  most  finely  marked  individuals  referred  to  that  species  by  its 
author ;  the  shell  is  also  less  rotund  and  more  slender  and  delicate  in  habit. 

Genus  TEREBRATULA  (Llhwyd.)  Brug. 
Tebebratula  AuausTA  n.  sp. 

Plate  VII,  figs.  7-10. 

Shell  small,  broadly  ovate,  the  widest  part  being  a  little  below  the 
middle  of  the  length;  width  of  the  shell  less  than  the  length;  valves 
depressed-convex,  the  dorsal  sometimes  nearly  flat,  but  usually  two-thirds 
as  convex  as  the  ventral ;  beak  small,  minutely  perforate,  and  strongly 
incurved;  cardinal  slopes  angular;  margins  of  the  shell  acute.  Surface 
marked  by  lines  of  growth  without  perceptible  structure  except  the  very 
fine  punctae  of  the  shell. 

The  species  of  this  genus,  when  of  the  same  general  type,  are  so 
similar  that  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  point  out  specific  differences  or  insti- 
tute satisfactory  comparisons,  and  the  shells  now  under  consideration  belong 
to  a  form  which  is  so  often  repeated,  both  in  this  and  several  other  genera, 
that  it  would  be  useless  to  enter  into  any  discussion  of  Specific  characters ; 
therefore  we  shall  rely  upon  the  figures  to  tell  their  own  story. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  referred  to  the  Jurassic,  at 
Shoshone  Springs,  Augusta  Mountains,  Nevada. 

LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

Genus  OSTREA  Linn. 

OSTEEA  Sp.l. 

Plate  VII,  fig.  12. 

Compare  0.  Ungelmanni  Meek,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Set.  Phila.,  1860,  p.  311;  Pal.  Upper 
Missoari,  p.  73,  figs.  A  and  B. 

A  single  example,  an  impression  of  an  upper  valve,  found  associated 

with  the  following  species,  appears  to  be  entirely  distinct.     It  is  a  much 


286  PALiaiQNTOLOGY. 

larger  shell,  and  possesses  all  the  features  of  a  true  Ostrea,  The  form  is 
irregularly  ovate  in  outline,  moderately  convex,  and  slightly  curving  poste- 
riorly ;  length  and  breadth  about  as  four  to  three,  the  expansion  of  the 
valve  being  most  rapid  on  the  posterior  side  below  the  middle;  posterior 
border  concave  in  the  u|^r  pai^  and  idiarjdy  rounded  below ;  anterior 
border  r^fulariy  and  broadly  rounded ;  adductor  muscular  scar  small,  sub- 
marginal,  situated  above  the  middle  of  the  length;  the  area  embraced 
above  the  pallial  line  being  not  moFe  than  one-fourth  as  great  as  that 
below. 

The  specimen  under  consideration  was  at  first  supposed  to  be  the  young, 
or  a  small  individual,  of  0.  Engelmanni  Meek,  but  there  is  not  the  slightest 
evidence  of  plications,  the  shell  is  proportionally  longer,  and  the  muscular 
imprint  proportionally  smaller  and  more  nearly  submarginal;  yet  the 
resemblance  to  that  species  is  quite  strong,  and  it  is  possible  that  in  such 
variable  shells  such  changes  may  take  place  in  the  same  species. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  rocks  of  Jurassic  age,  northwest  of  Raw- 
lings  Station,  Wyoming. 

Genus  GRYPH^A  Lam. 

GEYPHJEA  CAtOEOLA  var.  Nebeascensis. 
Plate  VII,  fig.  11. 

Oryphasa  calceola  var.  Nebrascensis  M.  &  H.,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  18dl,  p.  437; 
Pal.  Upper  Missouri,  pp.  74-75,  pi.  3,  fig,  1. 

Among  the  Jurassic  fossils  of  the  collection  are  numbers  of  a  small 

Oyster-like  shell,  which  we  suppose  to  be  identical  with  many  of  those 

referred  to  the  above-named  variety  of  Quenstedt's  species  G.  calceola.    The 

specimens  are  mostly  small  and  of  variable  form,  the  prevailing  feature 

being  broadly  and  irregularly  reniform,  or  curved-ovate;    more  or  less 

truncate  at  the  posterior  end ;  the  smaller  valve  being  extremely  shallow 

and  scarcely  convex,  while  the  attached  valves  are  very  irregular  and 

variable  in  depth  and  convexity,  most  of  them  being  flattened  and  attached 

over  the  greater  part  of  their  extent,  with  the   edges  abruptly  curved 

upward,  to  give  the  requisite  depth,  others  scarcely  showing  any  mark  of 

attachment,  and  still  others  are  squarely  and  vertically  truncate  at  thb 

upper  extremity,  similar  to  those  represented  in  the  Pal.  Upper  Missouri, 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JDRASSIO  PERIOD.  287 

pi.  3,  figs.  1  6  and  c.  The  most  general  feature  seems  to  be  their  small 
size,  although  they  difier  in  this  respect,  for  while  the  majority  of  the  speci- 
mens range  from  half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  length,  other  examples 
are  found  attaining  a  length  of  an  inch  and  a  half. 

It  will  be  seen,  by  reference  to  the  remarks  of  Messrs.  Meek  &  Hayden 
on  this  species,  that  they  have  met  with  all  these  various  phases  and  varia- 
tions among  their  specimens,  although  they  speak  of  examples  of  much 
larger  size,  where  the  attached  valves  are  deep  and  strongly  arcuate,  with 
large,  strongly  incurved  beaks.  These  they  term  *' normal  forms"  of  the 
variety,  although  it  would  seem  that  from  some  of  their  localities  these 
forms  are  nearly  or  quite  absent,  and  that  the  flattened  forms  prevaiL 
Among  the  examples  examined  by  us  there  are  none  of  these  '*  normal 
forms",  but  all  are  of  the  megularly  convex,  the  squarely  truncate,  or  the 
flattened  forms  above  referred  to ;  and  it  seems  to  us  that  these  forms  are 
much  more  likely  to  prove  an  entirely  distinct  species  from  the  so-called 
"normal  forms"  than  that  they  are  merely  individual  differences.  In  fact, 
from  the  specimens  before  us,  and  from  the  figures  above  referred  to,  it 
appears  that  there  is  but  little  reason  for  considering  the  forms  under  con- 
sideration as  belonging  to  any  other  genus  than  Ostrea ;  while  those 
referred  to  as  '^normal  forms"  are  unquestionably  txMQ  Gryphcda.^ 

In  the  flattened  and  almost  wholly  attached  examples,  the  form  and 
characters  are  so  exactly  similar  to  Ostrea  congesta  Conrad,  from  the  Creta- 
ceotis  formations,  that  it  is  nearly  or  quite  impossible  to  say  wherein  they 
differ,  except,  perhaps,  that  they  are  not  so  gregarious  or  so  densely  packed 
together  as  that  species  often  is. 

Formation  and  locality, ^Au  shaly  limestone  of  Jurassic  age,  at  Sheep 
Creek,  Uinta  Range,  Utah,  associated  with  Camptonectes  bellistriatus,  Penta- 
crinites  asteriscuSj  <fec.;  and  on  Ashley  Creek,  Uinta  Range,  associated  with 
Camptonectes?  extenuatuSy  Bellemnites  densaj  &c.  Collected  by  S,  F.  Em- 
mons, esq. 

♦  Since  the  above  paragraph  was  written,  Dr.  0.  A.  White  has  described  these 
small  shallow  forms  under  the  name  Ostrea  strigilecula  (see  Pal.  Bep.  Geograph.  and 
Geol.  Surv.  and  Expl.  West  of  100th  Merid.,  Lieut.  Wheeler  in  charge,  by  0.  A  .White, 
p.  163,  pi.  xiii,  fig.  3). 


28a  PALEONTOLOGY. 

Genus  AVICULOPECTEN  McCoy. 

AVICULOPECTEN  (EUMICKOTIS  ?)  AUOUSTENSIS  n.  Sp. 
Plate  vil,  figs,  14-16, 

Shdl  small,  broadly  ovate,  higher  than  wide ;  length  of  the  hinge  equal 
to  about  half  the  height  of  the  shell,  the  anterior  side  straight  and  forming 
two-thirds  of  the  entire  length,  posterior  side  slightly  declining  from  the 
beak;  left  valve  moderately  convex,  most  prominent  on  the  umbone;  beak 
small,  obtusely  pointed  and  but  slightly  projecting  beyond  the'  hinge-line; 
auriculations  depressed,  but  not  distinctly  separated  from  the  body  of  the 
shell,  the  anterior  one  of  moderate  size,  posterior  one  quite  small.  Surface  of 
the  valve  marked  by  simple  rounded  ribs  of  equal  strength,  except  pn  the. 
left  auriculation,  where  they  are  finer,  somewhat  corrugated,  and  strongly 
curved  upward  to  the  margin.  Right  valve  flat  or  very  slightly  convex; 
beak  depressed  and  not  extending  beyond  the  hinge-line;  ears  much  more 
distinctly  marked  than  on  the  left  valve,  the  lines  separating  them  from  the 
body  of  the  shell,  strong,  nearly  straight,  and  rapidly  diverging  from  the 
beak,  inclosing  an  angle  of  about  ninety  degrees;  anterior  auriculation. 
large,  rounding  inward  from  the  extremity.  Bj^ssal  notch  more  than  a  third 
as  deep  as  the  length  of  the  ear,  broad  and  rounded  at  the  bottom.  Surface- 
markings  similar  to  those  of  the  opposite  valve. 

The  specimens  from  which  the  description  is  taken  are  slightly  exfoliated 
and  do  not  present  the  natural  surface-markings;  but  another  fragment 
j)resenting  a  weathered  surface  shows  concentric  strise,  which  are  strongly 
vaulted  in  crossing  the  radii,  but  not  distinctly  marked  in  the  depressions. 

The  species  has  much  resemblance,  especially  the  left  valve,  to  many 
of  those  referred  by  Mr.  Meek  to  his  genus  JEumicrotis,  in  general  form  and 
surface-markings,  but  differs  strongly  in  the  large  anterior  auriculation  and 
byssal  notch  of  the  right  valve,  con'esponding  in  this  respect  more  nearly 
with  Aviculopecteny  and  we  -are  undecided  as  to  which  genus  they  ought 
properly  to  be  referred. 

Formation  and  hcality.-r-ln  limestone  referred  to  the  Jurassic,  Shoshone 
Springs,  Augusta  Mountains.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JURASSIC  PERIOD.  289 

Genus  EUMICROTIS  Meek. 

EUMICEOTIS  CURTA. 
Plate  VII,  ^g.  24. 

Avicula  curia  Hall,  Stans.  Rept.  Salt  Lake,  p.  412,  ph  2,  fig.  L 

Avicula  {Monotis)  tenuicostattis  M.  &  H.,  Proc.  A.  N.  Sci.  Phil.,  1858,  p.  60. 

Monotis  curta  M.  &  H.,  Proc.  A.  N.  Sci.  Phil.,  1860,  p.  418. 

Eumicrotis  curta  M.  &  H.,  Smithsonian  Check-List  N.  Am.  Invert.  Foss.,  18G4. 

Uumicrotis  curta  M.  &  H.,  Pal.  Upper  Missouri,  p.  81,  pi.  3,  fig.  10. 

Shell  small,  suborbicular  or  obliquely  ovate,  a  little  higher  than  long, 
or  height  and  length  subequal;  valves  convex,  the  left  one  the  most  rotund. 
Hinge-line  short,  compressed  behind  and  forming  a  small,  obtusely-angular 
wing;  anterior  side  very  short,  scarcely  forming  a  wing,  the  anterior  margin 
rounding  nearly  to  the  beak;  posterior  margin  gradually  sloping  backward 
from  the  extremity  of  the  hinge  to  a  point  below  the  middle  of  the  valve, 
whence  it  is  rather  sharply  rounded  to  the  junction  with  the  basal  line.  Base 
slightly  prolonged  on  the  posterior  side  of  the  median  line,  giving  a  little 
obliquity  to  the  shell.  Right  valve  apparently  less  convex  than  the  left. 
Surface  marked  by  distinct  radiating  lines  or  ribs,  which  are  narrower 
than  the  spaces  between,  and  usually  become  obscure  or  obsolete  before 
reaching  the  beaks.  On  the  right  valve,  the  radii  are  much  less  strongly 
marked,  while  the  concentric  stride  become  more  distinct. 

Among  a  large  number  of  specimens  there  are  no  right  valves  in  a  con- 
dition to  show  the  hinge-features  or  byssal  notch,  and  we  are  therefore  left 
somewhat  in  doubt  concerning  these  features.  The  shells  appear  to  possess 
all  the  essential  characters  of  E,  curta,  but  vary  so  much  among  themselves 
as  to  give  rise  to  some  doubt. 

Formation  and  locality/. — In  calcareous  beds  of  Jurassic  age,  above  the 
gypsum  beds  at  Ashley  Creek,  Uinta  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by  S.  F. 
Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  CAMPTONECTES  Agassiz. 
Camptonectes  bellisteiatus  Meek, 

Plate  VII,  fig.  13. 

Camptonectes  bellistriatus  Meek,  Pal.  Upper  Missouri  (Smithsonian  Contributions  to 
Knowledge),  p.  77,  figs.  A~D. 

** Shell  very  thin,  compressed-lenticular,  suborbicular  in  outline;  valves 
19  P  R 


290  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

nearly  equally  convex;  liinge-line  equaling  two-fifths  to  one-half  the  trans- 
verse diameter  of  the  valves;  posterior  ear  very  short,  or  nearly  obsolete, 
flat,  and  obliquely  truncated;  anterior  ear  larger,  flattened,  and  marked  by 
rather  distinct  lines  of  growth  in  the  right  valve,  separated  from  the  adjacent 
margin  by  a  more  or  less  angular  sinus,  one-third  to  one-half  as  deep  as  the 
length  of  the  ear,  measuring  from  the  beak.  Surface  striae  very  fine,  regu- 
lar, sharply  impressed,  and  increasing  in  number  by  the  intercalation  of 
others  between  as  they  diverge  in  extending  from  the  umbonal  region,  so 
strongly  arched  as  to  run  out  on  the  hinge-line  near  the  beaks;  concentric 
striae  fine,  regular,  closely  an-anged,  and  often  nearly  or  quite  obsolete  on 
the  impressed  spaces  between  the  impressed  radiating  striae,  to  which  latter 
they  impart  a  subpunctate  appearance." 

The  above  is  a  transcript  of  Mr,  Meek's  description  of  this  species. 
Although  there  are  quite  a  number  of  specimens  in  the  collection  which  are 
referable  to  it,  there  are  none  which  give  the  entire  characters  of  the  shell; 
nor  are  there  any  from  which  a  figure  could  be  made  without  some  resto- 
ration. Still  the  characters  of  the  species  are,  nevertheless,  shown  so  dis- 
tinctly as  to  leave  no  doubt  as  to  the  correct  reference.  The  specimens 
are  generally  smaller  than  the  figures  given  by  Mr.  Meek,  and  some  of 
them  are  a  little  more  oblique  in  outline,  while  the  characters  of  the  sur- 
face vary  from  being  nearly  smooth  to  those  strongly  cancellated;  while 
on  some  the  concentric  striae  are  strongest,  and  on  others  nearly  obsolete. 

,  Formation  and  locality. — Jurassic;  specimens  have  been  recognized  from 
northwest  of  Rawlings  Station,  Wyoming,  and  from  Sheep  Creek,  and 
Flaming  Gorge,  Uinta  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Camptonectes  extenuatus  Meek. 

Plate  VII,  fig.  18. 

Ca7nptonecte8  f  ecctennaim  Meek.  Pal.  Upper  Missouri  (Smitbsoniau  Contributions  to 

Knowledge),  p.  78. 
Camptonectes  f  perienuis  M,^  ib.,  pi.  iii,  explanations  of  fig.  6, 

Shell  small,  erect,  bi^oadly  ovate,  a  little  higher  than  wide,  the  point  of 
greatest  width  being  near  the  middle  of  the  shell;  hinge-line  short,  about 
half  as  long  as  the  width  of  the  valve;  ears  small,  the  anterior  one  slightly 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JURASSIC  PERIOD.  291 

obtuse  at  the  outer  angle,  the  posterior  margin  sloping  gently  backward 
toward  the  body  of  the  shell,  the  posterior  wing  not  fully  determined.  Body 
of  the  (right  ?)  valve  convex,  most  prominent,  and  almost  subangular  toward 
the  \imbo;  beak  small,  pointed,  scarcely  projecting  beyond  the  hinge-line; 
margin  of  the  shell  broadly  rounded  anteriorly  and  posteriorly,  and  some- 
what acutely  rounded  at  the  base. 

Surface  of  the  valve  in  the  specimen  seen  marked  by  fine,  concentric, 
impressed  lines,  and  by  stronger  radiating  lines.  These  latter  seem  to  be 
composed  of  rows  of  fine  dots,  or  punctures,  and  are  strongly  divergent,  so 
as  to  curve  abruptly  upward  toward  the  margin  on  the  sides  of  the  valve, 
the  increase  being  entirely  by  interstitial  addition. 

The  shell  diflfers  from  C  bellistriata  Meek  in  its  smaller  size,  convex 
valves,  more  erect  form,  and  in  the  proportional  height  and  width  of  the 
valve,  this  being  higher  than  wide,  while  the  reverse  is  true  of  the  other. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  is  the  shell  to  which  Mr.  Meek  gave 
the  above  names,  although  he  had  not  seen  the  radiating  strise  of  the 
surface  so  plainly  as  to  feel  sure  of  their  existence.  On  the  specimen  used 
in  the  above  description,  the  striae  are  very  distinct,  and  have  exactly  the 
character  of  that  of  C,  bellistriata;  consequently,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of 
its  correct  reference  to  the  genus  CamptonedeSj  although  in  our  specimens 
the  anterior  wing  and  sinus  have  not  been  satisfactorily  determined,  that 
part  in  the  figure  having  to  be  made  from  analogy. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  light-colored  shales  of  Jurassic  age,  north- 
west of  Rawlings  Station,  Wyoming. 

Camptonectes  pertenuisteiatus  n.  sp. 

Plate  VII,  fig.  17. 

Shell  small,  very  broadly  ovate,  the  point  of  greatest  width  being  about 
the  middle  of  the  length,  width  equal  to  about  four-fifths  of  the  height; 
base  and  sides  of  the  shell  regularly  rounded.  Right  valve  very  depressed- 
convex  or  almost  flattened;  hinge-line  short,  the  anterior  side  equal  to  a 
little  more  than  one-third  of  the  width  of  the  valve  below;  posterior  side 
unknown,  the  specimen  being  mutilated  in  this  part.  Beak  small,  pointed, 
not  rising  above  the  line  of  the  hinge;  cardinal  slopes  nearly  straight  from 


292  PALJilONTOLOGY. 

the  beak  to  a  little  above  the  middle  of  the  length,  and  embracing  an  angle 
of  about  ninety  degrees;  anterior  wing  nan^ow,  separated  from  the  body  of 
the  shell  by  a  deep,  sharply  rounded  notch,  which  extends  about  half-way 
to  the  center  of  the  valve;  a  strongly-depressed  sinus  passes  from  the  base 
of  the  notch  to  the  beak,  separating  the  upper  part  of  the  wing  from  the 
body  of  the  shell. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  rather  distinct,  concentric  lines  of 
growth,  which  are  crossed  by  exceedingly  fine,  radiating  strise,  imperceptible 
except  by  the  aid  of  a  lens.  The  striae  diverge  rapidly  from  the  median 
line,  and  curve  upward  rather  more  strongly  toward  the  sides  of  the  shell 

The  shell  differs  from  C,  ?  extenuatus  Meek  and  Hay  den  (Pal.  Upper 
Missouri,  p.  78,  plate  iii,  fig.  6)  in  its  more  attenuated  beak,  flattened  valve, 
finer  strict,  and  more  elongate  form. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestone  of  Jurassic  age,  northwest  of 
Rawlings  Station,  Wyoming. 

Genus  LIMA  Brug. 
Lima  (Plagiostoma)  occidentalis  n.  sp. 

Plate  VII,  fig.  23. 

Shell  of  medium  size  or  smaller,  very  broadly  ovate,  the  height  slightly 
exceeding  the  greatest  width;  widest  point  about  one-third  of  the  height 
from  the  basal  extremity,  below  which  the  margin  is  regularly  and  evenly 
rounded,  and  above  the  posterior  border  is  more  rapidly  rounded  and  con- 
tracted to  the  extremity  of  the  short  hinge-line,  with  which  it  blends  with- 
out perceptible  angle.  Valves  strongly  convex,  most  ventricose  near  the 
middle  of  the  anterior  border,  from  which  point  the  surface  declines  to  the 
postero-cardinal  and  postero-basal  margins;  beaks  apparently  small,  incon- 
spicuous, and  somewhat  appressed  (?).  Anterior  wing  minute,  posterior 
wing  small,  but  alated,  not  distinctly  separated  from  the  body  of  the  shell; 
ligamental  area  not  observed.  Anterior  border  of  the  shell  strongly  con- 
cave, the  concavity  extending  more  than  half  the  height  of  the  shell. 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked  by  simple,  strong,  rounded  radii,  about 
sixty  in  number,  posterior  to  the  junction  of  the  anterior  and  basal  borders, 
with  a  few  incipient  radii  observable  on  the  anterior  slope.     The  radii  are 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JURASSIC  PERIOD.  203 

strongest  near  the  middle  of  the  basal  border,  and  decrease  very  slightly  in 
size  anterior  to  this  point;  but  posteriorly  they  decrease  more  rapidly,  and 
on  and  near  the  posterior  alation  are  quite  fine-  Interspaces  narrow  and 
concave. 

This  species  is  closely  allied  to  Lima  lineata  Gold.  (=  Plagiosfoma  lineata 
of  authors,)  but  differs  in  being  more  regularly  rounded  on  the  basal  and  pos- 
tero-basal  borders,  as  well  as  in  being  more  erect,  that  species  having  con- 
siderable obliquity,  the  longest  point  of  the  base  being  much  nearer  the 
anterior  side.  The  beak  is  also  shorter,  and  not  nearly  so  prominent,  and 
the  greatest  convexity  of  the  shell  nearer  the  anterior  margin,  while  that 
one  is  most  prominent  near  the  middle  of  the  valve,  and  nearly  evenly 
rounded  in  both  directions  from  this  point.  The  posterior  wing  of  this 
species  is  more  alate  than  in  that  one,  and  more  finely  ribbed,  giving  about 
fifteen  additional  ribs  over  and  above  the  number  counted  on  that  species. 
This  character  is  perhaps  the  most  distinctly  marked  feature  of  the  species, 
and  one  that  will  serve  to  readily  distinguish  them,  although  the  general 
resemblance  of  the  shells  is  very  great. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  cherty  limestones  of  Jurassic  age,  at  Flam- 
ing Gorge,  Uinta  Range,  Utah.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  TRIGONIA  Brug. 
Trigonia  quadrangulaeis  n.  sp. 

Plate  VII,  fig.  22. 

Shell  small,  subquadrangular  in  outline,  with  depressed  convex  valves 
and  flattened  inconspicuous  beaks;  length  of  the  shell  a  little  greater  than 
the  height;  anterior  end  broad  and  rather  squarely  truncate:  the  margin 
but  slightly  rounded;  basal  line  somewhat  straightened  or  but  slightly  con- 
vex, more  strongly  rounded  behind;  posterior  end  obliquely  truncate,  long- 
est below;  cardinal  border  short,  not  more  than  two-thirds  the  length  of 
the  valve,  very  little  concave,  and  subparallel  with  the  basal  margin. 

Surface  of  the  valve  marked  by  a  flattened,  distinctly  elevated  ridge, 
which  rises  from  behind  the  beaks,  and  passes  along  the  umbonal  slope, 
extending  beyond  the  posterior  margin  of  the  valve  in  a  squarish  projec- 
tion, equal  in  extent  to  the  elevation  of  the  ridge.     Above  the  ridge,  the 


294  PALEONTOLOGY. 

cardinal  slope  is  narrow  and  depressed,  marked  only  by  transverse  lines  of 
growth.  The  surface  of  the  ridge  is  marked  by  irregular  transverse  lines 
of  nodes.  The  body  of  the  shell  is  marked  by  a  series  of  low,  rounded 
ridges  or  undulations,  which  originate  in  a  point  at  the  edge  of  the  flattened 
umbonal  ridge,  and  extend  in  the  direction  of  the  postero-basal  angle  of  the 
shell,  where  they  are  again  bent  forward,  forming  a  series  of  acute  angles 
marking  the  umbonal  line  of  the  shell,  and  are  directed  with  a  sKghtly 
downward  tendency  to  the  anterior  margin.  Along  the  umbonal  ridge  of 
the  valv^e  the  undulations  are  broad  and  rounded,  becoming  narrow  again 
in  their  anterior  extension. 

The  strong  undulations  of  the  body  of  the  shell  of  this  species  is  a 
distingxiishing  feature,  and  one  by  which  it  will  be  readily  recognized.  It 
differs  greatly  in  this  feature  from  T.  Conradi  M.  and  H.  (Pal.  Upper  Missouri, 
p.  83,  pi.  3,  fig.  11)  from  the  Jurassic  of  the  Black  Hills,  as  well  as  in  the 
subquadrangular  form  of  the  shell,  that  species  being  of  a  subtriangular 
form. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  light-colored,  somewhat  shaly,  limestones  of 
Jurassic  age,  near  Como,  Laramie  Plains,  Wyoming,  associated  with  Penta- 
crinites  asteriscus  M.  and  H.  and  other  Jurassic  species.  Collected  by 
Arnold  Hague,  esq. 

Genus  SEPTOCARDIA  n.  gen. 

Shell  bivalve,  equivalve,  inequilateral,  cardiform.  Hinge  strong;  right 
valve  with  a  strong,  recurving,  hooked  tooth  under  the  beak,  and  a  deep 
cavity  below  and  exterior  to  it,  which  is  profoundly  excavated  in  the 
thickened  substance  of  the  shell.  In  the  left  valve,  a  large,  deep  cavity 
corresponds  to  the  tooth  of  the  right  valve.  Lateral  teeth  obsolete.  Liga- 
ment external,  situated  in  a  groove  fonned  by  a  thickened,  overlapping 
portion  of  the  shell  posterior  to  the  tooth  and  corresponding  cavity.  Ante- 
rior adductor  muscular  scar  very  large  and  deep,  separated  from  the  general 
cavity  of  the  shell  by  a  calcareous  plate,  or  septum,  extending  across  the 
anterior  end  of  the  valve  on  the  inner  side  of  the  scar,  thereby  forming  a 
distinct  chamber  in  each  valve.  Posterior  adductor  scar  much  smaller, 
situated  within  the  posterior  cardinal  margin.     Pedal  scars  not  observed. 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JURASSIC  PERIOD.  295 

Surface  of  the  shell  marked,  in  the  typical  species,  by  strong,  elevated, 
radiating'  ribs,  with  ornamented  surfaces  similar  to  many  of  the  recent 
species  of  Cardium.     Type  S,  fypica. 

The  shells  for  which  the  above  generic  name  is  proposed  are  small, 
few  specimens  of  the  typical  species  exceeding  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in 
their  greatest  diameter.  Externally  they  closely  resemble  the  Eocene  forms 
of  Carditay  but  the  hinge-structure  separates  them  at  once  from  all  other 
known  forms.  The  cardinal  border  of  the  right  valve  appears  almost  as  if 
composed  of  two  distinct  lamella?  of  shell;  an  inner  and  an  outer  one,  the 
inner  one  originating  on  the  inside  of  the  umbonal  cavity,  and  rising  to  the 
level  of  the  valve  margin,  coalescing  with  the  outer  portion  posteriorly,  and 
diverging  considerably  anteriorly,  so  as  to  leave  a  gradually- widening  space 
between  the  two,  the  anterior  end  of  which  is  partitioned  off,  forming  the 
anterior  muscular  scar,  or  pit,  and  leaving  a  smaller,  somewhat  triangular, 
cavity  posterior  to  it.  From  the  inner  lamella  bounding  this  cavity,  the 
recurved,  hooked  tooth  rises,  overarching  the  cavity  beneath.  In  the  left 
valve,  the  two  lamellse  are  less  distinct;  the  whole  cardinal  border  being 
thickened,  and  the  cavity  into  which  the  tooth  of  the  right  valve  fits  is 
excavated  in  its  substance,  immediately  in  front  or  against  the  beak  of  the 
valve.  There  are  no  lateral  teeth  in  either  valve.  The  septum  bounding 
the  inner  margin  of  the  anterior  muscular  scar  is  similar  to  that  of  CucuUcea 
or  Idonearca,  except  that  it  borders  the  anterior  instead  of  the  posterior 
muscle  as  in  those  genera,  and  in  the  species  S,  typica  reaches  almost  to  the 
basal  margin  of  the  valve, 

The  type-species  occurs  in  rocks  referred  with  some  doubt  to  the 
Jurassic,  although  the  general  appearance  of  the  shells  would  indicate  a 
much  more  recent  date. 

Septocabdia  typioa  n.  sp. 

Plate  VII,  figs.  26-29. 

Shell  small,  subrhomboidal  in  outline,  the  united  valves  angularly  cor- 
difomi  and  very  gibbous.  Valves  longer  than  high,  oblique,  and  widening 
posteriorly;  beaks  strong,  angularly  tumid  and  enrolled,  situated  near  the 
anterior  end  of  the  shell ;  cardinal  line  arcuate,  slightly  elevated  posteri- 


296  PALEONTOLOGY. 

orly;  anterior  end  short  and  obtusely  pointed;  basal  line  gently  rounded; 
posterior  end  broadly  truncate  and  slightly  rounded.  Body  of  the  valves 
very  ventricose,  subangular  along  tlie  umbonal  ridge,  marked  by  strong 
radiating  costae,  separated  by  equally  wide,  flattened  interspaces ;  six  or 
eight  of  these  costae  occupy  the  postero- cardinal  slope,  and  from  twelve  to 
sixteen  may  be  counted  on  the  body  and  anterior  portion  of  the  ghell.  The 
costae  are  flattened  on  the  summit,  and  marked  by  closely-arranged,  recurved, 
transverse  ridges,  or  nodes,  which  become  more  crowded  and  stronger  with 
the  increased  age  of  the  shell  Interior  margin  of  the  valves  strongly  den- 
ticulate from  the  squarely-depressed  grooves,  corresponding  to  the  external 
ribs,  and  which  extend  to  nearly  one-third  of  the  width  of  the  shell. 

Formation  and  locality. — In  limestones  referred  to  the  Jurassic,  at  Sho- 
shone Springs,  Augusta  Mountains,  Nevada.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons, 

esq. 

Septocardia  Carditoidea  n.  sp. 

Plate  VII,  fig.  25. 

Shell  of  medium  size,  subrhomboidal  in  outline,  longer  than  high,  nar- 
row anteriorly,  and  widening  behind.  Valves  ventricose,  very  angular 
along  the  umbonal  bridge,  rapidly  sloping  to  the  postero-cardinal  margin, 
and  more  gently  toward  the  anterior  end  of  the  shell ;  beaks  large,  promi- 
nent, and  strong ;  placed  well  toward  the  anterior  end,  which  is  narrowly 
rounded ;  basal  line  broadly  rounded ;  posterior  extremity  obliquely  trun- 
cate, longest  at  the  postero-basal  angle.  Internal  features  unknown.  Sur- 
face marked  by  numerous,  strong,  sharply-elevated,  angular,  radiating 
costas,  with  sharply  V-shaped  interspaces,  the  exact  number  not  deter- 
mined; those  on  the  postero-cardinal  slope  near  the  basal  angle  count- 
ing about  five  in  the  space  of  half  an  inch,  giving  about  a  tenth  of  an  inch 
from  crest  ta  crest ;  toward  the  cardinal  line  they  become  gradually  finer. 
Those  on  the  body  of  the  shell  appear  to  have  been  of  nearly  equal  strength 
with  those  on  the  posterior  part,  becoming  finer  toward  the  anterior 
extremity.  The  costae  are  crossed  transversely  by  fitie,  closely-aiTanged, 
zigzag  lines,  strongly  arched  upward  in  crossing  the  ribs.  Greatest  length 
of  the  specimen,  1|  inches;  height,  IJ  inches. 

This  species  differs  from  S,  typica  not  only  in  its  greater  size,  but  in 


FOSSILS  OF  THE  JUBA8S1C  PERIOD.  297 

being  proportionally  longer,  but  most  notably  in  the  angular  form  of  the 
ribs  and  interspaces,  as  well  as  in  the  diiBFerent  style  of  transverse  orna- 
mentation. The  specimen  presents  much  the  appearance  of  an  Eocene 
Cardita,  and  closely  resembles  C,  alticostata  Conrad  ((7.  transversa  Lea)  of 
the  Claiborne  beds  in  Alabama,  except  that  it  is  narrower  anteriorly. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  limestone  referred  to  the  Jurassic,  Shoshone 
Springs,  Augusta  Mountains,  Nevada.     Collected  by  S.  F.  Emmons,  esq. 

Genus  ASTARTE  Sowerby. 

ASTARTE  ?  ARENOSA  n.  Sp. 

Plate  VII,  figs.  20-21. 

Compare  Tancredia  Warrenana  Meek  and  Hayden,  Pal.  Upper  Missouri,  p.  96,  pL  3, 
fig.  7. 

Shell  small,  the  largest  specimens  not  exceeding  half  an  inch  in  length, 
by  a  height  about  two-thirds  as  great;  form  transversely  suboval,  or 
quadrangularly  oval;  cardinal  line  arcuate,  but  little  more  than  half  as  long 
as  the  body  of  the  shell,  gradually  and  moderately  declining  posteriorly ; 
anterior  end  constricted  in  front  of  the  beaks,  and  rather  sharply  rounded 
below;  basal  line  broadly  convex;  posterior  end  narrow  and  obliquely 
truncate,  being  longest  below  at  the  junction  with  the  basal  border ;  beaks 
small,  incurved,  moderately  ventricose,  and  situated  at  about  one-fourth  of 
the  length  from  the  anterior  end.  Valves  ventricose  throughout,  with  a  per- 
ceptible fullness  along  the  umbonal  slope,  above  which  the  shell  declines 
more  rapidly  to  the  cardinal  border.  Features  of  the  hinge  and  muscular 
system  unknown.  Surface  of  the  shell  smooth,  so  far  as  can  be  determined 
from  the  specimens  examined. 

At  first,  we  were  inclined  to  consider  this  shell  as  identical  with  Tan- 
credia Warrenana  M.  (Joe.  cit),  but  on  closer  comparison  with  figures  and 
description  it  would  seem  to  be  distinct.  At  least,  it  is  not  a  Tancredia^  and 
may  be  equally  distant  from  Astarte;  but,  in  the  absence  of  all  generic 
features  in  the  specimens  beyond  the  external  form,  it  is  impossible  to  say 
definitely  to  what  genus  it  does  belong.  It  is  an  abundant  species  in  some 
localities,  the  rock  being  literally  filled  with  the  impressions.  It  diff'ers 
specifically  from  the  above-named  shell  in  being  less  distinctly  triangular 


298  PALEONTOLOGY. 

and  in  the  more  anterior  position  of  its  beaks,  as  well  as  in  the  want  of 
convexity  in  the  curvature  of  the  antero-cardinal  border,  as  would  be 
required  were  it  a  species  of  Tancredia. 

Formation  and  locality, — In  red  sandstones  of  Triassic  or  Jurassic?  age, 
North  head  of  Clialk  Creek,  Utah.  Picked  up  in  the  debris^  and  of  no 
stratigraphical  importance. 

GASTEROPODA. 

Genus  NATICA  Lam. 
Natica?  Lelia  n.  sp. 

Plato  VII,  figs.  19-21. 

Shell  small,  globose;  height  and  width  about  equal,  and  seldom  exceed- 
ing a  fifth  of  an  inch  in  measurement.  Volutions  two  and  a  half  to  three, 
the  last  one  very  rapidly  expanding  and  ventricose,  constituting  almost  the 
entire  bulk  of  the  shell;  inner  volutions  minute,  moderately  elevated  above 
the  surface  of  the  body- whorl,  and  somewhat  regularly  rounded,  forming  a 
very  low  spire;  suture  distinct  but  not  channeled;  aperture  subpatulose  or 
pear-shaped,  higher  than  wide,  largest  below  the  middle,  pointed  at  the 
upper  extremity  and  rounded  below,  except  near  the  junction  with  the  col- 
umella, where  it  is  almost  subrimate;  outer  lip  thin  and  sharp.  Columella 
arcuate,  rounded,  without  any  appearance  of  a  callus  or  thickening  of  any 
kind  as  far  as  can  be  determined  from  any  of  the  examples  in  hand.  (This 
portion  of  the  shell  is  more  or  less  concealed  by  adhering  rock  in  all  the 
individuals,  so  that  this  feature  cannot  be  satisfactorily  determined.)  The 
strise,  however,  appear  to  pass  from  the  body  of  the  shell  directly  upon  and 
over  the  solid,  sl:ghtly-twisted,  and  non-umbilicated  columella. 

Surface  of  the  shell  smooth,  appearing  almost  polished,  except  for  the 
very  fine  striss  of  growth  which  are  directed  backward  across  the  body  of 
the  volution. 

The  species  has  nearly  the  size  and  general  appearance  of  Naticopsis 
nana  Meek  and  Worthen,  from  the  Coal-Measures  of  Illinois  and  the  West, 
but  differs  in  the  columella  being  less  straightened  and  prolonged  below, 
not  giving  so  great  a  basal  extension  to  the  aperture.  The  difterences  of 
the  character  of  the  columella  are  too  distinct  to  require  comparison.     The 


FOSSILS  OP  THE  JURASSIC  PERIOD.  299 

shell  is  most  probably  not  a  true  Natica,  and  may  possibly  not  belong  to 
the  same  family;  but  as  the  real  features  of  this  portion  cannot  be  satis- 
factorily determined,  it  remains  a  matter  of  doubt.  It  closely  resembles,  in 
general  form,  shells  of  the  genus  Neritopsis  except  for  the  smooth  surface. 
It  differs  also  from  Neritoma  Morris  in  wanting  the  peculiar  callus  of  that 
genus  and  from  Narica  Reel,  in  the  smooth  surface  and  want  of  umbilicus. 
Formation  andlocality, — In  a  greenish  white  hmestone  supposed  to  be  of 
Triassic  age,*  northwest  of  Rawlings  Station,  Wyoming,  and  on  the  East 
Fork  of  the  Duchesne  River,  Uinta  Range,  Utah.  Collected  by  S.  F. 
Emmons,  esq. 

*I  do  not  myself  believe  this  to  be  Triassic,  but  it  has  been  so  referred  by 
others.— R.  P.  W. 


CLASSIFIED  LIST  OF  THE  FOSSILS  DESCRIBED  IN  THIS  REPORT. 


Class. 


Order. 


Family. 


Genus  and  species. 


Formation. 


Actinozoa Zoantharia . 


Echinodermata  ...  1  Crinoidea  . 


Brachiopoda . 

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 , 


CCELENTERATA. 
iFavositid® |  Michelinasp.  undet.... |  Waverly group. 

ANNULOIDA. 
iTPentacrinidae 1  Pentacrinites  asteriscus?  M.  &  H |  Triassic. 


Lyopomata 

...do 

...do 

...do 

-.-{?) 

Arthropomata . 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do , 

do 

Lyopomata  . . . 

do 

do , 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 


Lamcllibranchiata , 

Do 

Do 

Do , 

Do 

Do 

Do 


Monomyaria  . 

— .  do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 


MOLLUSCOIDA  (ARTICULATA?). 


Lingulidae 

....do 

...do 

Obolidse 

..-.(?) 

Orthidae 

....do 

Strophomenidae. 
....do 


.do.?. 


...do.? 

...do 

...do 

ProcTuctidae 

....do 

..-.do 

....do  

....do  

Spiriferidae 

....do 

....do 

...do 

....do 

....do 

....do  

....do 

LingulidsB 

....do 

....do 

Rhyachonellidae 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....(?) . 

Terebratulidae . . 

....do 

.-..do 


Lingulepis  MaBran.  sp 

Lingulepis  minuta  n .  sp ■ 

Lingulepis  Elian,  sp 

Obolella  discoida  n.  sp 

Kutorgina  minutissima  n.  sp 

Orthis  Pogonipensis  n.  sp 

Orthis  resupinata?  Martin 

Strophomena  Nemia  n.sp 

Strophomena  rhomboidalis  Wilckins 

Streptorhynchus  equivalvis  Hall 

Streptorhynchus  inflata  W.&W 

Strophodonta  Canace  H.  &  W 

Leptaena Melita  n.sp .. 

Chonetes  Loganensis  n.  sp 

Productus  Flemingi  var.  Burlingtonensis  Hall 

Productus  laevicostus  ?  White 

Productus  semireticulatus  Martin 

Productus  elegans ?  N.  &  P 

Spirifera  Alba^pinensis  n.  sp 

Spirifera?  (Spiriferina)  Allan,  sp 

Spirifera  centronata  Winchell 

Spirifera  imbrex?  Hall 

Spirifera  setigera  Hall 

Spirifera  striata  Martin 

Spiriferina?  Allan,  sp. 

Spiriferina  Homfrayi  Gabb 

Athyris  Claytoni  n.sp 

A thyris  planosulcata  ?  Phillips 

Athyris  subquadrata  ?  Hall 

Rhynchonella  Emmonsi  n .  sp 

Rhynchonella  gnathopbora  Meek 

Rhynchonella  Myrinan.  sp 

Rhynchonella  pustulosa  ?  White 

Porambonites  obscurus  n.  sp 

Terebratula  Augustensis  n .  sp 

Terebratula  Humboldtensis  Gabb 


Potsdam  group. 
....do. 
Quebec. 
Potsdam  group, 
....do. 

Quebec  group. 
Lower  Carbon  if. 
Quebec  group. 
Waverly. 
....do. 
....do. 
Devonian. 
Quebec  group. 
Waverly. 
Lower  Carbonif. 
....do. 
...do. 
...do. 
Waverly. 
Triassic. 
Waverly. 
Lower  Carbonif. 
....do. 
...do. 
Triassic. 
....do. 

Lower  Carbonif. 
....do. 
....do. 
Devonian. 
Jurassic. 
....do. 
Waverly. 
Quebec. 
Jurassic  ? . 
Triassic. 


Terebratula  Utah  n.sp ,  Waverly 


MOLLUSCA. 


Ostreidae . . 

....do  

Pectinidae  . 

...do 

....do 

...do 

....do  


Ostrea  sp.  ?  ?  =  O.  Engelmanni  Meek 

Gryphaeacalceolavar.  Nebrascensis  M.  &  H. 
Aviculopecten  (Eumicr.  ?)  Angustensis  n.  sp. 

Aviculopecten  curtocardinalis  n .  sp 

Aviculopecten  parvulusn.  sp 

Aviculopecten  Weberensis  n.  sp 

Eumicrotis  curta  Hall 


Jurassic. 

....do. 

...  do. 

Permo-Carbonlf. 

...do. 

...do. 

Jurassic. 


302 


CLASSIFIED  LIST  OF  FOSSILS. 


Class. 


Order. 


Family. 


Genus  and  species. 


Formation. 


MOLLUSC  A. 


Lamellibranchlata . 
Do 


Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Gasteropoda . . 

Do , 

Do..'. 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Cephalopoda., 

Do 


Crustacea. 

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 

Dq...., 
Do 


Monomyaria 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do , 

Dimyaria 

do 

do 

do 

do , 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Pectinobranchiata 
do 


do... 

do 

do 

do 

Rhiphidoglossa 

do 

do 

Tetrabranchiata  . . 
do 


Trilobita  . 

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.. 


Pectinidae 

...do ^ 

...do 

....do 

PteriidaB 

....do 

Nuculanidae 

Trigoniidae 

Cardiomorphidae. 

...do 

Cardiidse 

....do 

...do 

LucinidaR 

Astartidae 

Anatinidae? 

FasciolariidaD  ... 

Naticidae .... 

Solariidee 

....do    , 

....do 

.-..do 

Macluraeidse 

Bellerophontidae 

....do 

Cyrtoceratidae  . . 
Goniatitidae 


Camptonectcs  bellistriatus  Meek 

Camptonectes  extenuatus  M.  &  H 

Camptonectes  pertenuistriatus  n.  sp  ... 
Lima  (Plagiostoma)  occidentalis  n.  sp  . . , 

MyalinaaviculoidcsM,  &  H 

Myalina  Permiana  Swallow 

Nuculites  triangulatus  ^ .  sp , 

Trigonia  quadrangularis  n .  sp 

Cardiomorpha  Missouhensis  Swallow. . . 

Edmondia?  Myrina  n.  sp , 

Lunulicardium  fragosum  Meek 

Septocardia  Carditoidea  n .  sp , 

Septocardia  typica  n.  sp 

Paracyclas  peroccidens  n.sp 

Astarte?  arenosan.  sp , 

Sedge wickia  ?  concava  Meek 

F-usispira  compactan.sp 

Nadca?  Lelia  n.  sp , 

Raphistoma  acuta  n .  sp 

Euomphalus  laxus  White 

Euomphalus  Utahensis  n .  sp 

Euomphalus    (Strap.)  Ophirensisn.  sp. 

Maclurea  minima  n .  sp 

Bellerophon  Neleusn.  sp 

Cyrtolitessinuatan.  sp , 

Cyrtoceras  cessator  n,  sp 

Gpniatites  Kingii  n.  sp 


ARTICULATA. 


Calymenidae 

Calymenidae  ? . . . 

Paradojtidae  ? 

...do 


....do...... 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

Paradoxidse . 
....do . 

...do 

...do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

....do 

Asaphidae  . . . 

....do 

....do 

Prcetidae 

...do 

Agnostidae  .. 

...do 

....do 

....do 


Conocephalites subcoronatus  n.  sp 

Conoceph.  (Pterocephalus)  laliceps  n.  sp  . 

Crepicephalus  (L . )  Anytus  n .  sp 

Crepicephalus  (L.)  granulosus  n.  sp 

Crepicephalus  (L.)Haguein,  sp 

Crepicephalus  maculosus  n.  sp. 

Crepicephalus  nitidus  n,  sp 

Crepicephalus  (L.)  quadrans  n.  sp 

Crepicephalus  (L.)  simulator  n.  sp 

Crepicephalus  (L . )  unisulcatus  n .  sp 

Crepic.  (Bathyurus?)  angulatus  n.  sp  ..... 

Ptychaspis  f^ustulosa  n.sp 

Chariocephalus  tumifrons  n.sp 

Dikellocephalus  bilobatus  n .  sp , 

Dikellocephalus  flabellifer  n .  sp 

Dikellocephalus  gothicus  n.  sp 

Dikellocephalus  multicinctus  n.  sp 

Dikellocephalus  quadriceps  n.  sp 

Dikellocephalus  Wahsatchensis  n.  sp 

Ogygia  parabola  n.  sp 

Ogygia  producta  n.  sp 

Bathyurus  Pogonipensis  n .  sp 

Proetus  Loganensisn.  sp 

Proetus  peroccidens  n.  sp 

Agnostus  communis  n.  sp 

AgnostusNeon  n.  sp 

Agnostus  prolongusn.  sp  

Agnostus  tumidosus  n.  sp 


Jurassic. 
....do. 
....do. 
...  do. 

Permo-Carbonif. 
....do. 
Devonian. 
Jurassic. 
Coal-Measurcs. 
Triassic. 
Devonian . 
Jurassic?. 
....do. 
Devonian . 
Triassic?;  loose. 
Permo-Carbonif. 
Quebec. 
Triassic  ? . 
Quebec. 
Waverly. 
....do. 
.-..do. 
Quebec; 
Devonian. 
Quebec. 
Coal-Measures. 
...  do. 


Quebec. 

Potsdam  group. 

....do. 

....do. 

....do. 

....do. 

....do. 

Quebec. 

Potsdam  group. 

....do. 

...  do. 

....do, 

....do. 

....do. 

....do. 

Quebec. 

Potsdam  group . 

Quebec. 

....do. 

Potsdam  group. 

....do. 

Quebec. 

Waverly. 

...do. 

Potsdam  group. 

....do. 

....do. 

....do. 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATE  L* 

Page. 
Obolella  discoidea. , 205 

Fig.    1.  View  of  a  dorsal  valve,  enlargetl,  showing  the  orbicular  form, 

2.  View  of  a  ventral  valve,  showing  the  truncated  heak.    Enlarged. 

LiXGULEPISt  MINUTA 206 

Fig.    3.  View  of  a  cast  of  the  shorter  valve,  enlarged,  showing  muscular  scars. 

4.  View  of  the  cast  of  a  long  valve  enlarged,  showing  the  muscular  scars  more  spreading 
than  in  the  other  valve. 

LlNGULEPIS  M^RA 206 

Fig.    5.  View  of  a  supposed  ventral  valve  showing  the  extended  heak. 

6.  A  larger  valve  having  a  shorter  beak.    This  may  be  a  dorsal  valve. 

7.  Outline  showing  the  relative  gibbosity  and  length  of  the  two  valves, 

LiNGTJLEPis  Ella .* -. 232 

Fig.    8,  View  of  a  dorsal  (?)  valve  showing  the  truncation  of  the  beak.    Eularged  to  two 
diameters. 

OlJTIlIS  POGONIPENSIS 232 

Fig.    9.  View  of  a  dorsal  valve  of  rather  more  than  the  ordinary  size.    Enlarged.' 

10.  A  ventral  valve  of  the  ordinary  size,  and  of  an  elongate  form,  showing  the  elevation 
of  the  beak. 

KUTOUGINA  MINUTI8SIMA ^ 207 

Fig.  11.  View  of  a  dorsal  valve,  greatly  enlarged,  showing  the  peculiar  strise  and  the  faint 
radiations  on  the  surface. 
12.  A  ventral  valve  having  a  more  elongate  form. 

Leptjena  Melita. 208 

Figs.  13-14.  Views  of  two  different  individuals,  showing  variation  in  the  surface-characters. 

Stropiiomena  Nemea 233 

Fig.  15.  View  of  the  specimen  described,  showing  the  general  form  and  surface-striie. 

PORAMBONITES  OBSCURUS 234 

Fig.  16,  View  of  the  exterior  of  a  ventral  valve,  showing  the  lamellae  projecting  inward  from 
the  beak. 

Maclurea  minima 235 

Fig.  17.  View  of  the  spire  of  an  internal  cast  of  a  specimen.    Enlarged. 

18.  View  of  the  flat  side  of  the  same  individual. 

19.  Profile  view  of  the  specimen,  showing  the  depth  of  the  shell. 

*  The  line  drawn  by  the  side  of  figures  indicates  the  natural  aiie. 


2 

Pago. 

Raphistoma  acuta 235 

Fig.  20.  Profile  of  a  specimen,  showiDg  the  elevation  of  the  spire. 
21  and  22.  Upper  and  lower  surfaces  of  the  same  individual. 

Cyijtolites  sinuatus 237 

Figs.  23-24.  Lateral  and  profile  views  of  a  specimen,  showing  the  features  of  the  shell.  Enlarged. 

FUSISPIRA  COMPACTA 236 

Fig.  25.  View  of  the  specimen  described,  which  is  imperfect  at  both  ends;  the  outline  shows 
the  probable  form  of  the  anterior  end. 

Agnostus  Neon * ^ 229 

Figs.  26-27.  View  of  the  cephalic  and  caudal  shields,  greatly  enlarged,  showing  the  features 
as  seen  on  the  specimens. 

Agnostus  communis 228 

Fig.  28.  View  of  the  cephalic  shield,  greatly  enlarged,  showing  the  peculiar  form  of  the  glabella 
and  the  spine  on  its  centtr. 
29.  Caudal  shield.    Enlarged. 

Agnostus  prolongus 230 

Fig.  30.  The  cephalic  shield,  greatly  enlarged,  showing  the  great  length  jiud  obscurely-marked 
glabella. 
31.  View  of  the  caudal  shield  associated  with  the  above  cephalic  shield. 

Agnostus  tumii»osus , 231 

Fig.  32.  View  of  the  cephalic  shield,  with  its  peculiar  and  tumid  glabella.    Greatly  enlarged. 

Bathyurus  Pogonipensis 243 

Fig,  33.  View  of  the  pygidium  described,  showing  the  form  and  character  of  ribs,  and  the  orna- 
menting granules  on  the  axial  rings. 
34,  Profile  of  the  same,  showing  the  elevation  of  the  specimen. 

DiKELLOCEPHALUS  WaHSATCHENSIS 241 

Fig.  35,  View  of  the  glabella  and  one  fixed  cheek.    The  wider  depressions  on  the  glabella  are 
accidental  depressions  on  the  glabellar  lobes. 

DiKELLOCEPHALUS?   GOTHICUS 242 

Fig.  36.  View  of  a  pygidium,  showing  the  peculiar  character  of  the  ribs  of  the  lateral  lobes. 

DiKELLOCEPHALUS  QUADRICEPS 240 

Fig.  37.  Enlarged  view  of  the  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  showing  the  peculiar  form  of  the 
glabella  and  short  frontal  limb. 

38.  Profile  of  the  same,  showing  the  elevation  of  parts. 

39.  View  of  the  pygidium,  natural  size. 

40.  Profile  of  the  same,  showing  the  great  elevation. 


U.  S,^Geol.Exj)l.  40  Parallel 


Pnmordial  and  Silurian 


Plate  I. 


[.M. Martin  Del. 


J.Bien  La. 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATE  II. 

Page. 
CONOCEPHALITES  SUBCORONATU8 237 

Fig.  1.  View  of  a  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  showiDg  the  general  characters  of  the  species. 
Enlarged. 

Crepicepiialus  (Loganellus)  granulosus 214 

Figs.  2-3.  Vertical  and  profile  views  of  a  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  showing  the  form  and 
surface-markings.    Enlarged. 

CONOCEPHALITES  (PtEROCEPHALUS)  LATICEPS 221 

Fig.  4.  View  of  the  central  parts  of  the  head,  showing  the  pecnliar  form  of  glabella  and 
ext/ended  frontal  limb. 

5.  A  movable  cheek,  with  a  portion  of  the  under  surface  of  the  front  of  the  head. 

6.  A  part  of  a  thoracic  segment,  associated  with  the  other  parts. 

7.  View  of  an  imperfect  pygidium,  found  in  the  same  rock. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  nitidus 212 

Fig.  8.  View  of  the  central  portion  of  a  head  of  the  species,  showing  the  character  of  these 
parts. 
9-10.  Two  pygidia,  showing  some  variations  in  the  details. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  quadrans 238 

Fig.  11.  A  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  enlarged. 

12.  View  of  a  cheek,  enlarged  to  twice  the  natural  size. 

13.  View  of  a  pygidium,  enlarged  to  three  times  the  natural  size* 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  Haguei 210 

Fig.  14.  View  of  an  entire  individual,  enlarged  to  twice  the  natural  size,  showing  the  form  and 
characters  of  the  animal. 
15.  A  single  thoracic  segment  (third),  enlarged  to  show  more  distinctly  its  structure. 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  simulator 218 

Fig.  16.  View  of  the  central  part  of  a  head,  showing  the  characters  of  the  species.    The  lateral 
limbs  have  been  broken  off. 

17.  View  of  a  movable  cheek,  enlarged  to  two  diameters,  showing  the  broad,  flattened, 

marginal  border. 

18.  View  of  a  much  lai^er  cheek,  natural  size  (upper  right-hand  corner  of  plate). 

Crepicephalus  (Loganellus)  Anytus 219 

Fig.  19.  View  of  the  central  parts  of  the  head  of  a  small  individual,  showing  the  angular 
glabella  and  strong  ocular  ridges. 

20.  View  of  a  movable  cheek,  natural  size,  showing  the  striated  surface. 

21.  A  pygidinm  from  the  same  block  as  the  other  specimens. 


Page. 
CPKPlCEPHALrS  (LOGANELLU8)   UNISULCATUS JilG 

Fig.  22.  View  of  the  central  part  of  the  head,  deprived  of  the  postero-lateral  limbs. 
23.  View  of  the  pygidium,  associated  with  the  above 

Chepicephalus  (Loganellus)  MACUL0SU8 215 

Fig.  24.  View  of  the  central  parts  of  the  head,  showing  the  rounded  glabella,  with  faintly- 
marked  furrows,  and  the  postuloso  surface  of  fixed  cheek,  and  frontal  limb. 

25.  A  movable  cheek  of  the  same  species,  presenting  the  same  surface-markings. 

26.  ?  View  of  a  pygidium  found  associated  with  the  above  i)art8,  but  not  showing  pustuloso 

markings. 

Ptychaspis  pustulosa 223 

Fig.  27.  View  of  the  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  the  postero-lateral  limbs  having  been  removed. 

ChFPICEPHALUS  (BATHYURUSf)    AKGULATU8 220 

Fig.  28.  View  of  the  specimen  described,  as  it  appears  on  a  gutta-percha  cast,  from  the  im- 
j)re8sion  in  the  stone. 

DiKELLOCEPlIALUS  FLABELLIFER 227 

Figs.  29-30.  Vertical  and  profile  views  of  the  pygidium,  showing  the  broad,  undulating,  lateral 
lobes  and  digitate  external  border. 

OGVGIA  PROpUCTA 244 

Fig.  31.  View  of  the  central  parts  of  the  head,  the  anterior  limb  broken  away.    The  largo 
palpebral  lobes  are  shown,  extending  almost  to  the  top  of  the  glabella. 

32.  View  of  a  fixed  cheek,  associated  with  the  glabella. 

33.  View  of  an  impression,  showing  the  pygidium,  which  has  probably  been  shortened  by 

the  contortion  of  the  shale,  and  part  of  the  thorax,  while  the  one  attached  to  the 
thorax  has  been  obliquely  lengthened. 

34.  View  of  a  separated  pygidium. 

Ogygia  parabola 245 

Fig.  35.  Viow  of  the  pygidium,  showing  the  elongate  form  and  the  straight  cylindrical  axis, 
with  the  single  bulbous  anterior  ring. 

DiKELLOCEPlIALUS  (PtEROCEPHALUS)  BILOBATCS 220 

Fig.  36.  View  of  the  under  side  of  the  pygidium  described,  showing  the  form  and  broad  recurv- 
ing selvage. 

Dikellocephalus  MULTICINCTU8 , 226 

Fig.  37.  View  of  the  specimen  described,  showing  the  general  form,  with  the  margins  restored 
in  outline,  partly  from  another  specimen. 

ChARIOCEPHALUS  TtJMIFRONS 224 

Fig.  38.  View  of  the  glabella  and  fixed  cheeks,  showing  the  glabella  projecting  in  front  of  the 
anterior  limb,  and  the  two  deep  glabellar  furrows. 
30.  Profile  view  of  the  same  individual,  showing  the  short  frontal  limb,  with  the  glabella 
projecting  beyond  it. 


U.  S.  GeoIExpl.  40 Parallel 


Primordial  and  Silurian 


Plate  IP 


11. 


21 


..^^     35 


H.M. Martin  Del, 


J.Biai  litii 


EXPLANATION    OF   PLATE   IIL 

Pftge. 

STRoniODONTA  Canace 246 

Fig.    1.  View  of  a  very  young  individual. 

2-3.  Dorsal  and  ventral  views  of  an  older  individual,  presenting  the  features  of  the 
species. 

KlIYNCHONELLA  EmMONSI - 247 

Figs.    4-8.  Dorsal,  ventral,  profile,  front,  and  cardinal  views  of  a  full-grown  and  well-formed 
specimen. 

LUNLLICARDIUM  FRAGOSUM 249 

Fig.    9.  View  of  a  short  form,  enlarged,  showing  strong  undulations,  and  retaining  the  ante- 
rior flange,  of  large  size. 

10.  An  elongated  form,  enlarged,  showing  a  narrower  anterior  projection. 

11.  A  right  valve  of  medium  proportions,  showing  a  strong  anterior  flange. 

NUCULITES  TRIANGULUS 248 

Fig.  12.  View  of  a  left  valve,  showing  the  surface-characters. 

13.  View  of  the  same  individual  after  having  the  shell  removed  from  all  but  the  hinge- 
margin,  and  showing  the  imiiression  of  the  clavicle  very  faintly. 

Paracyclas  peroccidens - -..      248 

Fig.  14.  View  of  a  specimen,  preserving  a  part  of  the  external  shell, 

15-17.  Right,  left,  and  profile  views  of  a  cast,  showing  the  muscular  imprints  and  pallial 
line. 

Bellerophon  Neleus 250 

Fig.  18.  View  of  a  fragment,  showing  the  callus  of  the  inner  lip  and  a  small  part  preserving 
the  external  ornamentation. 

19.  Front  view  of  an  internal  cast,  showing  the  form  of  the  lip  and  dorsal  slit. 

20.  Profile  view  of  the  same  individual,  showing  the  axial  cavity  filled  with  the  thick- 

ened shell-substance. 


U.S.  GeoI.Ezi)1.40Paranel 


Devonian 


Plate  ILL 


1. 


IV^ 


H.M, Martin  Del. 


J.Bien  lith. 


EXPLANATION    OF   PLATE    IV. 

rago. 
STREPTOKIIYNCnUS  INEQUALI8 252 

Fig.    1.  View  of  a  dorsal  valve,  showiug  an  unusual  breadth,  from  Ogden  Canon. 

2.  View  of  a  narrower  ventral  valve,  showing  liner  and  more  even  striai,  from  Logan 
Caiion. 

StREPTOKH YNCHUS  INFLATU8 253 

Fig.    3.  View  of  a  very  rotund,  dorsal  valve,  with  fine,  even. striae,  from  Dry  Canon. 

StROPIIOMENA  miOMBOtDALlS 253 

Fig.    4.  View  of  a  specimen  from  Dry  CaSon,  showing  fine,  even  wrinkles. 

Spirifera  centronata 254 

Fig.    5.  View  of  a  large  dorsal  valve,  showing  the  usual  features  of  the  species,  Dry  Cuuun. 
6.  A  smaller  ventral  valve,  from  the  same  locality. 

Spirifera  Alba-pinensis 255 

Fig.    7.  View  of  a  ventral  valve,  from  a  siliceous  layer  at  White  Pine,  Nevada,  as  obtained 
by  gutta-percha  cast  from  the  matrix. 
8.  Another  ventral  valve,  from  Logan  Canon,  Utah. 

CnONETES  LOGANENSIS 253 

Fig.    9.  View  of  tlie  specimen  described. 

Athyris  planosulcata  ? 257 

Fig.  10.  View  of  a  small  ventral  valve  from  Logan  Cafion. 

11.  A  partial  cast  of  another  ventral  valve  from  Cottonwood  Cafion,  Utah, 

Rhyxciionella  pustulosa?.- 257 

Figs.  12-13.  Dorsal  and  front  views  of  a  specimen  from  Dry  Cafion,  Utah.    Enlarged. 
14.  Dorsal  view  of  the  specimen,  natural  size. 

ATHYRife  Claytoni 256 

Figs.  15-17.  Dorsal  profile  anct  ventral  views  of  a  specimen  of  the  species,  showiug  the  form  of 
shell  and  the  perforation  of  the  beak. 

Terebratula  Utah 258 

Fig.  18.  View  of  a  ventral  valve,  natural  size. 

MiCllELINA sp.? 251 

Fig  19.  View  of  the  specimen  referred  to  under  the  description. 


2 

Pajre. 

EuoMPHALUS  (Strapakollus)  Utahensis a59 

Fig.  20.  View  of  the  upper  snrface  of  a  large  individual  f .  om  Ogden  CaHoD,  showing  the  obso- 
lescence of  the  carina  on  the  outer  volution. 

21.  View  of  a  smaller  individual  from  Dry  Ca&on,  as  obtained  by  gutta-percha  impression 

from  the  matrix. 

22.  A  similar  small  specimen  from  Logan  Cafion.    The  figure  is  an  enlarged  view. 

2*3.  A  view  of  the  under  side  of  a  large  specimen  from  near  Read  and  Benton's  mine,  Utah. 

EueMPIIALUS  LAXU8 260 

Figs.  24-25.  Profile  and  vertical  views  of  a  specimen  from  Dry  Canon,  Utah. 

EuoMPHALUs  (Sthaparollus)  Ophirbnsis 261 

Fig.  2(>.  Lateral  view  of  the  specimen,  restored  partly  from  the  shell  and  partly  from  gutta- 
percha impression  in  the  matrix. 
27.  View  of  the  umbilicus.    From  Dry  Oa&on,  Ophir,  Utah. 

PROETUS  PBROCCIDENS 262 

Fig.  28.  View  of  a  glabella  of  the  species,  from  Dry  Canon. 

29.  View  of  the  left  movable  cheek. 

30.  View  of  a  pygidium  of  large  size,  from  the  same  locality. 

31-32.  View  of  a  smaller  specimen,  natural  size  and  enlarged,  showing  the  ornamentar 
tion  of  the  snrface,  from  Ogden  Cafion,  Utah. 

pROETUs  Loganensis 264 

Fig.  33.  View  of  the  pygidium,  enlarged  to  two  diameters,  showing  the  specific  features  of  this 
part. 


TT.  S:  G^K^IEx:i)1.40ParaUfil 


Waverly  Group 


Plate  IV:' 


ii.M.Maxtm  Bel. 


J.Bien  litk. 


EXPLANATION   OF   PLATE  V. 

Page. 
Ortiiis  resupinata? 265 

Fig.    1.  View  of  a  dorsal  valve,  slightly  exfoliated,  but  retaining  the  shell  in  great  part. 
2.  A  cast  of  a  dorsal  valve,  showing  the  muscular  imprint. 

Pkoductus  elegans 2(58 

•  Figs.  3-4.  Profile  and  front  views  of  a  specimen  referred  to  this  species. 

Pkoductus  semiketiculatus 267 

Figs.  5-6.  Vertical  and  cardinal  views  of  a  specimen  referred  to  this  species,  showing  the 
form  and  surface  character. 

Producius  l^vicostus? 2GG 

Figs.  7-8.  Vertical  and  front  views  of  specimens  having  the  form  and  character  of  the  species. 

Pkoductus  Flemingi  var.  Burlingtonensis 265 

Fig.    9.  View  of  a  dorsal  valve,  showing  the  cardinal  process.  * 

10.  View  of  a  ventral  valve. 
11-12.  Front  and  profile  views  of  a  similar  individual,  presenting  the  features  of  those  from 
Burlington,  Iowa. 

Spirifera  striata 269 

Fig.  13*  Dorsal  view  of  a  specimen  somewhat  crushed,  but  showing  the  specific  characters 
of  the  shell. 

14.  Ventral  view  of  the  same  specimen. 

15.  Ventral  valve  of  another  individual,  showing  fewer  bifurcations  in  the  plications. 

Spiiufera sp.  t 271 

Fig.  16,  View  of  the  fragment  referred  to  on  page  — . 

Spirifera  setigera 270 

Fig.  17.  View  of  a  small  specimen  somewhat  compressed,  but  preserving  the  surface  char- 
acters and  somewhat  the  general  form. 
18.  View  of  a  larger  dorsal  valve,  showing  the  form. 

Atiiyris  subquadrata  f 271 

Fig.  19.  View  of  the  dorsal  side  of  a  specimen  referred  to  this  species. 

20.  Ventral  valve  of  the  same,  showing  the  sinus  as  well  as  the  general  form  of  the  shell. 


IJ,  S,  GeoIEx]:il.40Faraild 


Lower  Garb oTiifer OTIS 


Plate  Y 


B-M}4a.n.m  Dd,. 


J.  BienlitK, 


EXPLANATION   OF  PLATE  VI. 

Pagfl. 
Cardiomorpha  Missouribnsis 277 

Fig.    1.  View  of  the  right  valve  of  a  speciiueD  of  the  usual  size  and  form. 
2.  Cardinal  view  of  the  same  individual. 

SeDGEWICKIA  ?  CONCAVA , 27G 

.    Fig.    3.  View  of  a  right  valve,  as  obtained  by  a  gutta-percha  impression  in  the  natural  mold. 

AVICULOPECTEN  CUIITO-CARDINALI8 273 

Fig.    4.  View  of  the  specimen  described,  enlarged  to  twice  the  natural  size. 
AVICULOPECTEN  Webejrensis 273 

Fig.    5.  View  of  a  left  valve,  showing  the  strongly  alternating  coarser  and  finer  striae. 

AVICULOPECTEN  PARVULUS ,        274 

Fig.    6.  View  of  a  left  valve,  enlarged  to  three  times  the  natural  size,  showing  the  strong 
elevated  primary  rays,  with  finer  ones  between. 

Myalina  Permiana : 276 

Fig.    7.  View  of  a  cast  of  a  right  valve,  showing  the  usual  form.    The  outline  at  the  beak 
shows  the  extreme  of  other  specimens. 

Myalina  aviculoides ' 275 

Fig.    8.  View  of  an  internal  cast  of  a  left  valve,  with  the  impression  of  the  extended  beak 
showing  in  the  matrix. 

GONIATITES  KiNGII 271) 

Fig.    9.  Lateral  view  of  a  specimen  of  medium  size,  showing  the  deep  umbilicus. 

10.  View  of  the  opposite  side  of  a  similar  individual,  showing  more  distinctly  the  surface- 

markings. 

11.  Profile  view  of  the  specimen  fig.  9,  showing  the  great  width  of  the  shell. 

12.  Sectional  view,  showing  the  proportional  size  of  the  volutions  and  depth  of  the  um- 

bilicus. 

13.  Profile  view  of  a  smaller  individual,  the  outer  volutions  broken  away  to  reveal  the 

lines  of  septa. 

14.  Profile  of  a  septum  from  the  latter,  enlarged. 

Cyrtoceras  cessator 278 

Fig.  15.  Lateral  view  of  the  specimen  described,  showing  the  curvature  of  the  tube  and  the 
strong  annulations. 

Pentacrinus  asteriscus? 280 

Fig.  16.  Enlarged  view  of  a  disk  referred  with  doubt  to  this  species.    The  figure  is  enlarged 
two  diameters. 

Spirifera  (Spiriferina?)  Alia 281 

Fig.  17.  View  of  a  ventral  valve,  showing  the  characters  described. 
Spiriferina  Homprayi? 281 

Fig.  18.  View  of  an  imperfect  dorsal  valve  referred  to  this  species. 
Edmondla  Myrina 283 

Fig.  19.  View  of  an  imperfect  left  valve. 

ASTARTB  AREN08A —  . 297 

Fig.  20.  View  of  a  specimen  of  a  left  valve,  enlarged. 

21.  View  of  a  fragment  of  rock  containing  several  individuals,  InclndiDg  the  above.    The 
species  is  placed  with  some  doubt  on  this  plate  among  the  Triasslc  forms. 

Terebratula  Humboldtensis 282 

Figs.  22-23.  Dorsal  and  profile  views  of  a  specimen,  showing  strong  plications  on  the  front 
of  the  valve. 
24.  Dorsal  valve  of  another  individual  -nearly  destitute  of  the  plications. 


U  S.  GeoIEzpl  40ParaUel 


Upper  Cartonifercus  and  Triassic 


Plate  71. 


1. 


16. 


10. 


H.M.Martm  Del. 


J  Biexi  Kth. .. 


EXPLANATION   OF  PLATE   VII. 

Page. 
Rhynciionblla  MyjsiNA • •. 284 

Figs.  1-4.  Dorsal,  ventral,  proj&le,  and  front  views  of  a  characteristic  specimen. 
5.  Ventral  valve,  showing  a  variation  of  form  in  the  sinas. 

RayXCHONELLA  GNATHOPUORAf 284 

Fig.    6.  View  of  the  ventral  valve  referred  with  doubt  to  this  species. 

Tbrebratula  Augusta 285 

Fig.    7.  View  of  a  ventral  valve  of  the  usual  form  and  size. 

8-10.  Dorsal,  ventral,  and  profile  views  of  a  specimen,  enlarged  to  two  diameters. 

GuYPiiJEA?  Calceola  var.  Nkbrascensis  ? 286 

Fig.  11.  Interior  of  the  larger  valve,  showing   the  prevailing   form  which   occurs  in   the 
localities  mentioned  under  the  description. 

OSTREA  Engelmanni? ^ 285 

Fig.  12.  View  of  an  impression  of  the  interior  of  the  attached  valve. 

Camptonectes  bellistriatus 289 

Fig.  13.  View  of  an  imperfect  right  valve  of  the  siaie  most  common  among  those  in  the  collec- 
tion. 

AVICULOPECTEN  T  (EUMICROTIS)  AUGUSTENSIS ^ 288 

Fig.  14.  View  of  a  right  or  flat  valve. 

15.  A  ieffc  valve  from  the  same  specimen  of  rock. 

16.  Enlargement  of  stri;»  from  another  individual,  preserving  the  surface. 

Camptonectes  pertenuistriatUs 291 

Fig.  17.  View  of  a  right  valve  of  the  species,  enlarged  to  twice  the  natural  si^e }   the  posterior 
wing  restored  in  outline. 

Camptonectes  extbnuatus ^^  ..i. 290 

Fig.  18.  A  right  valve,  natural  sii^e. 
Natica!  LelIa 298 

Figs.  19-21.  Three  views  of  an  individual  of  the  ordinary  size  enlarged.    'Jthe  Hlie  near  tig.  20 
shows  the  natural  height. 

Trigonia  quadrangularis ,  .*..-. 293 

Fig.  22.  View  of  an  imperfect  right  valve,  enlarged  to  twice  the  natural  size.    The  outline 
would  seem  to  have  been  considerably  extended  posteriorly. 

Lima  (Plagiostoma)  occidentalis 292 

Fig.  23.  View  of  a  left  valve,  slightly  restored  at  the  beak  and  hinge,  as  also  on  the  nmbone. 
EUMICROTIS  curtaI - 289 

Fig.  24.  View  of  a  left  valve,  enlarged,  showing  the  alternate  size  of  the  radii. 
Septocardia  Carditoidea 296 

Fig.  25.  View  of  the  posterior  end  of  the  specimen  described. 
Septocardia  typica 295 

Fig.  26,  Enlarged  view  of  the  exterior  of  a  right  valve,  showing  the  general  form  and  the 
ornamentations  on  the  ribs. 

27.  View  of  the  interior  of  the  same  valves,  showing  the  hinge-character?  as  described. 

28.  Enlarged  hinge-line  of  the  left  valve. 

29.  Cast  of  a  large  right  valve,  enlarged  to  twice  the  natural  size,  to  show  the  posterior 

muscular  scar. 


H.M.Manm  I' el 


J.Bieii  h^.. 


UNITED  STATES  GEOLOGICAL  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  FORTIETH  PARALLEL. 
CLAEENCE  KING,  Geologist-in-chargk. 


PART   III. 


OKNITHOLOGY. 


BY 


KOBERT    RID G WAY. 


303 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS  TO  PART  III. 


Page. 

Inteoduotoey  Lettee ^ 307 

Geneeal  Repoet:— 

Desceiption  op  the  Route 309 

Physical  Featuees  of  the  Geeat  Basin 313 

Local  Avifauna  of  the  Geeat  Basin 316 

Desceiptions  of  Localities  wheee  Collections  oe  Obseeva- 

tions  weee  made 328 

GeNEEAL  REMAEKS  on  THE  AVIFAUNA  OF  THE  GEEAT  BaSIN 377 

Catalogue  of  the  Species  Collected  oe  Obseeved 386 

Repoet  Peopee:— 

Tuedid^— Theushes • 39i 

Saxicolid-^— Stone-Chats 402 

Cinolid^— Watee-Ouzels 406 

Sylvhd^— Teue  Waeblees 408 

Paeid^— Titmice,  oe  Chickadees 410 

SiTTiDJs— Nuthatches 415 

Ceethiidje— Ceeepees 418 

Teoglodytidjs— Weens 418 

MoTACiLLiD^— Wagtails  and  Tit  laeks,  oe  Pipits 426 

/         Mniotiltid^— Ameeican  Waeblees 427 

oL  ^^         HiEUNDiNiD^— Swallows : , 439 

*^.  '             Ampelid^— Wax-wings 446 

'                        VlEEONID^— GEEBNLETS,  OE  ViEEOS. 448 

Laniid^— Sheikes,  oe  Butchee-bieds 452 

TANAGEIDiE— TANAGEES 454 

FEINGILLID-2E— Finches,  Spaeeows,  and  Buntings 455 

AlAudid^— Laeks 498 

IcTEEiD^— Hang-nests,  oe  Amebic  an  Oeioles 500 

OoEviD^— -Ceows  and  Jays , 512 

Tyeannid^— Tyeant  Flycatchees 528 

ALCEDINID^— KiNGFISHEES 545 

PlCID^— WOODPEOKEES 545 

CucuLiDJs  — Cuckoos 558 

Teoohilidje— Humming-bieds  .  ..^.... 558 

Cypselid^— Swifts ...  564 

OAPEIMULGIDiE— GoATSUOKEES  .    567 

Steigidje— Owls 669 

Falconidje— Falcons,  Hawks,  Eagles,  and  Eites 575 

20  PE 


30G  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

Report  Pboper — Continued.  Page. 

Oathartid^— American  Vultures 593 

CoLUMBlD^—PiaEONS,  OR    DoVES .  .    695 

Tetraonid^ — Grouse 598 

Perdicidje— Partridges  and  Quails 601 

Charadriidje— Plovers , . . . .  603 

Phalaropodid^ — Phalaropes 604 

EECURVIROSTRID^— AVOOETS  AND   StILTS 605 

ScoLOPAciDja— Snipe,  Sandpipers,  etc  . , 606 

GruiDwE— Cranes ^ 611 

Rallid^— Rails,  Gallinules,  and  Coots 612 

Tantalid^— Ibises - , . , .  615 

Ardeid-^— -Herons 616 

Anatid^— Swans,  Geese,  and  Bucks 610 

Pelecanidje— Pelicans ,.•.  627 

Graculid^— Cormorants  . 635 

Laridje— Gulls  and  Terns 636 

PoDioiPiD^— Grebes 641 

Index  to  Soientifio  Names. 652 

Index  to  Popular  Names 663 

Index  to  Indian  Names 668 

Index  to  Localities  Described  or  Specially  Referred  to 669 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION, 

Washington,  D.  C,  November  18,  1876. 

Sir:  I  transmit  herewith  a  report  on  the  ornithology  of  the  route 
explored  by  the  United  States  Geological  Exploration  of  the  Fortieth 
Parallel,  based  upon  field-work  from  June,  1867,  to  August,  1869,  inclusive, 
the  time  during  which  I  had  the  honor  to  serve  in  the  capacity  of  zoologist 
to  the  expedition;  the  region  investigated  being  that  directly  between 
Sacramento  City,  CaUfornia,  and  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  including  a  few 
points  directly  to  the  eastward  of  the  last-mentioned  locality. 

The  ornithological  specimens  preserved,  and  deposited  in  the  National 
Museum,  at.  Washington,  number  1,522,  of  which  769  are  skins,  and  753 
nests  and  eggs.  This  may  seem  a  small  collection  proportioned  to  the  time 
employed  in  its  formation,  but  the  making  of  protracted  field-observations 
and  the  elaboration  of  notes  therefrom  were  deemed  of  greater  importance 
than  the  amassing  of  a  large  duplicate  collection.  Moreover,. almost  equal 
attention  was  given  to  other  branches  of  zoology,  particularly  to  reptiles 
and  fishes,  large  series  of  which,  representing  very  completely  the  fauna 
of  the  country,  w^ere  placed,  according  to  instructions,  in  the  hands  of 
specialists  for  identification.^ 

The  unusual  facilities  most  generously  afforded  by  you,  and  your  kind 
encouragement  at  all  times,  aided  very  materially  the  successful  operations 
of  the  zoologist;  so  that  whatever  is  creditable  in  the  results  attained  by 
his  labors,  the  merit  is  mainly  due  to  yourself  Another  friend  deserves 
special  mention  in  this  connection  for  his  valued  assistance — Mr.  H.  G. 
Parker,  of  Carson  City,  Nevada  (at  the  time  of  the  writer's  connection  with 
the  expedition  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  that  State),  whose 
frequent  and  gratuitous  services  contributed  greatly  to  the  completeness  of 
the  natural  history  collections. 

'The  reports  on  these  collections  have  not  been  received. 

307 


308  ORNITHOLOGY, 

In  the  preparation  of  this  report,  the  vahied  facilities  aflfbrded  by  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  were  availed  of,  through  the  courtesy  and  kindness 
of  Professor  Joseph  Henry,  the  Secretary  of  the  Institution ;  among  the 
many  advantages  thus  secured  being  frequent  access  to  a  splendid  working 
library  and  an  unrivaled  collection  of  North  American  birds;  The  author 
wishes  also  to  express  himself  as  particularly  indebted  to  Professor  Spencer 
F.  Baird,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  Curator  of 
the  National  Museum,  for  invaluable  assistance  kindly  rendered  throughout 
the  progress  of  the  work. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  RIDGWAY. 
Ol^ence  King,  Esq., 

United  States  Geologist^ 

In  charge  of  U.  S.  Geological  Explorations^  4tOth  Parallel 


GENERAL   REPORT. 


DESCRIPTION   OF   THE   ROUTE. 

The  investigations  on  which  the  following  report  is  based,  were  made 
almost  wholly  within  the  limits  of  that  vast  interior  region  of  continental 
drainage  known  as  the  Great  Basin,  between  the  parallels  of  39°  and  42° 
north  latitude,  collections  having  been  made  at  but  one  outlying  locality, 
the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  City,  California.  As  observations  were  extended 
along  the  entire  course  of  travel,  however,  from  San  Francisco  to  points  in 
Utah  eastward  of  Salt  Lake  City,  we  shall  not  confine  our  treatise  to  the 
limited  region  noted,  but  shall  describe  each  of  the  main  points  where 
observations  were  made  and  notes  taken,  in  regular  sequence.^ 

All  the  way  from  Panama  to  San  Francisco  several  species  of  pelagic 
birds  followed  our  vessel,  the  Black-footed  Albatross  {Diomedia  nigripes)  and 
White-headed  Gull  (Blasipus  heermanni)  being  daily  companions  until  we 
entered  the  ^*  Golden  Gate."  No  land-birds  made  their  appearance,  how- 
ever, until,  when  off  the  coast  of  Mexico,  between  Acapulco  and  Cape  St. 
Lucas,  a  solitary  Mourning  Dove  (Zencedura  carolinensis)  made  its  appear- 
ance one  day  about  noon,  and,  although  flying  around  the  vessel  for  nearly 
an  hour,  did  not  alight,  but  finally  disappeared  to  the  eastward,  where  no 
land  was  in  sight. 

^  We  reluctautly  omit,  as  too  far  beyond  the  geographical  province  of  our  subject, 
some  notes  on  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  where,. however,  no  North  American  birds  were 
seen,  excepting  some  waiters,  observed  in  the  pools  along  the  railroad,  among  which 
were  the  Purple  Gallinule  {Oallinnla  martinica)  and  the  Little  White  Egret,  or  Snowy 
Heron  {Oarzetta  candidis8ima).  In  the  Bay  of  Aspinwall  several  Man-o-war  Hawks 
( Tachypetes  aquila)  were  observed  sailing  in  circles  overhead,  much  in  the  manner  of 
Swallow-tailed  Kites  (Elanoides  forficatus))  and  in  the  Bay  of  Panama,  on  the  opposite 
(Pacific)  side,  Brown  Pelicans  (Pelecanus  fmom)  were  particularly  numerous,  and 
noticeable  from  their  occupation  of  plunging  from  the  air  into  the  water  after  their 
prey. 

309 


310  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Arrived  in  California,  no  peculiarly  western  bird  was  observed  until  we 
reached  Sacramento  City;  since,  after  landing  at  San  Francisco,  only  Purple 
Martins  {Progne  suhis)  and  Cliff  Swallows  (Petrochelidon  lunifrons),  which 
swarmed  about  old  buildings  on  certain  streets,  were  seen,  while  the  only 
notes  of  other  species  heard  were  the  familiar  songs  of  caged  Canary  Birds. 
The  journey  up  the  Sacramento  River  was  equally  disappointing  in  this 
respect,  since,  though  we  kept  a  vigilant  look-out  from  our  post  of  observa- 
tion on  the  hurricane  deck  of  the  steamer,  none  but  familiar  eastern  species, 
most  of  which  were  water-birds  (Coots,  Florida  Gallinules,  and  various 
species  of  ducks),  were  seen,  the  only  land- birds  being  an  occasional  Belted 
Kingfisher  {Ceryle  alcyon)  perehed  on  an  overhanging  willow.  During  the 
first  day  at  Sacramento,  however,  we  became  familiarized  with  several  of 
the  species  peculiar  to  the  western  portion  of  the  continent,  but  as  this 
locality  brings  us  to  the  commencement  of  our  observations  in  the  field,  we 
shall  begin  a  resume  of  the  subject  in  another  chapter. 

1867. — The  first  camp  of  the  survey  was  established  at  Sacramento 
City,  California,  on  the  6th  of  June,  from  which  date  collections  were  made 
until  July  4th,  when  the  plains  to  the  eastward  and  the  Sierra  Nevada  were 
crossed  into  Nevada.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  no  opportunity  was 
afforded  for  making  collections  along  this  route,  especially  in  the  western 
foot-hills  and  in  the  pine-region  of  the  western  slope,  since  a  number  of 
additional  species  and  many  valuable  observations  were  thus  lost  to  the 
collection  and  archives  of  the  exploration.  After  entering  Nevada,  the  Big 
Bend  of  the  Truckee  was  selected  for  the  first  working-camp,  and  there  we 
remained  from  July  24th  until  August  18th;  a  portion  of  the  time  being 
devoted  to  an  excursion  to  Pyramid  Lake,  which  was  reached  by  descending 
the  river  in  a  batteaUj  the  party  returning  on  horseback,  after  about  a  week's 
absence.  During  this  trip  the  main  island  in  the  lake  was  visited.  Our 
investigations  from  the  main  camp  also  included  several  visits  to  the  dry 
caiions  of  the  Virginia  Mountains,  about  eight  miles  to  the  westward,  across  a 
very  sandy  mesa.  This  camp  was  abandoned  on  the  25th  of  August,  when  we 
started  across  the  desert  for  Humboldt  Lake;  but  upon  reaching  the  latter 
place  the  writer  became  a  victim  of  malarial  fever,  wliich  for  weeks  inter- 
fered very  materially  with  the  prosecution  of  his  duties.     We  next  proceeded 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  ROUTE.  311 

up  the  Humboldt  River  to  Oreana,  where  a  camp  was  fixed  near  the  town, 
but  our  stay  was  short  on  account  of  the  spread  of  the  fever  in  a  very  malig- 
nant form,  compelling  the  entire  par|y  to  seek  healthier  water  and  purer  air 
in  the  high  mountains  to  the  eastward.  A  camp  was  accordingly  made  in 
Wright's  Caflon,  on  the  western  slope  of  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  a 
locality  which  proved  to  be  well  adapted  for  a  collecting-ground.  This  camp 
was  deserted,  however,  about  the  middle  of  September,  for  one  on  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  same  range,  for  which  the  town  of  Union ville,  in  Buena  Vista 
Canon,  was  selected.  This  proved  to  be  the  best  locality,  for  birds,  yet 
visited.  We  left  this  place  about  the  last  of  October,  and  moved  westward 
again,  along  the  same  route,  toward  winter-quarters.  At  the  Humboldt 
Marshes,  on  the  31st  of  October,  several  new  species  were  added  to  the 
collection  during  the  single  evening  of  our  stay,  but  no  further  collections 
were  made  until  again  at  the  Truckee  Meadows,  where  we  remained  from 
November  7th  until  the  21st  of  the  same  month;  and  from  which  place  an 
excursion  to  the  Pea-vine  Mountains,  near  the  Sierra  Nevada,  was  made 
on  the  20th  inst,  in  company  with  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.  From  this  camp  we 
repaired  to  Carson  City,  and  remained  there  until  the  5th  of  December, 
when,  after  first  spending  one  day  in  the  pine  forests  of  the  Sierra  near 
Genoa,  we  revisited  the  Truckee  Reservation  near  Pyramid  Lake,  through 
facilitiesextended  by  Mr.  Parker,  who  accompanied  the  writer  and  assisted 
him  in  making  his  collections.  This  trip  was  made  via  the  Carson  River  to 
below  Fort  Churchill,  whence  the  desert  was  crossed  to  the  Big  Bend  of  the 
Truckee;  but  in  returning  the  river  was  followed  to  the  Meadows  (at  Glen- 
dale),  thence  to  Hunter's  Station,  and  across  the  valley  to  the  Steamboat 
Springs,  and  over  the  Virginia  Mountains,  to  Virginia  City  and  Carson. 

1868. — Winter-quarters  at  Carson  City  were  left  early  in  May,  for  the 
Truckee  Reservation,  which  was  reached  on  the  14th  inst.  Large  collections 
were  made  here,  the  most  important  being  from  the  island  and  '^pyramid" 
in  the  lake,  which  we  were  enabled  to  visit  through  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Parker,  who  placed  his  handsome  j^acht  ^* Nettie"  at  our  service,  and  assisted 
us  to  secure  large  numbers  of  the  previously  very  rare  eggs  of  several  species 
of  water-fowl  breeding  on  these  islands.  Early  in  June  we  repaired  to 
Virginia  City,  and  thence  to  Austin,  in  the  Toy abe  Mountains,  which  were 


312  ORNITHOLOGY. 

reached  on  the  first  of  July.  Collections  and  valuable  notes  were  made  by 
the  way,  especially  at  the  Carson  River,  seven  miles  above  Fort  Churchill 
(June  23d),  Fort  Churchill  (June  24th)^  Nevada  Statiop  (June  25th),  Soda 
Lake,  on  the  Carson  Desert,  (June  27th),  Sand  Springs,  (June  29th), 
Fairview  Valley,  (June  29th),  and  Edward's  Creek  (June  30th).  At  Austin 
we  remained  only  a  few  days,  when,  departing  for  Ruby  Valley,  we  arrived 
there  July  13th,  and  camped  at  the  base  of  the  mountains,  some  four  miles 
northward  of  Fort  Ruby.  Toward  the  last  of  August  we  left  this  place 
and  proceeded  northward  along  the  foot  of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains, 
pitching  camps  of  a  few  days'  duration  at  intervals  of  the  journey.  Crossing 
the  range  through  the  pass  known  as  Secret  Valley,  near  Fort  Halleck,  we 
approached  the  upper  portion  of  the  Humboldt  River,  and  in  continuing 
northward  camped  on  several  of  the  streams  flowing  from  the  lofty  Clover 
Mountains  into  the  Humboldt.  The  month  of  September  was  principally 
spent  in  traveling  northward  to  the  Humboldt  '*  Wells,'*  thence  thi'ough 
Thousand  Spring  Valley  to  the  Goose  Creek  Mountains,  crossing  which 
we  entered  the  southern  portion  of  Idaho  at  the  **City  of  Rocks,"  the 
most  northern  locality  reached;  from  whence  our  course  directed  eastward 
toward  Salt  Lake  City,  where  we  arrived  early  in  October.  At  intervals 
during  the  pursuance  of  the  route  traced,  small  collections  were  made,  when 
opportunity  permitted;  the  principal  stations  being — "Overland  Ranche," 
Ruby  Valley,  (August  26-29),  "Camp  22,"  Ruby  Valley,  (September  4-5), 
Secret  Valley  (September  6-8),  Bearing's  Ranche,  Upper  Humboldt  Valley 
(September  10-12),  Trout  Creek,  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  (September  16- 
20),  Thousand  Spring  Valley  (September  21-24),  "City  of  Rocks,"  southern 
'Idaho  (October  3),  and  Deep  Creek,  northwestern  Utah  (October  5). 

1869. — On  the  20th  of  May  of  this  year,  collecting  was  begun  at  Salt 
Lake  City,  and  continued  until  June  21st,  when  we  proceeded  to  Parley's 
Park,  about  twenty-five  miles  to  the  eastward,  in  the  Wahsatch  Mountains. 
In  the  meantime,  Antelope,  Stansbury,  and  Carrington  Islands,  in  the  Great 
Salt  Lake,  were  visited.  On  the  2d  of  July  an  excursion  was  made,  in 
company  with  the  botanists  of  the  expedition,  eastward  to  the  western 
spurs  of  the  Uintah  Mountains;  there  we  remained  from  the  3d  until  the  8th 
instant,  when  we  returned  to  the  main  camp  in  Parley's  Park  via  the  Provo 


PHYSICAL  FEATUIIES  OF  THE  GEE  AT  BASIN.  313 

Canon,  Utah  Lake,  and  Salt  Lake  City.  Work  was  continued  at  main 
camp  until  August  1  Gth,  when  collections  and  notes  were  packed  and  oui- 
field-work  ended. 

PHYSICAL   FEATURES    OF   THE   ^REAT   BASIN.  - 

While  the  region  traversed  by  the  survey  after  its  equipment  embraces 
the  entire  distance  from  Sacramento  City,  California,  to  points  in  Utah 
eastward  of  the  Salt  Lake  Valley,  the  actual  field-work  began  only  at  the 
eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  was  thus  entirely  confined  to  the 
interior  area  of  continental  drainage  known  to  geographers  as  the  Great 
Basin,  and  which  we  shall  frequently  refer  to  in  the  following  pages  by  this 
name,  as  well  as  by  that  of  the  *' Interior,"  a  convenient  synonymous  term. 
This  vast  area  corresponds  almost  strictly  in  its  geographical  boundaries 
with  the  ^'Middle  Province"  of  zoologists.  The  route  of  the  expedition 
was  mainly  across  the  middle  portion  of  tlie  Great  Basin  proper,  so  that 
the  fauna  encountered  was  that  typical  of  the  Middle  Province. 

In  few  regions  is  the  influence  directed  on  the  distribution  of  birds  by 
that  of  the  plants  so  manifest  to  the  observer  as  in  the  one  under  consid- 
eration; and  as  vegetation  is  influenced  so  materially  by  configuration  of 
the  surface,  conditions  of  the  soil,  elevation,  etc.,  a  brief  description  of  the 
physical  features  of  the  country  embraced  within  the  limits  of  our  trip  is 
necessary  to  the  intelligent  understanding  of  the  nature  of  the  Middle 
Province  avifauna,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  divided  into  bands  of 
restricted  range,  according  to  conditions  of  environment.  Such  an  excellent 
description  of  the  field  of  our  investigations  has  been  given  by  Mr.  Watson, 
the  botanist  of  the  expedition,  that  we  cannot  do  the  subject  greater  justice 
than  to  quote  the  following  from  *^  Geographical  Notes,"  on  pages  xiii-xvii 
of  the  Botanical  Report:^ — 

^  ProfessioDal  Papers  of  the  Eugineer  Department,  U.  S.  Army,  No.  18.  Report 
of  the  Geological  Exploration  of  the  Fortieth  Parallel,  made  by  order  of  the  Secretary 
of  War  according  to  acts  of  Congress  of  March  2, 1867,  and  March  3,  1869,  under  the 
direction  of  Brig,  and  B'vt  Major-General  A.  A.  Humphreys,  Chief  of  Engineers,  by 
Clarence  King,  U.  S.  Geologist.  Volume  V,  Botany.  By  Sereuo  Watson,  aided  by 
Prof.  Daniel  0.  Eaton  and  others.  Submitted  to  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  and  published 
by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War  under  authority  of  Congress.  Illustrated  by  a  Map 
and  Forty  Plates.    Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1871. 


314  ORNITHOLOGY. 

This  region  constitutes  the  northern  portion  of  what  was  at  first  designated  as 
the  "Great  Basin,"  the  high  plateau,  without  outlet  for  its  waters,  separated  on  the 
north  by  low  divides  from  the  valley  of  the  Snake  River  and  continuing  southward 
until  it  merges  into  the  desert  of  the  Lower  Colorado.  Geologically  considered^  how- 
ever, as  well  as  botanically,  the  term  is  now  properly  made  to  include  the  whole  similar 
arid  stretch  of  country  northward  to  the  plains  of  the  Oolumbia,  in  latitude  48<^. 

The  lofty  and  unbroken  range  of  the  Sierras  bounds  this  section  of  the  Basin 
on  the  one  side  by  its  steep  eastern  slope,  entering  Nevada  at  only  a  single  point, 
where  it  throws  over  the  border  a  high  flanking-spur,  the  Washoe  Mountains.  On  the 
opposite  side  lies  the  broad  and  nearly  equally  elevated  system  of  the  Wahsatch, 
broken  through  by  the  Bear,  Weber,  and  Frovo  Rivers,  which  head  among  the  peaks 
of  the  adjoining  Uintahs.  The  intervening  space,  460  miles  broad  in  latitude  42*^,  but 
narrowed  by  the  convergence  of  the  opposing  mountains  to  about  200  miles  in  latitude 
370,  is  for  the  most  part  occupied  by  numerous  short  and  somewhat  isolated  minor 
ranges,  having  a  general  north  and  south  trend,  and  at  average  distances  of  about 
twenty  miles.  The  bases  of  these  ranges  are  usually  very  narrow,  even  in  the  most 
elevated,  rarely  exceeding  eight  or  ten  miles  in  breadth,  the  slopes  abrupt  and  the  lines 
of  foot-hills  contracted,  the  mesas  grading  at  a  low  and  nearly  uniform  angle  into  the 
broad  uninterrupted  valleys.  Over  the  larger  portion  of  the  territory,  and  especially 
in  Nevada,  the  combined  areas  of  the  valleys  and  the  area  occupied  by  the  mountains 
and  accompanying  foothills  are  very  nearly  equal.  The  main  depressions  within  this 
region  are  two^  one  at  the  base  of  the  Sierras  at  a  level  of  aboat  3,850  feet  above  the 
sea,  into  which  flows  all  of  drainage  there  is  from  the  whole  northern  half  of  Nevada 
and  from  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierras,  the  other  the  "Great  Salt  Lake  Basiiiy"  at  an 
altitude  400  feet  greater,  close  upon  the  base  of  the  Wahsatch  and  receiving  the  waters 
from  that  range  above  latitude  40<>  and  from  the  northeastern  ix)rtion  of  the  Uintahs. 
Into  the  first  flow  the  Truckee,  Carson,  Quinn's,  and  Humboldt  Rivers.  The  Truckee 
is  a  cle^r,  cold  stream,  which  issues  from  Lake  Tahoe  in  the  Sierras,  and  after  a  rapid 
descent  breaks  through  the  Virginia  Mountains  and  turning  north  soon  empties  into 
Pyramid  and  Winnemucca  Lakes.  These  are  much  the  deepest  of  all  the  lakes  of  the 
Basin,  being  hemmed  in  by  mountains,  and  are  moderately  saline.  The  Carson  River 
also  rises  in  the  Sierras  farther  to  the  south,  but  after  leaving  the  base  of  the  moun- 
tains is  a  less  rapid  stream  and  gradually  becomes  somewhat  alkaline.  Inclining  more 
to  the  eastward  it  forms  a  small  shallow  lake  on  the  border  of  Carson  Desert,  and 
thence  issues  hi  a  number  of  devious  channels,  and  is  finally  spent  in  an  extensive 
*^sink^or  alkaline  mud-plain  of  some  twenty  or  thirty  miles  in  diameter.  Of  a  like 
character  are  the  "Mud  Lakes,'^  lying  north  of  Pyramid  Lake  and  fed  by  Quinn's 
River,  which  has  its  source  in  southeastern  Oregon.  Beyond  the  limits  of  the  survey 
to  the  south  are  Walker's  and  some  other  smaller  lakes,  supplied  by  streams  from  the 
Sierras,  but  all  strongly  saline* 

From  this  western  depression  the  general  level  af  the  country  rises  gradually  to 
the  eastward  very  nearly  to  the  border  of  Nevada,  where  the'  valleys  have  an  altitude 
of  about  6,000  feet.  Here  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  State  the  Humboldt  River 
takes  its  rise,  by  far  the  most  important  river  of  the  Basin,  not  only  as  the  longest  but 
as  opening  a  passage  for  three  hundred  miles  to  the  Central  Pacific  Railroad  through 
the  mountain  ranges,  that  would  otherwise  have  proved  a  serious  obstruction.  It  is 
nowhere  a  large  stream,  receives  few  affluents,  and  in  some  parts  of  its  course  is  very 


PHYSICAL  FEATDEES  OF  THE  GREAT  BASIN.  315 

tortuous.  It  at  length  spreads  out  into  Humboldt  Lake,  shallow  and  subalkaline,  and 
from  this  the  little  remaining  surplus  water  finds  its  way  in  a  manner  similar  to  the 
Carson  River  into  the  same  sink. 

The  descent  of  2,000  feet  from  eastern  Nevada  into  the  Great  Salt  Lake  Basin  is 
almost  immediate,  nearly  the  whole  northwestern  portion  of  Utah  being  an  alkaline 
desert,  broken  by  fewer  mountain  or  hill  ranges,  and  but  little  above  the  level  of  the) 
lake.  The  lake  itself  is  for  the  most  part  very  shallow,  in  no  place  over  60  feet  in 
depth,  the  waters  a  concentrated  solution  of  salt.  As  with  all  these  sheets  of  water 
the  shore  line  and  consequent  area  vary  greatly  in  different  years. 

The  intermediate  ranges  of  the  Basin  are  very  similar  to  each  other  in  character. 
They  vary  in  altitude  from  one  to  G,000  feet  above  the  valleys,  culminating  in  occa- 
sional peaks  scarcely  ever  so  rugged  that  they  cannot  be  ascended  from  some  direction 
upon  mules.  They  are  cut  up  by  numerous  ravines  or  *'cailons,"  which  are  narrow, 
very  rarely  with  an  acre  of  interval  or  surface  approaching  to  a  level,  the  sides  some- 
times rocky  or  precipitous,  more  frequently  sloping  to  the  summits  of  the  lateral  ridges. 
In  geological  structure  these  ranges  are  more  or  less  complicated,  showing  rocks  of  all 
ages  from  the  azoic  to  the  glacial  period,  here  metamorphic  rocks,  quartzites,  slate,  and 
limestones,  there  an  outburst  of  granite  or  syenite,  volcanic  rocks  of  often  the  most 
diverse  and  picturesque  colors,  or  broad  table-lauds  of  lava  overflow.  The  erosion  and 
decouiposition  of  these  various  rocks  have  filled  the  valleys  to  a  monotonous  level  with 
a  detritus  of  gravel,  sand  or  silt,  and  given  to  them  that  accumulation  of  alkaline  salts 
which  is  so  marked  a  peculiarity  of  the  country. 

With  few  exceptions,  also,  these  mountains  are  for  most  of  the  year  wholly  desti- 
tute of  water,  with  but  small  rivulets  in  the  principal  canons,  frequently  with  only 
scanty  springs  here  and  there  at  their  bases,  irrigating  a  few  square  yards  of  ground. 
Even  where  the  mountain  supply  is  sufficient  to  send  a  stream  into  the  valleys  it  is 
usually  either  soon  entirely  evaporated,  sinks  into  the  porous  soil,  or  becomes  demor- 
alized with  alkali  and  is  ^'losb"  in  the  mud  of  the  plain.  The  lowest  portion  of  nearly 
every  valley  is  occupied  by  some  extent  of  alkali  flat,  where  in  the  winter  season, the 
water  collects  and  the  softened  clay-like  mud  is  bottomless  and  impassable.  As 
the  moisture  evaporates  under  the  heat  of  coming  summer  the  level  naked  surface 
becomes  hard  and  pavement-like,  or  covered  with  a  snowy  incrustation  or  deposit  of 
salt  or  carbonates.  The  springs  and  wells  even  are  often  more  or  less'  saline,  and 
thermal  springs  are  not  rare. 

The  chief  exceptional  ranges  in  northern  Nevada,  which  from  their  greater  altitude 
receive  heavier  snowfalls  in  winter,  retained  through  the  year  in  greater  or  less  quantity 
in  the  more  sheltered  depressions  of  the  higher  peaks,  and  which  in  summer  are  subject 
to  more  abundant  rains,  are  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  100  miles  east  of  the 
California  State  line,  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  75  miles  from  the  Utah  line,  and 
the  Toyabes,  nearly  intermediate  between  the  two.  Star  Peak  is  the  highest  point  of 
the  first  range,  with  an  altitude  of  nearly  10,000  feet,  but  with  little  deposit  of  snow 
and  the  vegetation  of  the  summit  scarcely  sub  alpine.  Several  constant  streams  here 
flow  from  the  principal  eastern  canons  and  reach  the  middle  of  the  valley,  where  they 
supply  irrigation  for  as  many  small  ranches.  The  Toyabe  Range,  especially  injts 
southern  portion,  is  higher,  several  of  its  peaks  having  an  altitude  of  from  10,000  to 
12,000  feet,  with  more  snow  and  fuller  streams.  The  waters  of  the  eastern  slope  are  spent 
in  Smoky  Valley.    On  the  western  side  lies  Reese  River,  flowing  northward  toward  the 


316  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Humboldt,  of  which  it  is  a  reputed  tributary.  lu  the  upper  portion  of  its  course  of  350 
miles  it  is  reenforced  to  some  extent  by  the  drainage  of  the  Shoshone  Mountains,  a 
rather  high  range  west  of  the  Toyabes,  but  as  it  nears  Humboldt  Valley  it  diverges 
into  side-channels  and  seldom  has  volume  sui&cient  to  reach  the  main  river  itself. 

The  East  Humboldt  Mountains  are  by  far  the  most  stern  and  alpine  of  all  these 
ranges,  the  main  peaks  between  11,000  and  13,000  feet  in  height,  precipitous  and 
ragged,  the  deeper  canons  evidently  scooped  out  by  glaciers,  gemmed  with  snow  fed 
lakes  beneath  the  peaks  and  carrying  full  streams  into  the  valleys.  The  southern 
portion,  however,  below  Fr^inont^s  Pass,  is  less  rugged  and  of  different  geological 
structure,  mainly  of  nearly  horizontal  strata  of  limestone.  The  canons  here,  often 
mere  gorges,  with  close  precipitous  walls,  are  perfectly  dry  on  the  eastern  slope,  the 
melting  snows  sinking  almost  immediately,  but  reappearing  at  the  base  in  bold  ice-cold 
springs.  The  water  from  these  springs  and  streams  reunites  to  form  Ruby  and  Frank- 
lin Lakes,  bodies  of  nearly  fresh  water,  very  shallow,  and  largely  occupied  by  a  dense 
growth  of  "Tule''  {Scirpvs  validm).  As  usual  in  these  ranges  the  western  slope  is  much 
the  more  gentle,  with  a  broader  line  of  foot-hills.  The  streams  upon  this  side  form  the 
South  Fork  of  the  Humboldt.  The  *  Clover  Mountains^  of  the  Catalogue  form  the 
northern  extremity  of  this  range,  isolated  by  a  depression  known  as  Secret  Valley, 
but  of  equal  height  and  similar  character. 

Such  is  a  general  description  of  the  country  as  far  east  of  the  foot  of  the 
Wahsatch  in  Utah.  These  mountains,  upon  a  broad  base  of  nearly  fifty  miles  in 
width,  and  with  an  irregular  crest-line  10-12,000  feet  high,  have  a  system  of  long, 
deep,  well-watered  canons,  often  exceedingly  rocky,  and  sometimes  cleft  like  a  gateway 
to  the  valley  level, with  perpendicular  mountain-walls  on  each  side,  but  usually  opeuing 
out  at  some  part  of  their  course  into  meadow-like  basins  or  "parks.^  The  prevalent 
western  winds  deposit  their  moisture,  which  they  have  gathered  in  the  traverse  of  the 
Basin,  in  abundant  snows  in  winter  and  at  other  seasons  in  frequent  and  occasionally 
heavy  rains.  The  upper  canons  and  mountain  slopes  are  to  some  extent  timbered, 
much  more  generally  so  than  in  any  of  the  ranges  westward,  and  the  naked  peaks 
above  have  a  truly  alpine  vegetation.  The  Uintahs,  which  connect  immediately  with 
the  Wahsatch  and  extend  eastward  on  the  line  of  the  4l8t  parallel  for  a  distance  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  Green  River,  where  they  meet  the  outspurs  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  of  Colorado,  have  more  of  the  character  of  those  mountains,  with 
broad  open  cafions  and  extended  lines  of  foot-hills,  the  peaks  overtopping  those  of  the 
Wahsatch,  glacier-scored  and  polished  at  the  northern  base,  but  the  declivity  upou 
the  opposite  side  stretching  southward  beyond  the  limits  of  vision  in  a  high  plateau 
broken  only  by  the  deeply-worn  channels  of  numerous  rapid  streams,  tributaries  of 
the  Uintah  and  Green  Rivers. 

LOCAL  AVIFAUNuE   OP   THE   GREAT   BASIN. 

We  have  gone  thus  into  detail  with  regard  to  the  more  prominent 
characteristic  features  of  the  Great  Basin  for  the  reason  that  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  birds  depends  so  much  upon  that  of  the  vegetation;  and  as  we 
know  that  the  latter  is  separated  into  several  quite  distinct  groups,  whose 
distribution  depends  upon  altitude,   humidity,  proportionate   amount  of 


LOCAL  AVIFAUNA  OF  THE  GREAT  BASIN.  317 

alkaline  salts  in  the  soil,  aiid  other  causes,  we  may  easily  correlate  the  bird- 
fauna  into  corresponding  sections. 

The  boundaries  between  local  floras  of  entirely  different  character  are 
usually  so  abrupt  in  tlie  Great  Basin  that  often  a  single  step  will  lead  from 
one  to  the  other;  thus,  the  upper  limit  of  Ae  *'pine  belt"  on  the  mountains 
marks  a  given  line  where  the  trees  disappear  almost  immediately,  and  these 
begin  almost  as  suddenly  at  the  lower  edge  of  the  zone;  narrow  belts  of 
mountain  mahogany,  western  cedar,  or  cedar  and  piilon  together,  may  fol- 
low in  the  order  given,  but  there  is  usually  no  marked  straggling  of  these 
trees  where  they  meet  the  sage-brush,  as  if  disputing  possession  of  the 
ground.  The  sage-brush  reigns  supreme  from  the  base  of  the  foot-hills  to  the 
brink  of  the  mesa,  or  over  the  elevated  plain  extending  from  the  foot  of  the 
mountains  to  the  narrow  valleys  of  the  streams,  where  only  the  steep,  nearly 
naked  bluffs  separate  the  squalid  growth  of  the  higher  level  from  the  more 
thrifty  growth  of  the  same  plants,  first  with  grease-wood  intermingled, 
which  occupies  the  outer  portion  of  the  valley-floor;  then  follows  the  green- 
sward of  salt-grass  in  the  moister  portion  of  the  valley,  while  nearer  the  river 
are  thickets  of  low  willows,  or  in  exceptionally  rich  valleys  buffalo-Jberry 
and  other  shrubs,  with  cotton-wood  trees  interspersed.  In  a  like  manner 
the  luxuriant  shrubbery  of  the  mountains  is  usually  restricted  to  the  margin 
of  the  brooks  in  the  bottom  of  the  callons  or  ravines,  where  often  the  slopes 
so  nearly  meet  that  scarcely  room  is  left  for  a  trail.  Such  are  the  main 
features  of  the  distribution  of  vegetation  in  this  region,  subject,  of  course, 
to  numerous  and  sometimes,  but  not  often,  complicated  local  modifications. 

The  strict  correlation  between  the  birds  and  plants  in  this  matter  of 
distribution  was  a  fact  immediately  noticed,  and  the  more  firmly  impressed 
toward  the  close  of  our  long  period  of  observations  in  the  field ;  each  local- 
ity of  particular  vegetation  being  inhabited  by  its  own  peculiar  set  of  birds 
with  almost  unvarying  certainty.  In  order  to  familiarize  the  reader  with 
the  local  causes  which  govern  the  distribution  of  the  birds  within  the  Great 
Basin  the  acC/Ompanying  arrangement  of  the  more  distinct  types  of  locali- 
ties is  given,  followed  by  lists  of  the  species  of  birds  characteristic  of  each. 
It  is  of  course  to  be  understood  that  by  characteristic  we  do  not  mean  that 
a  bird  is  found  in  the  sort  of  locality  to  which  it  is  assigned,  and  nowhere 


318  ORNITHOLOGY. 

else,  but  simply  that  such  a  place  is  where  it  is  most  abundant,  or  most 
likely  to  be  found ;  and  also,  that  the  arrangement  presented  is  based  upon 
the  distribution  of  the  species  during  the  breeding-season. 

There  are,  however,  certain  species  whose  distribution  seems  to  be  in 
nowise  connected  with  vegetation,  the  considerations  which  influence  their 
range  being  the  presence  of  water,  of  rocks,  or  of  earth-banks ;  but  these 
form  a  small  proportion  of  the  summer  residents,  most  of  them  being  the 
water-fowl,  and  of  these  many  might  be  assigned  to  the  meadow  series, 
since  they  nearly  all  resort  to  the  meadows  to  breed. 

The  main  natural  subdivisions  of  the  avifauna  of  the  Interior,  as  above 
determined,  are  the  following ; — 

J.  Arboreal  Avifauna. 

1.  Birds  of  the  pine-region,  or  higher  coniferous  forests.    (18  species.) 

2.  Birds  of  the  cedar  or  nut-pine  groves.    (9  species.) 

3.  Birds  of  the  aspen  groves  or  copses.    (7  species.) 

4.  Birds  of  the  canon  shrubbery.    (7  species.) 

5.  Birds  of  the  wooded  river-valleys.    (25  species.) 

IL  Terrestrial  Avifauna. 

6.  Birds  of  the  sage-brush.    (10  species.) 

7.  Birds  of  the  mountain  meadows,  or  parks.    (9  species.) 

8.  Birds  of  the  lowland  meadows.    (8  species.) 

TIL  Mural  Avifauna. 

9.  Species  strictly  saxicoline.    (2  species.) 

10.  Species  saxicoline  only  in  nesting  habits.    (5  species.) 

11.  Species  nesting  in  earth-banks.    (3  species.) 

IV.  Aquatic  Avifauna. 

12.  Water  birds.    (41  species.) 

1.  Birds  of  the  pine-region^  or  higher  coniferous  woods. — Compared  with 
the  general  extent  of  the  Interior;  the  wooded  portions  are  exceedingly 
limited,  the  only  approach  to  a  continuous  forest  encountered  being  that 
clothing  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  the  more  scant  and 
interrupted  forests  of  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintahs,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Basin.  Between  these  two  distant  forest-clad  mountain  systems  no  true 
forests  exist,  only  a  few  of  the  loftier  ranges  supporting  an  extensive  tree- 
growth  on  their  higher  summits,  forming  islands,  as  it  were,  in  a  sea  of  desert. 


LOCAL  AVIFAUNA  OF  THE  GREAT  BASIN. 


319 


Woods  of  ConifersB  form  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  sylva  of  the  Great 
Basin,  and  though  diflFering  somewhat  in  their  character  have  much  the 
same  bird-fauna  wherever  they  exist,  the  only  decided  difference  with 
locality  being  the  replacing  of  species  of  one  side  by  representative  forms 
on  the  opposite  side.  On  the  Sierra  Nevada  these  forests  are  much  more 
extensive  than  anywhere  to  the  eastward,  and  the  growth  far  larger  and 
more  dense,  consisting  chiefly  of  Pinus  ponderosa^  but  with  which  are  mixed 
Abies  grandis^  A.  menziesii^  A.  douglasii,  Libocedrus  decurrenSj  and  perhaps 
some  other  trees.  Of  these  species,  only  the  latter  did  not  occur  to  the 
eastward,  where,  on  the  higher  ranges,"  as  the  East  Humboldt,  Wahsatch, 
and  Uintahs,  Pinus  halfourianUj  P.  flexilis,  Abies  englemanni^  A.  amabilis  (?), 
and  Jimiperics  virginianus  occurred  as  additional  species. 

The  birds  peculiar  to  these  dark  woods  are  far  less  numerous  than  those 
found  only  in  the  more  open  and  sunny  groves  of  the  river  valleys,  but  eigh- 
teen species  being  noted  as  peculiar  to  them,  exclusive  of  those  restricted  to 
one  side  of  the  Basin.     The  strictly  pinicoline  species  are  the  following:  — 

l^ot  arboreal. 


1.  Cinclus  mexicanus. 

2.  Kegalus  calendula. 

3.  Parus  montanus. 

4.  Sitta  aculeata. 

5.  Sitta  canadensis. 

6.  Sitta  pygmaea. 

7.  Certhia  amerieana. 

8.  DendroBca  audaboni. 

9.  Pyranga  ludoviciana. 


10.  Loxia  leucoptera. 

11.  CarpodaCQS  cassini. 

12.  Ohrysomitris  pinus. 

13.  Picicorvus  columbiunas. 

14.  Contopus  borealis. 

15.  Empidonax  difficilis. 

16.  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus. 

17.  Oanace  obscura. 

18.  Bonasa  umbelloides. 


The  representative  and  peculiar  species  of  the  opposite  mountain  sys- 
tems are  as  follows :  — 

Eepresentative  species. 

Wahsatch  and  Uintahs. 


Sierra  Nevada. 

X.  Junco  oregonus. 
2.  Oyanura  frontalis. 

1.  Turdus  ustulatus. 

2.  Sphyrapicus  ruber. 

3.  Picas  albolarvatus. 


1.  Junco  caniceps. 

2,  Oyanura  macrolopha. 

Peculiar  species.^ 

[None.J 


^  Of  these  species  the  two  in  italics  are  represented  in  the  eastern  ranges  by  closely 
allied  forms,  T.  swainsoni  and  8.  nuchalis^  but  they  are  not  inhabitants  of  the  pines, 
the  former  being  confined  to  the  cafion  shrubbery  and  the  latter  to  the  aspen  groves. 


320  ORNITOOLOGY. 

2.  Birds  of  the  cedar  or  nut-pine  groves,— Th^m  groves  are  generally 
found  on  the  lower  slopes  and  foot-hills  of  the  desert  ranges,  between 
elevations  of  about  5,000  and  7,000  feet,  and  occur  even  in  the  most  barren 
and  arid  districts.  In  general,  two  species,  the  western  cedar  (Juniperus 
occidentalis)  and  the  nut-pine,  or  pifion  (Pinus  monophyllm)^  are  mixed 
together,  but  often  only  one  species,  the  former,  is  the  sole  constituent  of 
these  groves,  this  being  usually  the  case  on  the  more  barren  mountains  in 
the  absolutely  waterless  districts;  the  latter,  on  the  other  hand,  prevailing 
on  those  ranges  which  have  copious  streams  in  the  canons.  These  trees  are 
of  low,  compact  habit  and  unshapely  form,  their  height  rarely  exceeding 
15  feet,  while  the  branches  are  characteristically  crooked  and  the  trunks 
short,  rugged,  and  twisted.^  Along  the  upper  edge  of  this  belt  occur,  more 
or  less  plentifully,  trees  of  the  ^^ mountain  mahogany"  {Cercocarpus  ledifoUus), 
equally  stunted  and  scraggy,  but  with  scant,  deciduous  foliage.  These 
monotonous  groves  are  seldom  inhabited  by  many  birds,  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  are  often  so  nearly  devoid  of  animal  life  that  an  entire  day  may  be 
spent  among  the  gnarled  and  stunted  trees  without  a  single  living  thing 
being  seen,  or  a  sound  heard  except  the  far-away  croak  of  a  solitary  raven 
from  some  distant  hills.  Sometimes,  however,  the  profound  silence  is 
broken  for  a  moment  by  the  chattering  of  a  Gray  Titmouse  {Lophophanes 
inornatus)  or  the  twittering  of  a  straggling  troop  of  the  diminutive  *' Fairy 
Titmice"  {Psaltriparus  plumbeus)j  while  the  intruder  may  be  suddenly 
startled  by  the  piercing  whistle  of  a  little  Chipmunk  {Tamias  quadrivittatus). 
Occasionally,  a  solitary  Myiadestes  townsendi  flies  silently  by,  and  more 
frequently  a  flock  of  querulous  Piilon  Jays  {GymnoMtta  cyanocephald) 
sweeps  overhead,  when  all  is  again  silent.    In  case  these  woods  occur  on 

^  On  the  foot-bills  or  lower  slopes  of  the  Wahsatch  these  woods  are  represented 
by  the  dwarf-oak  **  scrub'' — the  western  cedar  having  disappeared  far  to  the  westward. 
This  scrub  consists  of  a  dense  growth  of  oak  bashes  about  5-15,  rarely  20,  feet  high, 
the  species  being  considered  by  botanists  a  dwarf  form  of  Quercus  alba.  The  birds 
inhabiting  these  ojaks  are  much  the  same  as  those  found  in  the  eedar  and  nut-pine 
groves,  with  the  exception  of  GymnoMtta  cyanocephala  and  Myiadestes  townsendij  the 
first  of  which  appears  to  be  peculiar  to  the  cedars,  while  thd  other  occurs  elsewhere 
only  in  the  high  coniferous  woods.  In  addition  to  these  species,  Helminthophaga  vir- 
ginios^  Pipilo  megalonyx^  and  Cyanocitta  tcoodhousii  may  be  regarded  among  the  most 
characteristic  species  of  the  pak  thickets. 


LOCAL  AVIFAUNA  OF  THE  GREAT  BASIK  321 

the  foot-hills  and  lower  slopes  of  the  higher  and  more  fertile  ranges,  they 
may  be  occa-sionally  visited  by  several  species  from  the  pine-region  higher 
up,  or  from  the  adjacent  cafion  shrubbery.  The  following,  however,  are 
particularly  characteristic  of  the  cedar  and  nut-pine  groves:  — 


1.  Myiadestes  townsendi. 

2.  Sialia  arctica, 

3.  Lophophanes  inornatus. 

4.  Lanivireo  plambeus. 

5.  Collurio  excubitoroides. 


6.  Spizella  arizonsB. 

7.  Scolecophagus  cyanocephalus. 

8.  Gyranokitta  cyanocephala.^ 

9.  Empidonax  obscarus. 


3.  Birds  of  the  aspen  groves  and  copses. — The  aspens  {Populus  trem- 
uloides)  occur  only  on  the  higher,  well-watered  ranges,  commonly  in  the 
upper  canons,  in  moist  and  sheltered  situations  just  below  the  fields  or 
patches  of  perpetual  snow.  The  slender  trees  composing  these  groves  or 
copses  are  seldom  large,  never,  except  perhaps  on  certain  of  the  more 
eastern  ranges,  exceeding  30  or  40  feet  in  height,  and  usually  not  more  than 
half  so  tall.  They  are  of  straight,  clean  habit,  however,  with  a  smooth 
whitish-green  bark,  and  are  carpeted  underneath  by  a  varied  herbaceous 
growth,  among  which  beautiful  ferns  are  sometimes  conspicuous.  The 
characteristic  birds  of  the  aspens  are  not  numerous,  the  following  being  all 
,  that  were  noted: — 


1.  Tardus  inigratorius. 

2.  Progne  subis. 

3.  Helminthophaga  celata. 

4.  Empidonax  obscurus. 


5.  Empidonax  hammondi. 

6.  Picas  gairdneri. 

7.  Sphyrapicus  nuchalis. 


Several  of  the  above,  or  all  with  the  exception  of  the  last  three,  and 
Helminthophaga  celata,  are  rather  to  be  considered  as  species  of  general  and 
variable  range,  since  they  may  sometimes  be  found  in  very  considerable 
abundance  in  other  wooded  localities. 

4.  Birds  of  the  canon  shrubbery. — Several  of  the  higher  ranges  of  the 
Interior  receive  sufficient  precipitation,  or  retain  throughout  the  summer 
snow  enough  near  their  summits,  to  supply  the  main  ravines  and  caiions 
with  constant  streams  of  water;  and  these  nourish  a  thrifty  or  often  luxu- 
riant shrubby  growth  along  their  banks,  where  many  species  of  birds  resort, 

^  This  species  we  believe  to  be  entirely  pecaliar  to  these  woods,  its  food  appar- 
ently consisting  exclasively  of  the  seeds  and  berries  of  the  nat-pine  and  cedar. 
21  PE 


322  ORNITHOLOGY, 

as  their  favorite  haunt.  These  shrubs  are  of  various  species,  different  ones 
of  which  predominate  in  different  localities,  the  more  common  kinds  being 
Cornus  pubescens^  upon  the  berries  of  which  many  birds  feed  almost  exclu- 
sively in  the  fall,  Sambucm  glauca^  Prunus  demissay  Bibes  irriguum^  Alnus 
incanUf  and,  more  rarely,  Cratmgus  rivularis^  while  in  many  localities  species 
of  Salix  are  also  a  common  component  of  the  thickets  along  the  cafion 
streams.^    The  birds  particularly  characteristic  of  this  section  are:  — 


1.  Psaltriparos  plurabeus. 

2.  Geothlypis  macgillivrayi. 

3.  Hedymeles  melanocephalus. 

4.  Cyanospiza  amoeaa. 


5.  Melospiza  fallax. 

6.  Cyanocitta  woodhousii. 

7.  Empidonax  pusillus. 


In  addition  to  these,  Turdm  swainsonij^  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis,  Seto- 
phaga  ruticillay^  and  Passerella  schistacea  were  found  in  the  Wahsatch  region. 

5.  The  Birds  of  the  wooded  river-valleys, — As  a  rule,  the  valleys  of  the 
rivers  in  the  Great  Basin  are  destitute  of  trees,  like  the  adjacent  mesas ;  but 
in  the  '*  western  depression"  are  two  notable  exceptions  in  the  Truckee  and 
Carson  Rivers,  both  of  which  are  bordered  along  the  lower  portion  of  their 
course  by  inviting  groves  or  scattered  clumps  of  large  and  beautiful  cotton- 
wood  trees  {Populus  monilifera)  and  dense  copses  of  a  smaller  species, 
P.  trichocarpa.  The  buffalo-berry  (Shepherdia  argentea)  and  willows  {Salix, 
species)  foim  the  greater  part  of  the  shrubbery,  but  they  are  associated 
with  numerous  other  woody  plants.  In  the  possession  of  these  features 
the  lower  portions  of  the  valleys  of  both  the  above-named  streams  share 
in  common,  but  the  timber  along  the  latter  is  less  regularly  distributed, 
although  in  places  equally  extensive. 

Localities  so  inviting  as  these  being  extremely  rare  and  distant  from 
each  other,  it  follows  as  a  natural  consequence  that  the  birds  are  found 
greatly  multiplied  both  in  species  and  individuals  in  these  restricted  oases. 

Un  the  East  Humboldt  MouDtaios,  but  more  especially  in  the  Wahsatch,  other 
species,  belonging  to  the  Boeky  Mountiiin  region,  are  added,  the  number  being  small 
in  the  first-named  range,  but  in  the  latter  very  considerable,  and  embracing  several 
eastern  species.  In  the  canons  of  the  Wahsatch,  for  instance,  are  found  Betula  oeci- 
dentalisj  Rhus  aromaticay  R.  glabra,  Acer  grandidentatum^  Negiindo  aceroides,  and  8am» 
hucus  racemosa.    [See  Watson,  Botanical  Eeport,  p.  xxxvii.] 

^  Found  also  as  far  west  as  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  in  September. 

^Noticed  only  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  canons,  and  more  commonly  in  the 
valleys,  as  was  also  the  case  with  Oaleoscoptes  carolitiifnsis. 


LOCAL  AVIFAUNA  OP  THE  GREAT  BASIN.  323 

Indeed,  to  realize  how  attractive  the  river-valleys  must  be  to  the  feathered 
tribe,  one  has  but  to  cross  the  almost  limitless  desert  on  either  side,  with  a 
scorching  sun  overhead  and  little  else  than  glaring,  heated  sand  beneath 
his  feet,  and  after  thus  suffering  all  day  come  suddenly  to  the  verge  of 
one  of  these  lovely  valleys,  with  the  fields  and  groves  of  verdure  close 
by,  while  the  refreshing  breeze  brings  to  the  ear  the  rippling  of  cooling 
waters  and  the  glad  voices  of  the  birds !  The  merry  Uttle  Wood- Wrens 
{Troglodytes  parJcmanni)  gabble  and  chatter  among  the  trunks  and  massive 
branches  of  the  old  cotton- wood  trees;  black-and-orange  orioles  (Icterus 
bullocki)  and  crimson-headed  linnets  (Carpodacus  frontalis)  whistle  plaint- 
ively or  chant  a  cheerful  ditty  as  they  sport  among  the  leafy  branches, 
while  from  the  willows  or  the  more  open  thickets  is  heard  the  mellow  flute- 
like song  of  the  Black-headed  Grosbeak  (Hedymeles  melanocephalus). 

The  birds  most  characteristic  of  the  wooded  river-valleys   are  the 
following: — 


1.  Sialia  mexicana. 

2.  Troglodytes  parkmanni. 

3.  Dendrceca  SBStiva. 

4.  Geothlypis  trichas. 

5.  Icteria  longicauda. 

6.  Myiodioctes  pusillus, 

7.  Tachycineta  bicolor. 

8.  Vireosylvia  swaiasoni. 

9.  Carpodacus  frontalis. 

10.  Chrysomitris  tristis. 

11.  Oyanospiza  amcena. 

12.  Pipilo  oregonus. 

13.  Icterus  DuUocki. 


14.  Pica  hudsonica. 

15.  Tyrannus  carolinensis. 

16.  Tyrannus  verticalis. 

17.  Myiarchus  cinerascens* 

18.  Contopus  richardsoni. 

19.  Empidouax  pusillus. 

20.  Coccyzus  americanus. 

21.  !^reph(Bcetes  borealis. 

22.  Ohaetura  vauxi. 

23.  Otus  wilsonlanus. 

24.  Falco  sparverius. 

25.  ZensBdura  carolinensis. 


6.  Birds  of  the  sage-brush. — The  term  "sage-brush"  is  the  western 
vernacular  for  that  shrubby  growth  which  prevails  over  the  valleys,  mesas, 
and  desert  mountain- slopes  of  the  Great  Basin  to  the  utter  exclusion  of  all 
other  vegetation,  except  in  isolated  and  extremely  restricted  places.  One 
species,  the  "everlasting  sage-brush"  (Artemisia  tridentata)^  composes  by 
far  the  larger  part  of  that  growth,  "covering  valleys  and  foot-hills  in  broad 
stretches  farther  than  the  eye  can  reach,  the  growth  never  so  dense  as  to 
seriously  obstruct  the  way,  but  very  uniform  over  large  surfaces,  very 
rarely  reaching  to  the  saddle-height  of  a  mule,  and  ordinarily  but  half  that 


324  ORNITHOLOGY. 

altitude."  The  species  just  mentioned  is  not  the  exclusive  component  of 
the  "sage-brush''  however,  for  quite  a  number  of  other  shrubs,  belonging 
to  many  genera  and  several  widely-different  orders,  are  mingled  with  it  in 
varying  abundance,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil,  some  prevailing  on 
the  most  arid  or  sandy  places,  and  others  thriving  best  where  the  soil  is 
strongly  alkaline.  Those  additional  to  the  species  given  above,  a're  mainly 
the  following,  named  in  the  order  of  their  abundance:  Ohione  con ferti folia 
("grease-wood"),  0.  canescem^  Sarcobatus  vermiculatuSy  Linosyris  viscidiflora, 
Qrayia  polygaloides,  Halostachys  occidentalism  Linosyris  graveolens  ("broom- 
sage"),  Artemisia  trifida,  A.  spinescens,  JEurotia  lanata,  Purshia  tridentata^ 
Ephedra  anHsyphilitica^  and  Tetradymia  canescens.  [See  Botanical  Report,  p. 
xxvi.]  Tlie  genera  named  above  belong  to  the  following  orders:  Artemisia, 
Linosyris  J  and  Tetradymia  to  the  Compositse;  Ohione^  Sarcobatus ,  Grayia, 
and  Eurotia  to  the  Chenopodiacese;  Purshia  to  the  Rosacae,  and  Ephedra 
to  the  Gnetacese.  The  general  aspect  of  these  plants  is  quite  the  same, 
however,  in  the  different  species,  all  having  a  similar  scraggy,  stunted 
appearance,  with  dull-grayish  foliage  in  which  there  is  but  the  slightest 
suspicion  of  green,  and  a  characteristic,  disagreeable,  pungent  odor;  and 
in  the  utter  absence  of  other  shrubs  over  areas  hundreds  of  square  miles 
in  extent,  they  constitute  a  most  miserable  apology  for  vegetation. 

The  most  numerous  animals  of  these  arid  wastes  are  the  various  species 
of  lizards,  which  are  startled  at  every  step  as  one  walks  along,  and  run 
nimbly  to  one  side — some  kinds  disappearing  like  a  flash,  so  swift  are  they, 
while  the  larger  species  in  their  flight  scatter  the  fine  gravel  and  sand  so  as 
to  make  it  fairly  rattle.  These  reptiles  were  most  numerous  in  the  western 
depression,  and  it  was  found  that  they  abounded  most  on  the  burning 
deserts,  farthest  from  water. 

The  birds  characteristic  of  the  sage-brush  are  not  numerous,  either  as 
to  species  or  individuals,  but  several  of  them  are  peculiar  to  these  districts; 
the  characteristic  or  peculiar  species  are  these: — 


1.  Oreoscoptes  montanus. 

2.  Amphispiza  nevadensis, 

3.  Amphispiza  bilineata. 

4.  SpizeDa  breweri. 

5.  Chondestes  grammaca. 


G.  Ereinopliila  alpestris. 

7.  Antrostomus  nottalli. 

8.  Chordeiles  henryi. 

9.  S^>eotyto  hypogaea. 

10*  Centroeercus  urophasianus. 


LOCAL  AVIFAtJN^  OP  THE  GREAT  BASIN.  325 

7.  Birds  of  the  mountain-meadows  or  ^^parhsP — On  the  higher  ranges 
of  the  Interior,  the  gentle  slopes  of  the  upper  canons  support  the  richest 
or  most  varied  vegetation  of  the  entire  region ;  especially  is  this  the  case 
when  they  incline  so  gently  as  to  form  broad  and  nearly  level  meadows  on 
either  side  of  the  main  stream,  with  pine  forests  and  snow-fields  on  the 
higher  ridges  and  a  copious  volume  of  water  in  all  the  brooks  and  rivulets. 
Here  the  streams  are  bordered  for  their  whole  length  with  a  luxuriant 
shrubbery,  the  bushes  consisting  of  numerous  species,  and  overtopped  here* 
and  there  by  occasional  trees  of  the  narrow-leafed  cotton-wood  (Fopulus 
angiistifoUa)j  sometimes  of  50  or  60  feet  in  height  The  higher  slopes  are 
densely  matted  with  low  but  vigorous  bushes  of  ^^laurel"  {Ceanothus 
velutinus,  C,  sorediatus,  and,  in  some  ranges,  Arctostaphylos  glaitca)^  with 
coriaceous,  shining,  deep-  or  dark-green  foliage.  The  greater  portion  of 
these  upper  slopes,  however,  are  mainly  covered  with  a  rank  herbaceous 
growth,  composed  of  very  numerous  species,  and  in  season  brilliant  with  a 
variety  of  flowers  of  beautiful  or  showy  appearance,  among  which  the  blue 
spikes  or  panicles  of  Ltipinus  and  Pentsiemon,  the  orange-red  bracts  of 
Castilleia,  and  the  lovely  scarlet  blossoms  of  Gilia  aggregata  are  among  the 
most  conspicuous.  Species  of  Geranium  are  also  very  prevalent  in  places, 
while,  in  many  localities,  low  bushes  of  SympJioricarpus  montanus  are  scat- 
tered through  the  herbage. 

The  birds  most  characteristic  of  these  flowery  slopes  are  not  numerous, 
but  among  them  are  several  fine  singers,  whose  clear  and  musical  voices  are 
among  the  pleasant  memories  of  these  salubrious  spots^  The  following  are 
the  most  characteristic  species : — 


1.  Zonotriohia  intermedia.  ( Western  ranges,) 

2.  Zonotriohia  leucopbrys.  {Eastern  ranges.) 

3.  Passerella  schistacea. 

4.  Pooecetes  confinis. 

5.  Melospiza  lincolni. 


6.  Pipilo  chlorurus, 

7.  Stellula  calliope. 

8.  Selasphorus  platycercus. 

9.  Trochilus  alexaudri. 


8.  Birds  of  the  lowland -meadows, — The  lowland  meadows  include  the 
bright  sward  of  ''salt- grass"  {Brizopyrum  spicatumj  van  strictum)  oi  the  low 
river- valleys,  the  ''bunch  grass"  {Poa  tenuifolia  and  Eriocoma  cuspidata^y 
scattered  over  the  foot-hills,  the  patches  of  "rye-grass"  [Elymus  condensatus?) 


326  ORKITHOLOGY. 

near  the  entrance  to  the  cations,  and  also  the  sedge  and  tule  marshes,  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  lakes  and  rivers.  The  birds  most  characteristic  of 
the  meadows  are  all  mostly  pecuHar  to  them,  being  seldom  if  ever  found  in 
other  locaHties.  Besides  the  land-birds  here  enumerated,  a  multitude  of  the 
water-fowl  resort  to  the  meadows  during  the  breeding-season,  but  these  are 
best  given  in  a  separate  list.  The  most  characteristic  birds  of  the  meadows 
are  the  following: — 

1.  Telmatodytes  paludicola Marslies. 

2.  Coturniculus  perpallidus Dry  meadows. 

3.  Passerculas  alaudinus Wet  meadows. 

4.  Agelseus  phcBniceus Marshes. 

6,  Xanthoceplialus  icterocephalu8..Jlf ar«i^e«. 

6.  Starnella  neglecta Everywhere  except  in  marshes. 

7.  Pedicecetes  columbianus Dry  meadows. 

8.  Grus  canadensis -  Wet  meadows. 

9-11.  Mural  Avifauna. — This  group  is  a  rather  heterogeneous  one, 
part  of  the  species  being  saxicoline,  while  others  nest  in  vertical  banks  of 
earth;  and  of  the  former  only  two  species  keep  altogether  among  the  rocks, 
the  others  merely  breeding  there,  the  greater  part  of  their  time  being  spent 
in  obtaining  their  food  in  other  localities. 

They  may  be  grouped  as  follows: — 

a.  Species  strictly  samcoline. 

^  rA  R.  '       >  Modifying  their  habits  in  neighborhood  of  settlements. 

2.  Catherpes  conspersus.     \^        ^^    ^  ^  j 

b.  Species  saxicoline  only  in  nesting  habits. 

3.  Tacliycineta  thalassina. — {In  other  districts  said  to  be  arboreal.) 

4.  Petrochelidon  lunifrona.     ^ 

6.  Hirando  horreorum,  >  Habits  modified  in  settled  districts. 

6.  Sayornis  sayus.  J 

7.  Panyptila  saxatilis. 

c.  Nesting  in  earth-banhs, 

8.  Ootyle  riparia. 

9.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis. 
10.  Ceryle  alcyon. 

To  group  **6"  of  this  list  might  be  added  such  species  as  Aquila  cana- 
densis  and  Falco  polyagrus,  since  these  species  usually  build  their  eyries  on 


LOCAL  AVIFAUNA  OF  THE  GREAT  BASIN. 


327 


the  narrow  ledges  or  in  niches  on  the  face  of  cliffs,  but  their  nesting-habits 
are  too  variable.  The  same  objection  might  be  urged  in  regard  to  Tachy-^ 
cineta  thalassina^  since  in  some  localities  this  species  nests  in  hollow  trees, 
but  along  our  route  we  found  it  to  be  everywhere  strictly  saxicoline. 

12.  Aquatic  birds. — This  group  includes  the  vast  multitude  of  water- 
fowl, both  waders  and  swimmers;  these  inhabit  chiefly  the  valleys,  the 
following  being  the  species  which  breed  in  the  interior: — 


1.  -^Egialitis  vociferus. 

22.  Branta  canadensis. 

2.  JSgialitis  nivosus. 

23.  Anas  boschas. 

3.  Steganopus  wilsoni. 

24.  Ohaulelasmus  streperus. 

4.  Recurvirostra  americana. 

25.  Daflla  acuta. 

5.  Himantopus  mexicanus. 

26.  Spatula  clypeata. 

6.  Numenius  longirostris. 

27.  Querquedula  discors. 

7.  Tringoides  macularius. 

28.  Querquedula  cyanoptera. 

8.  Rhyacophilus  solitarius. 

29.  Nettion  carolinensis. 

9.  Tringa  bairdi. 

30.  Mareca  americana. 

10.  Triaga  minntilia. 

31.  Aix  sponsa. 

11.  Ereunetes  pusillus. 

32.  Erisniatttra  rubida. 

12.  Falcinellus  guarauna. 

33.  Larus  californicus. 

13.  Falcinellus  thalassinus. 

34.  Sterna  regia. 

14.  Ardea  herodias. 

35.  Sterna  fosteri. 

15.  Herodias  egretta. 

36.  Hydrochelidou  lariformls* 

16.  Nyctiardea  nsevia. 

37.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchus 

17.  Botaurus  minor. 

38.  Graculus  floridanus. 

18.  Ardetta  exilis. 

39.  Podiceps  occidentalis. 

19.  Eallus  yirgiuianus. 

40.  Podiceps  cristatus. 

20.-Porzaiia  Carolina. 

41.  Podiceps  califomicas. 

21.  Porzana  jamaicensis.  f 

In  the  preceding  lists  of  the  species  characterizing  special  faunal  sub- 
districts  of  the  Great  Basin,  we  have  included  mainly  those  which  are 
common  to  the  entire  breadth  of  the  Province.  Other  species,  which  might 
properly  be  assigned  to  these  lists  with  respect  to  their  habitats,  are 
excluded,  from  the  fact  that  they  belong  to  only  one  side  or  the  other  of  the 
Basin.  The  western  series  was  lost  almost  immediately  after  our  departure 
from  the  Sierra  Nevada,  very  few  being  found  even  so  far  to  the  eastward  of 
that  range  as  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains.  The  eastern  series,  however, 
presented  itself  much  more  giradually,  additional  species  being  met  with  in 
each  successive  high  range  to  the  eastward,  the  first  of  them  appearing  on 


328  ORNITHOLOGY. 

the  lofty  Toyabe  Mountains,  while  a  more  decided  accession  of  Rocky 
Mountain  and  Eastern  forms  was  noticed  on  the  Ruby  and  East  Humboldt 
ranges,  where,  however,  the  numbe?  was  far  less  than  that  encountered  on 
the  Wahsatch  and  in  the.  Salt  Lake  Valley. 

DESCRIPTION  OP  LOCALITIES  WHERE  COLLECTIONS  OR  OBSERVATIONS  WERE  MADE. 

1.  Vicinity  of  Sacramento  City,  California  (June  6-29,  1867.) — The 
period  of  our  stay  at  Sacramento  being  the  midst  of  the  dry  season,  when 
the  valleys  of  California  are  parched  by  the  excessive  and  protracted 
drought,  the  bird-life  was  found  to  be  comparatively  scant,  and,  as  in  the 
Interior,  though  not  to  so  great  an  extent,  confined  within  the  very  restricted 
limits  where  the  vegetation  was  nourished  by  the  presence  of  water — 
either  that  of  natural  streams  or  that  derived  from  artificial  irrigation.  But 
even  there  the  abundance  of  the  birds  was  due  to  the  number  of  individ- 
uals of  each  kind,  rather  than  of  the  species  themselves.  Away  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  city,  the  country  at  the  time  of  our  sojourn  presented  a 
scorched  appearance,  the  rolling  plains  being  destitute  of  rivulets  or  pools, 
all  the  surface-moisture  having  been  long  since  extracted  by  the  excessive 
and  prolonged  heat;  the  ground  itself  was  baked  to  a  tile-like  hardness 
except  where  ground  to  dust,  and  what  remained  of  the  grass  and  herbage 
was  burnt  to  a  dingy  yellow,  while  the  scant  foliage  of  the  scattered  oaks 
was  desiccated  to  a  russet-brownness.  In  the  moister  locations,  near  the 
river,  the  aspect  of  the  landscape  was  more  inviting,  however,  for  green 
meadow-lands  prevailed,  with  woods  of  good-sized  trees  along  the  river 
bank  (among  which  the  western  plane  tree,  Platanus  racemosa,  was  con- 
spicuous from  its  white  branches),  with  a  pleasing  variety  of  oak,  willow, 
and  cotton-wood  copses,  interspersed  with  cultivated  farms,  with  here  and 
there  isolated  large  cotton-wood  trees  left  in  the  fields  for  shade.  Exten- 
sive marshes,  connected  with  the  river,  were  filled  with  tall  rushes,  or  tule 
(Scirpus  validly) J  Bxid  other  aquatics,  many  of  them  being  hemmed  in  by 
skirting  jungles  of  willows  and  other  shrubs,  having  a  dense,  often  impen- 
etrable, undergi*owth.  Waste  places  were  overspread  by  a  rank  growth 
of  wild  chamomile,  or  dog-fennel  {Maruta  cotula),  and  large  thistles,  the 
latter  standing  chiefly  in  the  fence-comers,  where  they  presented  to  the 


DESCRIPTION  OP  OAMPS.  329 

intruder  a  repellent  front  of  frightful  thorny  spines.  Upon  the  whole,  but 
for  the  blue  mass  of  Monte  Diablo  looming  in  the  south,  the  long  dim  range 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada  bounding  the  eastern  horizon,  its  crown  of  snow- 
fields  glittering  in  the  sunlight,  and  the  brown  Coast  Range  visible  to  the 
westward,  one  might  readily  imagine  a  familiar  scene  in  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  so  similar  is  the  general  aspect  of  the  vegetation,  in  all  its  charac- 
teristic features,  to  that  of  a  semi-prairie  district,  during  the  corresponding 
season.  Not  less  striking  was  the  likeness  between  the  bird-fauna  of  the 
vicinity  of  Sacramento  and  that  of  a  locality  in  the  same  latitude  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  although,  as  regards  the  number  of  species,  the  latter 
is  by  far  the  richer,  since  in  Illinois,  Missouri,  or  Iowa,  an  area  having 
a  relative  proportion  of  prairie  and  woodland  corresponding  to  the  locality 
under  consideration,  will  be  found  to  possess  at  least  one  hundred  species 
of  birds  during  the  breeding-season,  many  more  having  been  found  in 
certain  districts.^ 

Our  camp  was  estabhshed  in  a  very  favorable  locality,  the  outskirts  of 
the  city,  where  the  surroundings  were  a  pleasing  variety  of  meadow  and 
thicket,  with  the  best  collecting  spots  at  convenient  distance.  The  charac- 
teristic birds  were  the  Red-head  Linnet  {Carpodacus  frontalis),  Gold-Finch 
(Chrysomitris  tristis),  Yellow  Warbler  (Dendrceca  (estiva),  Chipping  Sparrow 
(Spizella ari^once), £inA  Wood  Pe wee  [Contopus  richardsoni),  among  the  oaks; 
the  Black-headed  Grosbeak  (Hedymeles  melanocephalus),  Traill's  Flycatcher 
{Empidonax  pusillm ,  and  Least  Vireo  {Vireo  pmillm),  in  the  willow  and 
cotton-wood  copses;  the  Blue  Grosbeak  (Guiraca  coerulea),  Lazuli  Bunting 
{Cyanospiza  amcena).  Brewer's  Sparrow  {Spizella  breweri),  and  Lark  Bunting 
{Chondestes  grammaca)j  in  the  fields;  Western  King  Bird  (Tyrannus  verticalis) 
and  Bullock's  Oriole  {Icterus  buUocki),  in  the  large  isolated  cotton-wood 
trees;  the  Long-tailed  House  Wren  {Thryomanes  spilurm),  and,  if  near 
water,  the  Black  Pewee  {Sayornis  nigricans),  about  dwellings,  with  a  great 
variety  of  water-fowl,  identical  in  species  with  those  inhabiting  similar 
places  in  the  Eastern  States,  found  in  the  tule  sloughs. 

^  In  the  lower  Wabash  VaUey,  of  Indiana  or  Illinois,  more  than  one  huudred  and 
fifty  species  are  known  to  breed.    [See  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  XVI,  1874.] 


330  ORNITHOLOGY. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  birds  found  breeding  at  Sacra- 
mento between  June  6th  and  July  4th : — 

1.  Thryomanes  spilurus Common,  f 

2.  DendroBca  sestiva Abundant 

3.  Geothlypis  trichas * Abundant 

4.  Icteria  lobgicauda Abundant 

5.  Hirutido  horreorum Abundant 

6.  Progue  subis Abundant 

7.  Petrochelidon  luuifrons Abundant 

8.  Cotyle  riparia Common* 

9.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis Common. 

10.  Vireosylvia  swaiosoai Common. 

11.  Vireo  pusillus Common. 

12.  CoUurio  excubitoroides Comm^tn. 

13.  Carpodacus frontalis .Abundant 

14.  Chrysomitris  tristis Abundant 

15.  Coturniculus  perpallidus Common. 

16.  Chondestes  grammaca Abundant 

17.  Melospiza  Heermanni * Common. 

18.  Spizella  breweri Common. 

19.  Spizella  arizonsB Common. 

20.  Hedymeles  melanocephalus Common. 

21.  Guiraca  cserulea Common. 

22.  Cyanospiza  amoBna Common. 

23.  Pipilo  oregonus - Common. 

24.  Agelaeus  gabernator Abundant 

25.  AgelaBus  tricolor Abundant 

26.  Xanthocephalus  icterocephalus Abundant 

27.  Bturnella  ueglecta Common. 

28.  Icterus  buUocki Abundant 

29.  Tyrannus  verticalis .Abundant 

IW«  Sayornis  nigricans Rare. 

31.  Oontopus  richardsoni Abundant 

32.  Empidonax  pusillos Abundant 

33.  Coccyzus  americanus Bare. 

34.  Oalypte  annaa ^ Common. 

35.  Trocbilus  alexandri Common, 

36.  Golaptes  mexicanus Bare. 

37.  Otus  wilsonianas Common. 

38.  Speotyto  hypogsea  .; ....Abundant 

39.  Falco  sparverius Abundant 

40.  Zensedara  carolinensis # Abundant 

41.  -ZEgialitis  vociferus Abundant 

42.  Ardea  berodias Common. 

43.  Herodias  egretta Bare. 


DESCRIPTION  OP  CAMPS.  331 

44.  Batorides  virescens Abundant 

45.  Nyctiardea  nsevia Canmm* 

46.  Gallinula  galeata Abundant 

47.  Fulica  americana Abundant 

48.  Anas  boschas   Abundant 

49.  Chaulelasmus  streperus Abundant 

50.  Querquedula  cyanoptera Abundant 

6L  Aythya sp.? Abundant 

52.  Larus sp.f Abundant 

53.  Sterna  forsteri  ? Abundant 

54.  Hydrochelidon  lariformis .Abundant 

Having  alluded  to  the  close  similarity  between  the  bird-fauna  of  tne 
vicinity  of  Sacramento  City  and  that  of  a  locality  of  corresponding  latitude 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  we  select  from  the  above  list  the  species  not 
belonging  to  the  latter  locality,  they  being  as  follows : — 


1.  Vireo  pusillus. 

2.  CarpodacQS  frontalis. 

3.  Spizella  brewed. 

4.  Cyanospiza  amoena. 

5.  Hedymeles  melanocephalus. 

6.  Pipilo  oregonas. 

7.  AgelsBUS  tricolor. 

8.  Icterus  buUocki. 


9.  Tyrannus  verticalis. 

10.  Sayornis  nigricans. 

11.  Contopus  richardsoni. 

12.  Calypte  annsB. 

13.  Trocbilas  alexandri. 

14.  Colaptes  mexicanus. 

15.  Speotyto  hypogSBa. 

16.  Qaergnedala  cyanoptera. 


Twelve  of  the  above  species  are  repesented  east  of  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains by  species  so  similar  in  appearance  or  habits  that,  to  the  common 
observer,  they  might  readily  pass  for  the  same  birds.  These  represent- 
ative species  are  the  following:  — 

Western  representatives.  Eastern  represenUUwet, 

Vireo  pusillus,  representing Vireo  belli. 

Spizella  bre  weri,  representing Spizella  pallida. 

Hedymeles  melanocephalus,  representing .Hedymeles  ludovicianus. 

Cyanospiza  amcena,  representing Cyanospiza  cyanea. 

Pipilo  oregonus,  representing Pipilo  erythrophthalmus. 

Icterus  bullocki,  representing Icterus  baltimore. 

Tyrannus  verticalis,  representing  ...   Tyrannus  carolinensis. 

Sayornis  nigricans,  representing Sayornis  fuscus. 

Contopus  richardsoni,  representing.. Contopus  virens. 

Trochilus  alexandri,  representing Trochilus  colubris. 

Colaptes  mexicanus,  representing Colaptes  auratus. 

Querquedula  cyanoptera,  representing Querquedula  discors. 


332  ORNITHOLOGY. 

It  will  thus  be  observed  that  the  general  fades  of  the  avian-fauna  of 
the  two  remote  regions  is  so  similar  that  out  of  a  total  of  54  species  noted 
at  Sacramento,  only  4  are  unrepresented  in  the  eastern  locality  !^ 

2.  From  the  Sacramento  River  to  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  (July 
4-5). — This  route  lay  across  a  rolling  plain,  of  a  character  similar  to 
that  described  before,  except  that  the  monotony  of  the  dusty  landscape 
was  more  frequently  relieved  by  groves  of  low,  spreading  oaks,  while  occa- 
sional spots  near  springs  or  along  running  streams  were  quite  refreshing 
from  the  cool  shade  they  afforded.  Such  places  were  usually  the  site  of  a 
ranche,  and  called  to  mind  a  country-place  in  one  of  the  iess-thickly  wooded 
portions  of  the  Eastern  States,  the  oak  trees  which,  almost  exclusively, 
composed  the  groves  being  exceedingly  similar  in  size  and  general  appear- 
ance to  the  white  oak  (Quercus  alba).  Among  these  trees  sported  the 
California  and  Nuttall's  Woodpeckers  (Melanerpes  formicivorus  and  Pious 
nuttalU)j  whole  troops  of  chattering  Yellow-billed  Magpies  (Pica  nuttalli), 
and  an  occasional  screeching  Valley  Jay  {Gyanocitta  calif ornica).  The  other 
species  seen  in  these  groves  were  the  Ash-throated  Flycatcher  (Myiarchus 
cinerascens)^  Lewis's  Woodpecker  {Melanerpes  torquatus\  Black-capped 
Chickadee  {Parus  occidentalis),  House  Wren  (Troglodytes  parkmanni),  Com- 
mon Crow  (Corvus  americamts).  Bam  Owl  (Strix  pratincola),  Mottled  Owl  - 
(Scops  asio),  and  Red-breasted  Hawk  (Buteo  elegans)\  while  on  the  plains,  the 
Homed  Lark  (Eremophila  chrysolcet^ia)^  Burrowing  Owl  (Speotyto  hypogcea), 
and  Turkey  Buzzard  (Bhinogryphus  aura)  were  observed.     Nearly  all  these 

^  The  jvinter  fauna  would,  of  course,  be  considerably  diflPerent  from  that  observed 
by  us,  on  account  of  accessions  from  the  ranks  of  species  which  spend  the  snminer  in 
the  mountains  or  farther  northward,  as  well  as  by  the  absence  of  some  of  the  summer 
visitors.  An  esteemed  correspondent,  Mr.  Gilbert  R.  Lansing,  of  San  Francisco,  has 
furnished  a  list  of  birds  collected  by  him  at  Sacramento  in  March,  1873,  which  includes 
the  following  species  not  in  our  enumeration  of  summer  birds: — 

1.  Chamsea  fasciata.    March  23.  5.  Cyanocitta  californica. 

2.  Hesperiphona  vespertina.   March  16.  6.  Zonotrichia  intermedia. 

3.  Junco  oregonus.  ?•  Zonotrichia  coronata.    March  23. 

4.  Corvus  carnivorus.  8.  Melospiza  guttata.    March  16. 

Of  the  above,  specimens  were  ^nt  of  Nos.  1,  2, 6,  7,  and  8. 


DESOEIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  333 

species  were  noticed  from  the  very  beginning'  of  the  open  country,  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  to  the  first  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 

3.  The  Sierra  Nevada  (July  6-12). — The  rolling  plains  became  so 
gradually  modified  into  more  pronounced  undulations,  and  these  so  imper- 
ceptibly into  decided  hills,  that  there  was  no  abrupt  change  noticeable  in 
either  the  fauna  or  the  flora.  With  the  first  pine  trees,  however,  were 
observed  the  Robin  {Turdus  migratorius),  the  California  Bluebird  (Sialia 
mexicana)j  and  Brown  Creeper  (Certhia  americana);  while  among  the  thick 
chaparral  of  the  ravines  and  hill-sides  the  following  species  were  seen  for 
the  first  time: — 


a.  Western  foot-hills  (July  6-7). 


1.  Psaltriparus  minimus. 

2.  Polioptila  (cserulea?) 

3.  Chrysomitris  lawrencii. 


4.  Pipilo  crissalis. 

6.  Lophortyx  califomicus. 


These  species  were  not  seen  near  the  summit,  but  were  gradually  left 
behind  as  we  ascended  the  now  steeper  slopes  and  entered  a  denser  forest, 
where  large  and  lofty  cgniferse  became  exclusive.  The  three  species  pre- 
viously mentioned,  however,  continued  with  us  during  the  journey.  As  was 
the  change  from  the  plains  to  the  foot-hills  a  very  gradual  one,  so  did  the 
mixed  woods  and  chaparral  of  the  latter,  in  which  deciduous  trees  and 
shrubs  abounded,  become  as  imperceptibly  transformed  into  denser  and 
loftier  forests,  where  coniferse  first  greatly  prevailed  and  then  constituted 
the  entire  sylva.  The  change  was  indeed  so  gradual  that  we  could  detect 
no  well-defined  point  where  there  was  a  marked  difiference  in  the  birds 
observed;  one  species  after  another  being  left  behind,  while  one  hj  one  new 
ones  made  their  appearance,  so  that  it  was  found  impossible  to  fix  a  bound- 
ary-line between  two  regions.  The  ^^  Mountain  Jay"  {Cyanura  frontalis) 
was  met  with  long  before  we  lost  sight  of  the  ^* Valley  Jay"  {Gyanocitta 
californica),  and  the  *' Valley  Quail"  (Lophortyx  californicus)  was  common, 
and  leading  its  young,  in  ravines,  beside  which  the  pines  resounded  with 
the  screams  of  the  Mountain  Jay  and  Nutcracker  (Picicorvus  columUanus) 
and  the  tapping  of  pinicoline  Woodpeckers  (Sphyrapicus  ruber  and  Picus 
albolarvatus). 


334  ORNITHOLOGY. 

6.  Tlw  western  slope. 
At  an  altitude  of  about  5,000  feet,  all  the  species  characteristic  of  the 
foot-hills  were  lost  sight  of,  the  Louisiana  Tanager  (Pyranga  ludoviciana) 
and  Audubon's  Warbler  {Dendrxca  auduboni)  made  their  first  appearance, 
the  Mountain  Jay  and  Nutcracker  and  the  Woodpeckers  above  mentioned 
became  more  numerous,  while  the  dark  ravines  below  the  road  echoed  with 
the  carols  of  Townsend's  Solitaire  {Myiadestes  townsendi)  and  the  Oregon 
Thrush  fTurdus  ustidatus\  and  the  chattering  of  the  Dippers  {Cinclus  mex- 
icanus), 

c.   The  summit  (July  9). 

At  an  altitude  of  about  7,000  feet  snow  lay,  even  at  this  season  of  the 
year,  in  situations  protected  from  the  sun.  The  pine  forests  continued,  but 
were  more  interrupted,  with  occasional  park-like  openings,  in  one  of  which, 
known  as  the  ^*  Summit  Meadows,"  we  established  our  camp.  Snow-capped 
peaks  were  in  sight  on  every  hand,  while  around  the  borders  of  the  broad 
meadow  snow-banks  lay,  protected  by  the  shade  of  the  majestic  pines;  and 
a  strange  sight  it  was  tO  see,  almost  touching  the  snow,  beds  of  flowers 
which,  in  variety  of  form  and  splendor  of  coloring,  might  vie  with  the 
choicest  to  be  seen  in  our  gardens  or  conservatories;  while  the  park  itself 
was  so  overspread  by  a  plant  bearing  bright-yellow  blossoms,  that  this  was 
the  prevailing  color  of  the  surface.  Scattered  over  this  meadow  were  clumps 
of  low  spreading  dwarf- willow  bushes,  from  the  tops  of  which  numerous 
White-crowned  Sparrows  (Zonotrichia  intermedia)  were  singing  beau- 
tifully during  the  evening,  and  now  and  then  throughout  the  night.  The 
other  more  conspicuous  birds  of  this  charming  spot  were  the  Common 
Robin  {Turdus  migratorius),  the  California  Bluebird  {Sialia  mexicana),  and 
the  Oregon  Snow-bird  (Junco  oregonus)} 

^Owiug  to  the  UDsatisfactory  nature  of  oar  opportunities  for  studying  the 
avifauna  of  this  interesting  and  exceedingly  rich  district,  our  notes  are  necessarily 
meager.  It  is  therefore  with  great  pleasure  that  we  avail  ourself  of  the  experience  of 
Mr.  B.  W.  Nelson,  of  Ghieago,  who  made  collections  on  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  chiefly  in  the  vicinity  of  Nevada  City,  We  quote  from  Mr.  Nelson  what  is  of 
direct  interest  in  this  connection :  [See  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  Vol.  XVII,  Jan.  20, 
1875,  pp.  365-365.  *^ Notes  on  Birds  observed  in  portions  of  Utah,  Nevada,  and  Cali- 
fornia.'^   "  IV.  Notes  on  Birds  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  Nevada  City,  Cal.,  between 


DESCRIPTION  OP  CAMPS  835 

d.   The  eastern  slope  (July  10-12). 

The  descent  from  the  summit  down  the  eastern  slope  was  much  more 
rapid  than  had  been  our  ascent  of  the  other  side.  The  forest,  however, 
continued  much  the  same,  but  the  trees  were  appreciably  smaller,  becoming 
more  so  as  we  descended.     The  only  new  bird  detected  during  our  hurried 

August  15  and  December  15,  1872."J  "This  locality  Las  an  intermediate  situation 
Ijetween  the  lofty  peaks  and  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas,  and  is  in  the  midst  of 
the  gold-mining  region.  My  visit  being  in  the  last  of  the  dry  season,  when  the  vegeta- 
tion is  dried  up  by  the  hot  sun,  probably  many  of  the  spring  and  early  summer  residents 
had  gone  farther  down,  where  the  farms  are  more  numerous  and  less  parched  than 
the  uncultivated  hills  surrounding  Nevada. 

In  !N"ovember,  while  collecting  twenty  miles  farther  down,  we  found  many  species 
abundant  which  were  rare  at  Nevada;  among  which  may  be  mentioned,  Sturnella  ne- 
glectaj  Zonotrichia  coronata^  and  Glaucidium  californicum^  which  assembled  in  numbers 
around  our  camp-fires  every  night  and  serenaded  us  with  their  curious  notes;  [iVbte.— 
Mr.  Henshaw  suggests  that  this  owl  may  have  been  Scops  flammeolaj  which  has  this 
habit,  while  the  Glaucidium  is  diurnal  and  crepuscular.]  also,  Lophortyx  californicuSy 
Oreortyx  pictus^  and  many  others,  were  observed  on  the  cultivated  flats,  which  were 
rare  at  Nevada."  We  give  below  a  full  list  of  the  species  found  by  Mr.  Nelson  at 
Nevada  City,  those  which  we  did  not  see  in  ascending  the  western  slope  in  July  being 
distinguished  by  an  asterisk : — 

1.  Turdus  migratorius.    Aug.-Oet 

2.  Turdus  ustulatus.     Common;  Aug.-Kov. 
♦3-  Oreoscoptes  montanus.    Oct;  two  pairs,  , 

4.  Sialia  mexicana. .  Last  of  8ept,-la^t  of  Nov, 

5.  Eegulus  calendula.    Last  Sept-first  Dec, 
*6.  Chamsea  fasciata.    Nov.;  one  pair. 

•7.  Lophophanes  inornatus.    First  Oet-Nov. 

*8.  Parus  occidentalis.    Nov.;  high  mountains. 

♦9.  Psaltriparus  minimus.    Oct-Bee.;  very  abundant 

10.  Certhia  americana.    Aug.-Dec. 
♦li.  Thryomanes  spilurus.    Aug.-Nov, 
*12.  Troglodytes  parkmanni.    Oct;  one  spec, 
*13.  Helminthophaga  ruflcapilla.    Last  Sept;  one  spec. 

14.  Dendroeca  aestiva. 
♦15.  Dendro&ca  nigrescens.    Sept-lst  Nov.;  common. 

16.  Dendroeca  auduboni.    Abundant  after  Oct  1st 
•17.  Geothlypis  macgillivrayi.    Sept;  two  specs. 
♦18.  Myiodioctes  pusillus.    Last  Sept;  one  spec. 

19.  Pyranga  ludoviciana.     Oct;  rare. 

20.  Hirundo  horreorum.    Aug,-8ept 

♦21.  Oarpodacus  californicus.    First  two  weeks  in  October;  common. 
22.  Ohrysomitris  pinus.    La^st  Sept-first  Nov. 
•23.  Ohrysomitris  psaltria.    Aug,-Sept;  very  abundant. 


336  ORNITHOLOGY. 

trip  was  a  solitary  Rock  Wren{Salpinetes  obsoletus)  perched  upon  a  boulder, 
in  a  rather  open  region,  soon  after  passing  the  summit  of  the  Pass. 

4.  Glendakj  or  Truckee  Meadows  (July  16-20;  November  7-21.     Alti- 
tude 4,372  feet]. — The  Truckee  Meadows,  so  called  from  the  fact  that  hay 

24.  Passerculus  alaudinus.     Oet  Ut 
^25.  Melospiza  heermauni.    N^ot  common. 

26,  Junco  oregonus.    Aug.-last  Nov, 

27.  Spizella  arizondB.    Abundant 

♦28.  Spizella  breweri.    SepL-Oct;  abundant^ 
*29.  Zoootrichia  coronata.    Last  of  October;  common. 
♦30.  Chondestes  graminaca.    Aug^-Oct;  very  abundant. 
*31.  Passerella  townsendi.   Aug.-last  Oct;  abundant. 

32.  Hedymeles  inelaoocephalus.    Aug.-laat  Sept 

33.  Pipilo  oregonus.    Aug,-middle  Nov. 

34.  Pipilo  crissalis.     Oct  1st;  one  spec. 
•35.  Pipilo  chlorurus.   Common. 

36.  Sturnella  neglecta.    Common. 

37.  Icterus  bullocki.     Oct;  one  spec.  (  9  ). 

38.  Scolecophagus  cyanocephalus.    First  November. 

39.  Corvus  ameiicanus  [given  om  C.  caurinuSj  but  probably  not).  Last  Nov.;  IJlocJc. 

40.  Cyanura  frontalis.     Very  abundant. 

41.  Cyanocitta  californica.    Very  abundant 

♦42.  Sayornis  nigricans.    Aug.-last  Nov.;  common  in  Sept 

43.  Contopus  richardsoni.    Sept;  rare. 

44.  Empidonax  pusilhis.    Last  Sept;  one  spec. 

45.  Antrostomus  nuttalli.    Last  Oct;  one  spec. 
♦46.  Calypte  annsB.    Aug,-middle  Oct;  common. 
♦47.  Geococcyx  californianus.    Rare;  not  seen. 
♦48.  Hylatomus  pileatus.    Not  common. 

49.  Picas  albolarvatus.    Common  until  last  Nov. 
♦50.  Picus  nuttalli.    Common. 

51.  Pious  harrisi.    Rare. 
♦52.  Picus  gairdneri.     Common  until  last  Nov. 

53.  Sphyrapicus  ruber.  Oot-Dec;  common. 
♦54.  Melanerpes  formicivorus.  Very  common. 
♦55.  Melanerpes  torquatus.    Middle  Oct.-Dec. 

56.  Colaptes  mexicauus.    Abundant. 
♦57.  1  Scops  asio.    Not  seen. 
.  ♦SB.  Glaucidium  gnonaa.    Rare. 
♦59.  Nisus  fuscus.    Common  from  Aug.-Dec.  Ut 

GO.  "Buteo,  sp.''    [Probably  B.  borealis  calurus  or  B.  swainsoni]. 
♦61.  Haliaetus  leucocephalus.    Nov.;  one  spec. 

62.  "  Oatbartes,  sp.''    [Probably  Rhinogryphus  aura  Oct]. 
♦63.  Columba  fasciata.    Oct;  one  flock. 

64.  Zenasdura  carolinensis.    Common  until  middle  Nov. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CxVMPS. 


337 


for  the  Virginia  City  market  is  the  chief  production  of  the  settlement,  lie 
on  the  eastern  side  of  the  valley,  between  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the 
Comstock,  or  Virginia  Mountains,  the  first  of  the  desert  ranges.  Through 
the  middle  portion  of  these  extensive  meadows  the  Truckee  River  courses, 
its  banks  being  fringed  with  dense  thickets  of  rather  tall  Avillows,  growing 
about  fifteen  feet  high.  During  the  summer  these  luxuriant  meadows  were 
the  abode  of  numerous  water-fowl,  while  in  the  thickets  Magpies  (Pica 
hudsonica)  and  smaller  birds  were  abundant  The  species  found  in  this 
locality  were  the  following: — 


1.  Telinatodytes  paludicola. 

2.  Dendrceca  aestiva. 

3.  Geothlypis  tricbas. 

4.  Icteria  lougicauda. 

5.  Pyranga  ludoviciaua. 
6*  Hirundo  horreormn. 

7.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons. 

8.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis. 

9.  Cotyle  riparia. 

10.  Yireosylvia  swainsoni. 

11.  Collurio  excubitoroides. 

12.  Passerculus  alaudinus. 

13.  Pooecetes  confinis. 

14.  Melospiza  lieermanni. 

15.  Ghondestes  grammaca. 

16.  Hedymeles  melanocephalus. 

17.  Cyanospiza  amcena. 

18.  Pipilo  oregonus. 

19.  Xanthocepbalus  icterocepbalus. 

20.  Agelaeus  pbceniceus. 

21.  Sturnella  neglecta. 

22.  Icterus  bullocki. 


23.  Pica  budsonica. 

24.  Empidonax  pasillus.   . 

25.  Gbordeiles  benryi. 

26.  Geryle  alcyon. 

27.  Colaptes  mexicanus. 

28.  Circus  budsonius. 

29.  Zenaedura  caroliaensis, 

30.  ^gialitis  vociferus. 

31.  Recurvirostra  americatia. 

32.  Himantopus  mexicanus. 

33.  Rbyacopbilus  solitarius. 

34.  Tringoides  macularius. 

35.  Botaurus  mioor. 

36.  Porzana  Carolina. 

37.  Auas  boscbas. 

38.  Cbaulelasmus  streperus. 

39.  Mareca  americana. 

40.  Dafila  acuta, 

41.  Spatula  clypeata. 

42.  Querquedula  cyanoptera. 

43.  Nettion  carolinenais. 


*65.  ?  Canace  obscura.     ["  Canaee  canadensis^  var.  franklinV    Probably  C. 
obscuraj  whicb  is  abundant  on  the  Sierra  Nevada.] 
Oreortyx  j^ictus.     Abundant  after  Oct.  1st 
Lopbortyx  californicus.    Abundant 
^gialitis  vociferus.     Oct. 
Gallinago  wilsoni.    Nov,;  two  specs. 
Branta  canadensis.    Nov. 
•71.  Anas  boscbas.    Not  seen. 

♦72.  Pelecanus  erythrorbyncbus.    Oct;  one  flock  passing  over. 
Tbe  more  notewortby  of  tbe  above  species  are  Cltamceafasciata^  Sayornis  nigricans^ 
and  Galypte  annce^  wbicb  would  hardly  bave  been  supposed  to  occur  so  high  up  among 
these  mountains. 
22  PR. 


*Q6. 

67. 

68. 
•69. 
•70. 


338  ORMTHOLOGY. 

In  November,  the  following  additional  species  were  found,  while  many 
of  the  above  were   wanting: — 


Anthus  ludovicianus. 
Turd  as  migratorius. 
Oiuclus  mexicanus. 
Spizella  monticola. 
Eremophila  alpestris. 
Agelseus  gubernator. 
Corvus  caruivorus. 
Oorvus  americanus. 


Colaptes  (!)  [a  yellow-shafted  species, 

probably  0.  auratus.] 
Falco  columbarius. 
Arcbibuteo  sancti-johannis. 
Gallinago  wilsoni. 
Oolumba  fasciata.!  ^ 
Branta  hutchiusi. 
Podilymbus  podiceps. 


The  most  abundant  of  these  were  Anthus  ludovicianicSj  Agelceus  plice- 
niceus,  A.  gubernator,  Archibuteo  sancti-johannis ^  and  Branta  htdchinsi 

5.  Big-Bend  of  the  TnicJcee  (altitude,  3,^95  feet;  July  24- August  18,) — 
After  emerging  from  its  deep,narrow  gorge  through  the  Virginia  Mountains, 
the  Truckee  River  bends  abruptly  to  the  left,  and  flows  toward  the  north- 
west into  Pyramid  Lake,  about  thirty  miles  distant.  The  vicinity  of  our 
camp  at  this  place  proved  a  rich  locality  for  birds,  for  the  nan'ow  valley 
of  the  river  was  very  fertile,  supporting  a  rich  and  varied  vegetation,  while 
the  arid  sage-brush  plain  stretched  oflf  on  one  side  to  the  Humboldt  Desert, 
and  in  the  opposite  direction  to  the  Virginia  Mountains.  Only  the  very 
few  birds  characteristic  of  the  desert  could  exist  upon  the  surrounding 
sandy  wastes,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  fertile  valley  was  rich  in  the 
number  of  species  and  individuals  crowded  within  the  narrow  limits 
embraced  between  the  steep  earth-walls.  Along  the  bank  of  the  river,  and 
surrounding  the  sloughs  connected  with  the  stream,  were  exceedingly 
dense  willow -jungles,  the  sloughs  themselves  being  filled  with  rushes, 
flags,  and  other  aquatic  plants;  but  most  of  the  valley  consisted  of 
meadow-land,  interspersed  with  velvety  swards  of  *' salt-grass"  and  acres 
of  beautiful  sun-flowers  {Helianthm  giganteus),  studded  with  tine  large 
cotton- wood  trees  [Populus  monUifera  and  P.  trichocarpa),  which  were  here 
and  there  grouped  into  delightful  groves,  sometimes  unincumbered,  but 
generally  with  a  shrubby  undergrowth,  amongst  which  the  '^buffalo-berry" 
{Shepherdia  argentea)  was  conspicuous.     No  birds,  excepting  Mourning  Doves 

^  A  single  specimen  of  what  was  probably  this  species  was  observed,  flying  over, 
on  the  19th  of  November.  ' 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  339 

(Zencedura  carolinensis)^  were  breeding  at  the  time  of  our  sojourn;  nor  was 
the  fauna  particularly  interesting,  except  from  the  occurrence  of  swarms 
of  the  Rufous  Hummer  (SelaspJiorus  rtifus)  among  the  sun-flowers,  and  of 
several  pairs  of  the  Eastern  Kingbird  {Tyr annus  caroUnensis)^  which  appeared 
to  have  bred  in  the  cotton-wood  trees,  a  few  individuals  of  Coccyzus  ameri- 
canus  and  Myiodiodes  pusiUus,  and  several  families  of  Sialia  mexicana^  being 
the  only  other  birds  of  note  which  came  under  our  observation, 

6.  Truckee  Reservationy  near  Pyramid  Lake  (August  10-16, 1867 ;  Decem- 
ber 9-19,  1867;  May  15-June  6,  1868). — Investigations  along  the  lower 
portion  of  the  Truckee  Valley  extended  from  the  shore  of  Pyramid 
Lake  several  miles  up  the  river,  and  embraced  several  trips  across  the 
desert  mesa  to  the  northern  end  of  the  Virginia  range,  fronting  on  the 
southern  shore  of  the  lake,  besides  occasional  visits  to  the  islands  within 
the  lake.  The  fertile  valley  of  the  river  received  the  principal  attention, 
however,  on  account  of  the  abundance  of  its  birds;  and,  as  respects  the 
character  of  the  locality  where  our  observations  were  mostly  made,  there 
was  no  material  difference  from  the  surroundings  of  our  former  camp  at 
the  Big-Bend,  twenty-five  miles  above,  except  that  the  valley  was  consider- 
ably broader  and  the  cotton-wood  groves  proportionately  more  extensive. 
During  our  sojourn  here,  from  May  15th  to  June  6th,  one  hundred  and 
two  species  were  observed  in  the  valley  of  the  river,  most,  if  not  all,  of 
them  breeding  in  the  locality.     The  following  are  the  species  observed: — 

1.  Tardus  ustiilatus One  specimen. 

2.  Oreoscoptes  montauus Common, 

3.  Troglodytes  parkmauni Abundant 

4.  Telmatody tes  paludicola Abundant 

5.  DendrcBca  SBStiva Abundant, 

6.  Geothlypis  trichas Common. 

7.  Icteria  longicauda Common. 

8.  Pyraoga  ludoviciana Common. 

9.  Hirundo  horreorum Common. 

10.  Tacbycineta  bicolor .Abundant 

11.  Tacbycineta  thalassina Common. 

12.  Progne  subis Rare. 

13.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis Abundant 

14.  Cotyle  riparia Abundant 

15.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons Abundant 

16.  Vireoayl via  swainsoni Abundant 


340  ORNITHOLOGY. 

17.  Collorio  excubitoroidea Common. 

18.  Oarpodacus  frontalis Common. 

19.  Chrj'somitris  tristis. Bare. 

20.  Passerculus  alandinus Common. 

21.  Pooecetes  gramioeus Bare. 

22.  Melospiza  heermaani Abundant. 

23.  Amphispiza  bilineata Common. 

24.  Amphispiza  revadensis Abundant. 

25.  Spizella  arizonge Abundant 

26.  Spizella  breweri Abundant. 

27.  Chondestes  grammaca Abundant. 

28.  Hedymeles  melanocephalus Common. 

29.  Cyanospiza  amoena  . , .  Rare. 

30.  Pipilo  oregonus Common. 

31.  Pipilo  cblorurus Rare. 

32.  Molotbrus  ater Rare, 

33.  Agelseus  phoeniceus 1 Abundant. 

34.  Xanthocephalus  icterocephalas ......   Abundant. 

35.  Sturuella*  neglecta Abundant 

36.  Icterus  bullocki Abundant 

37.  Pica  budsonica Abundant 

38.  Tyrannus  verticalis Abundant 

39.  Myiarchus  cinerascens Rare. 

40.  Sayornis  sayus - Rare. 

41.  Oontopas  richardsoni Abundant 

42.  Empidonax  pusillus Abundant. 

43.  Chordeiles  henryi • Common. 

44.  NephcBcetes  borealis Rare. 

45.  Chsetura  vauxi  Common. 

46.  Trochilus  alexandri Abundant 

47.  Oeryle  alcyon Common. 

48.  Picas  barrisi Common. 

49.  Colaptes  mexicanus Abundant 

60.  Bubo  subarcticus. , Common. 

51.  Otus  wilsonianus Common. 

52.  Circus  hudsouius Abundant. 

53.  Falco  sparverius .  Abundant. 

54.  Falco  nsBvius One  pair. 

56.  Buteo  calurus Common. 

66.  Buteo  swainsonl Common. 

67.  Haliaetus  lencocephalus Rare. 

58.  Pandion  carolinensis Rare. 

59.  Ehinogryphus  aura Abundant 

60.  Zenaedura  carolinensis Extremely  abundant 

61.  -^gialitis  vociferus Common. 

62.  Recurvirostra  americana Common. 

63.  Himantopus  mexicanus Common. 


DESCRIPTION  OP  CAMPS,  341 

64.  Steganopus  wilsoni , , Rare. 

65.  Trioga  americana Rare. 

66.  Tringa  bairdi Bare. 

67.  Tringa  miuutilla Abundant 

68.  Ereuoetes  pusillus Abuvdant. 

69.  Rhjacophilus  solitarius Rare. 

70.  Tringoides  macularias Common. 

71.  Numeniua  longirostris Common. 

72.  Symphetnia  semipalmata .Bare. 

^  73.  Ardea  herodias Abundant. 

74.  Herodias  egretta Bare. 

75.  Nyctiardea  naevia  - Bare. 

76.  Botaurus  minor Common. 

77.  Ardetta  exilis Bare. 

78.  Falciuellus  thalassinus Bare. 

79.  Grus  canadensis Bare. 

80.  Rallus  Virginian  us Bare. 

81.  Porzana  Carolina Common. 

82.  Fulica  americana Very  abundant 

83.  Branta  canadensis Common. 

84.  Anas  boschas Abundant. 

85.  Chaalelasmus  streperus Abundant. 

^Q.  Mareca  americana Abundant. 

87.  Querquedula  discors Bare. ! 

88.  Querquedula  cyanoptera Common. 

89.  Dafila  acuta Bare. 

90.  Spatula  clypeata  .   Common. 

91.  Aythya  vallisneria Bare. 

92.  Aix  sponsa Bare. 

93.  Lopbodytes  cucuUatus Bare, 

94.  Erismatura  rubida Bare. 

95.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchus Yery  abundant. 

^Q.  Graculus  floridanus Abundant. 

97.  Larus  californicus Very  abundant. 

98.  Sterna  regia Bare. 

99.  Sterna  forsteri Bare. 

100.  Podiceps  occidentalis Abundant. 

101.  Podiceps  californicus Common. 

102.  Podilymbus  podiceps Common. 

In  the  above  list  are  the  following  species  which  were  not  observed 
during  the  preceding  July  and  August  at  the  Big  Bend: — 


1.  Turdus  ustulatus. 

2.  Carpodacus  frontalis. 

3.  Molotbrus  pecoris. 


4.  Nepboecetes  borealis. 

5.  Cbsetura  vauxi. 

6.  Trocbilus  alexandri. 


342  ORNITHOLOGY. 

All  of  these  were  undoubtedly  breeding,  except  the  first,  a  mountain 
bird,  of  which  only  a  single  individual  was  seen,  probably  the  last  lingering 
one  from  the  spring  migration.  It  is  also  a  noteworthy  fact  that  Tyrannus 
carolinensiSy  Myiodiodes  pusillus,  and  Selasphorus  rufas,  found  at  the  Big 
Bend  in  July  and  August,  were  not  observed  in  the  lower  portion  of  the 
valley  in  May  and  the  early  part  of  June. 

As  the  above  list  embraces  only  those  species  found  within  the  valley 
proper  of  the  river,  including  the  marshes  at  its  mouth,  other  localities 
produced  additional  species;  thus,  on  the  mesa  stretching  from  the  valley  to 
the  Virginia  Mountains,  Eremophila  alpestris,  Antrostomus  nuttalli,  Speotyto 
hypogcea,  and  Centrocerctts  urophasianus  were  found. 

This  locality  was  visited  the  previous  winter,  when  the  fauna  was 
quite  different,  the  following  species,  not  in  the  summer-list,  having  been 
observed: — 

1.  Regulus  calendula Abundant 

2.  Anthus  ludovicianus Very  abundant. 

3.  Dendroeca  auduboni Abundant, 

4.  Sialia  arctica Rare, 

5.  Troglodytes  pacificus Rare. 

6.  Certhia  amerieana Rare. 

7.  Zonotrichia  intermedia Abundant. 

8.  Junco  oregonus Abundant. 

9.  Spizella  monticola Common. 

10.  Falco  columbarius • Rare. 

11.  Archibuteo  sancti-johannis Rare. 

12.  Cygnus  (buccinator?) . . , Abundant. 

13.  Anser  albatus Abundant. 

14.  Branta  hutcbinsi. •  •  •  - Abundant. 

15.  Branta  nigricans Rare.1 

16.  Ay thya  amerieana Common. 

17.  Ay tbya  vallisneria Common. 

18.  Fulix  marila Abundant. 

19.  Fulix  afflnis Abundant. 

20.  Fulix  collaris Abundant. 

21.  Bucephala  albeola Abundant. 

22.  Bucephala  amerieana Abundant. 

23.  Mergus  americanus Common. 

24.  Mergus  serrator ^ .  Common. 

25.  Erismatura  rubida Common. 

26.  Larus  delawarensis , Common. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  343 

Besides  the  land-birds  marked  as  abundant  in  the  above  list,  the  other 
more  characteristic  winter  residents  were  Amphispim  nevadensis,  Melospiza 
Jieermanni,  and  Fipilo  oregonus.  Turdus  migratorius,  Troglodytes  parkmannij 
Ceryle  alcgon,  Nettion  carolinensis,  and  Mareca  americana  were  also  among 
the  winter  residents. 

7.  Islands  of  Pyramid  Lake  (August,  1867,  and  May,  1868). — The  two 
islands  investigated  ornithologically  are  the  main  island  and  the  one  known 
as  "The  Pyramid,''  from  the  latter  of  which  the  lake  receives  its  name. 
The  former  is  about  ten  miles  distant  from  the  mouth  of  the  Truckee  River 
and  about  two  miles  from  the  nearest  point  on  the  eastern  shore.  Its  shores 
are,  for  the  most  part,  abrupt  and  precipitous,  though  not  high,  there  being 
but  two  convenient  landing-places,  each  a  pointed  beach  of  sand  extending 
far  out  into  the  water.  The  island  is  about  three  miles  in  circuit,  while  in  the 
middle  it  rises  into  two  bold  peaks,  each  about  five  hundred  feet  in  height. 
In  May,  1868,  we  found  the  limited  shore  near  the  southern  beach  thickly 
covered  with  remarkably  large  grease-wood  bushes,  on  the  top  of  each  of 
which,  at  the  height  of  about  five  feet  from  the  ground,  was  the  immense, 
elaborate  nest  of  a  pair  of  Great  Blue  Herons  (Ardea  herodias).  Not  a 
hundred  yards  distant,  in  an  oven-like  recess  in  the  face  of  the  precipitous 
rock  forming  the  shore,  and  inaccessible,  was  the  deserted  eyrie  of  a  Bald 
Eagle  {Haliaetus  leucocephalus);  on  the  elevated  portion  of  the  northern 
beach  several  hundreds  of  Pelicans  (P.  erythrorhynchus)  were  breeding; 
on  a  rocky  plateau  between  the  northern  peak  and  the  shore  an  immense 
colony  of  Gulls  {Larus  californicus)  had  their  nests,  while  swarms  of 
Violet-green  Swallows  (Tackycineta  thalassina)  were  passing  into  and  out 
of  the  crevices  of  the  high  cliffs  near  by.  ^'The  Pyramid"  is  close  to  the 
eastern  shore,  and  appears  as  a  huge  rock  of  very  regular  pyramidal  shape, 
rising  about  three  hundred  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake.  Its  base 
is  a  nearly  perfect  triangle,  each  side  being  a  sheer  precipice  from  the 
water  to  the  height  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  while  only  one  of  the  three 
corners  was  found  to  be  easily  accessible  from  the  boat.  Tempted  by  the 
sight  of  numerous  nests  near  the  top,  among  them  being  one  belonging  to  a 
pair  of  Falcons  {F.  ncevius),  which  flew,  clamoring,  around,  we  ascended  this 
corner,  and,  after  a  careful  climb  without  looking  about,  reached  the  almost 


344  ORNITBOLOGY. 

pointed  summit.  The  view  toward  the  water  was  a  frightful  one.  In  no 
direction  could  be  seen  more  than  the  upper  third  of  the  rock,  and  thus 
the  only  one  possible  path  by  which  we  had  ascended  was  lost  to  view. 
Looking  down  into  the  depths  of  the  deep-blue  water,  three  hundred  feet 
below,  we  could  see  the  pointed  ends  of  similar  pyramidal  rocks  submerged 
many  feet  below  the  surface,  and  only  visible  from  this  height.  The 
descent  was  finally  accomplished  by  exercising  the  utmost  caution  in 
selecting  the  path,  in  whicli  indispensable  aid  was  furnished  by  our  boat- 
men, who,  having  watched  us  ascend,  often  directed  us  when  we  were  at  a 
loss  which  way  to  proceed.  The  only  species  breeding  on  this  isolated 
cliff  were  the  Great  Blue  Heron  and  Peregrine  Falcon,  there  being  of  the 
latter  but  one  pair  in  the  vicinity. 

Along  the  neighboring  shore  were  many  rocks  of  peculiar  form  and 
structure,  styled  by  our  geologists  "  tufa-domes;"  these  usually  had  rounded 
or  domed  tops,  and  were  thickly  incrusted  with  calcareous-tufa,  while  beneath 
they  were  honey-combed  with  winding  passages  and  deep  grottoes.  Among 
these  rocks  several  birds  were  nesting,  conspicuous  among  which  were  the 
Barn  Swallow,  Say's  Pewee,  and  the  '*  House  Finch"  {Carpodacits  frontalis), 
the  nests  of  the  latter,  placed  on  shelves  of  projecting  rock  inside  of 
caverns,  affording  another,  and  very  remarkable,  instance  of  the  ease  with 
which  this  species  accommodates  itself  to  circumstances  in  selecting  a  site 
for  its  nest. 

8.  Gomstock  or  Virginia  Mountains^  near  Pyramid  Lake  (^December  24-27, 
1867). — From  the  south  end  of  Pyramid  Lake  a  wide  canon  leads  up  into 
these  mountains,  and  this  was  ascended  for  a  considerable  distance  on 
three  occasions — twice  in  December  and  once  in  June.  The  slopes  of  this 
cation  were  dotted  with  scattered  cedar  and  pinon  groves,  and  in  many 
places  were  covered  with  bunch-grass  meadows,  while  along  the  stream  was 
the  fringe  of  shrubbery  usual  to  the  banks  of  mountain-streams  in  the  Great 
Basin.  In  December,  Myiadestes  townsendi  was  found  in  the  cedar  groves, 
while  Oreortyx  pictus  was  common  in  the  open  portions. 

9.  Washoe  Valley  (April  25-May  9,  1868).— -This  valley  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  in  Nevada.     Its  form  is  that  of  an  amphitheater  inclosed 


DESCEIPTION  OF  OAMPS.  345 

on  all  sides  by  mountains,  the  lofty,  snow-capped,  and  pine-clad  Washoe 
spur  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  on  the  west,  and  the  high  desert  range  known  as 
the  Comstock  or  Virginia  Mountains  on  the  east,  with  ranges  of  elevated 
hills  connecting  the  two  on  the  north  and  south  sides  of  the  valley.  Enter- 
ing this  park  from  the  south,  Washoe  Lake  is  seen,  shining  like  silver,  to  the 
right,  while  the  steep  slopes  of  the  dark-green  SieiTa  form  an  abrupt  wall  on 
the  left,  the  pine  forests  projecting,  in  places,  upon  the  grassy  valley  in  beau- 
tiful groves,  destitute  of  undergrowth  and  carpeted  by  a  clean  green-sward. 
In  these  groves  Purple  Finches  {Carpodacus  cassini)  sweetly  warbled,  and 
the  Robins  sang  their  mellow  carols,  while  Magpies  and  Woodpeckers  [Pica 
hudsonica  and  Melanerpes  torquatus)  sported  among  the  trees.  Higher  up  in 
one  of  these  groves,  where  alder  thickets  grew  along  the  stream,  the  Thick- 
billed  Sparrow  {Passerella  megarhyncha)  delighted  us  with  its  rich  and  pow- 
erful song,  while  Blue  Jays  [Cyanura  frontalis)  arid  Woodpeckers  (Picus  albo- 
larvatus  and  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus)  were  seen  on  every  hand.  After 
leaving  these  pine  groves  and  crossing  the  valley  to  the  edge  of  the  lake, 
we  noticed  numbers  of  Terns  {Sterna  regia,  S,  fosteri,  and  Hydrochelidon 
lariformis)  flitting  and  hovering  over  the  water,  while  the  surface  of  the 
lake  itself  was  dotted  with  swimming -birds,  among  which  were  identified 
the  Coot  (Fulica  americana)j  Grebes  [Podiceps  occidentalis  and  P.  calif ornicus)^ 
besides  several  of  the  commoner  ducks. 

10.  Steamboat  Valley  (January  3-5,  1867  ;  May  9,  1868). — On  account 
of  an  accident  to  our  vehicle  while  returning  from  Pyramid  Lake,  we 
were  obliged  to  stop  at  the  way-side  hotel  in  this  valley  for  repairs.  The 
delay,  however,  was  compensated  by  the  pleasure  of  making  some  desira- 
ble additions  to  our  collection.  The  ground  was  covered  with  snow,  so 
that  many  birds  flocked  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  buildings  for  food,  and 
from  among  these  were  obtained  specimens  of  Eremophila  alpestris,  Sialia 
arctica,  Colaptes  mexicanus,  C.  *^  hyhridus^^  (^one  specimen),  and  Pica  hudsonica  ; 
while  from  a  willow  thicket  in  the  meadow  near  by  were  secured  a  pair  of 
Otus  wilsonianus. 

Another  portion  of  this  valley,  the  narrow  canon  of  a  stream  flowing 
from  Washoe  Peak,  we  passed  through  on  the  9th  of  May,  1868,  after 


346  ORNITHOLOGY. 

leaving  Washoe  Valley,  and  observed,  for  the  first  time  that  spring,  Den- 
drmca  (Bstiva,  Cyanospiza  amoena^  and  Icterus  huUocJci} 

11.  Carsoh  City,  Nevada  (November  25-December  4, 1867;  January 

13-April  29,  1868).— Carson  City  (altitude  4,700  feet)  constituted  a  central 

point  from  which  investigations  radiated  to  localities  of  very  dissimilar  char- 

acter;  the  pine -forests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  the  west,  and  the  scant 

groves  of  low  gnarled  cedars  and  pifion  on  the  otherwise  bare  ranges  to  the 

eastward ;  the  grassy  valley  of  the  Carson  River,  with  its  thickets  of  small 

willows ;  the  cultivated  fields,  and  the  general  open  waste  of  sage-brush 

plain. 

a.  Pines  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 

The  pine-forests  of  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  had  origin- 
ally extended  from  the  timber-line,  near  the  summits  of  these  high  mount- 
ains, down  to  their  very  base,  ceasing  abruptly  where  the  valley  began, 
except  in  a  few  places  where  they  stood  out  in  scattered  groves  upon  the 
edge  of  the  gentle  slope  at  their  foot;  and,  although  composed  of  trees  far 
less  tall  and  massive  than  those  on  the  western  slope,  were  yet  quite  as 
dense  and  continuous,  where  left  untouched  by  the  hand  of  man.     But, 

^  The  dates  of  arrival  of  spring  birds  in  western  Nevada,  la  1868,  were  as  follows, 
so  far  as  noted : — 

Aloyig  the  shore  of  Washoe  LaJce. 

1.  Fulica  americjyia.. May  9. 

2.  Sterna  regia May  9. 

3.  Hydrochelidou  lariformis May  9. 

In  Steamboat  Valley, 

4.  Deudroeca  sestiva May  9. 

6.  Oyauospiza  amcena May  9. 

6.  Icterus  buUocki May  9, 

Along  the  Truckee,  at  Truckee  Meadoivs. 

7.  Geothiypis  tricbas May  10. 

8.  Icteria  longicauda May  10. 

9.  Pyranga  ludoviciana May  10. 

In  the  lower  Truckee  Valley, 

10.  Carpodacus  frontalis May  13. 

11.  Amphispiza  biliueata May  13. 

12.  Rhyacophilus  solitarius , May  13. 

13.  Hedy tneles  melanocephalus - .  May  14. 


DESCKIPTION  OP  CAMPS. 


347 


unfortunately,  the  most  accessible  portions  of  this  forest  had  been  almost 
completely  destroyed  by  the  incessant  cutting  of  timber  to  supply  the 
market  of  western  Nevada.  These  woods  were  composed  of  several  species 
of.  pines  and  spruces,  but  the  Pinus  ponderosa  was  the  prevailing  growth. 
We  have  no  notes  respecting  the  size  of  the  largest  timber,  but  probably 
few  trees  exceeded  150  feet  in  height,  and  we  saw  none  of  more  than  four 
feet  in  diameter.  The  undergrowth  was  in  places  very  dense,  and  consisted 
mainly  of  a  shining-leafed  evergreen  Ceanothus  and  other  bushes  of  similar 
appearance.  Owing  to  the  distance  to  the  base  of  the  mountains  and  the 
difficulty  of  ascending  to  the  dense  pine  timber  of  the  higher  portions  of 
the  mountains,  we  seldom  penetrated  farther  than  to  the  edge  of  the  uncut 
forest,  where  the  characteristic  birds  of  the  pines  were  found  to  be 
abundant.  The  most  common  species  were  the  Mountain  Jay  {Cyanura 
frontalis),  Clarke's  Nutcracker  (Picicorvus  columbianus),  Nuthatches  (Sitta 
aculeata  and  S,  pygmcea),  Mountain  Chickadees  {Parus  montanus\  and,  in 
the  early  spring,  Carpodaciis  cassini.  The  winter  residents  of  the  pines, 
besides  those  named  above,  were  the  following: — 


Sialia  mexicana Common. 

Certhia  americana Common, 

Eegulus  satrapa Rare. 

Lophophanes  inornatus Common. 

Picas  harrisi Common. 

Pious  albolarvatus Common, 

Picoides  arcticus Bare. 

Sphyrapicus  thyroideus Common. 

Sphyrapicus  nuchalis . .  One  spec. 


Colaptes  mexicanus Common. 

Bubo  subarcticua Common. 

Falco  sparverius Common. 

Nisus  cooperi Rare. 

Aquila  canadensis Common. 

Archibuteo  sancti-johannis Abundant. 

Buteo  calurus Common. 

Oreortyx  pictus Common. 


In  the  spring,  besides  Carpodacus  cassini,  the  following  species  were 

added  to  the  list: — 

Pipilo  chlorurus  {ravines) : April  25. 

Melanerpes  torquatus  [scattered  pines) April  2f5. 

Cyanocitta  calitbrnica  (foot-hills) .   April  29. 

Melospiza  lincolni  [foot-hills) April  29. 

Myiadestes  townsendi  [pine  forests) May  4. 

1).  Cedar  andpinon  groves  of  the  desert  mountains. 
The  scant  groves  of  stunted  cedars  and  pinon  on  several  ranges  to  the 
eastward    are    the  only  approach  to  woods  on  the  desert  mountains.     la 


348  ORNITHOLOGY. 

these  scattered  groves  the  two  trees  above  named  are  mingled,  their  relative 
abundance  varying  with  the  locality,  one  or  the  other  of  them  sometimes 
alone  constituting  the  entire  growth,  the  greater  sterility  of  the  soil  being 
indicated  by  the  prevalence  of  the  Juniperus,  These  trees  are  usually 
diminutive,  rarely  exceeding  fifteen  feet  in  height,  while  their  average  is 
hardly  more  than  ten  or  twelve  feet;  their  trunks  are  usually  large  in  pro- 
portion, however,  and  twisted  and  gnarled  into  an  unsightly  shape.  In 
sucli  woods,  near  Carson  City,  we  found  only  the  Blue  Nixtcracker  {Gymno- 
kitta  €yanocephala)j  Sialia  arctica^  Pica  hiidsonica,  Lophophanes  inornatus^  and 
Oreortyx  piduSj  with  an  occasional  Spizella  hreweri,  Colhirio  excuhitor aides j 
and  Colaptes  mexicanus^  with  now  and  then  a  straggling  flock  of  Psaltri- 
parus  plumbeuSj  the  latter,  however,  most  usually  seen  in  the  ravines.  The 
Empidonax  obsctirus  was  an  additional  summer  resident,  arriving  about 
April  20. 

c.  The  meadows  and  sage-brush  plains. 

The  plain  upon  which  Carson  City  is  situated  consists  of  the  usual 
sage-brush  waste,  changing,  however,  to  meadows  along  the  foot  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  the  soil  is  watered  by  brooks  and  rivulets 
from  the  mountains.  The  winter  residents  of  this  section  were:  Anthus 
ludovicianus,  CoUurio  exeubitor aides,  Plectraphanes  lappanicus,  Eremaphila 
alpestrisj  Amphispiza  nevadensis,  Sturnella  neglecta,  Speatyta  hypagcea  in  the 
sage-brush  and  meadows  of  the  plain,  and  Turdus  migratarius,  Sialia 
mexicanaj  Begulus  calendula,  Tragladytes  parkmanni,  Calluria  barealis,  Zana- 
trichia  intermedia,  Junca  areganus,  Spizella  manticala,  and  Pipilo  areganus 
among  the  more  bushy  fields  at  the  base  of  the  Sierra.  Besides  the 
foregoing,  Carvus  carnivarus  and  Pica  hudsanica  were  abundant  about 
the  slaughter-houses,  while  Xanthacephalus  icteracephalus  and  ScalecapJiagus 
cyanacephalus  frequented  the  vicinity  of  corrals.  In  the  spring,  the  follow- 
ing species  were  added  to  this  fauna: — 

Sayornis  sayus  {about  buildings) March  12. 

Salpinctes  obsoletus  {rocky  places) March  20. 

Oreoscoptes  montanus  {sagebrush) March  24. 

Tachycineta  bicolor  {about  buildings) March  25. 

Passercalus  alaudinus  {meadows) March  28. 

Pooecetes  confinis  {sagebrush  and  meadows) April  1. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  349 

Rhinogryphus  anra  {everywhere) April  2. 

Hiruudo  horreoram  [about  harm) April  8. 

Spizella  breweri  [sage  brush) April  9. 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  [ravine  banks) April  15. 

Progne  siibis  (about  buildings) April  23. 

Zensedura  carolinensis  [everywhere) April  23. 

Chondestes  grammaca  [sage-brush) May  3. 

Petrochelidon  lanifrons  [about  barns) May  4. 

d.  Valley  of  Carson  River, 

The  prominent  characteristics  of  the  valley  proper  of  the  Carson 
River  consisted  of  meadow -lands,  with  dense  willow  thickets  near  the 
river.  In  the  latter,  the  winter  birds  were  the  following  species:  Turdus 
migratoriuSj  Regulus  calendulay  Certhia  americana^  Troglodytes  parkmanni^  T. 
hyemalisj  Bendrceca  audubord,  Zonotrichia  intermedia^  Melospiza  heermanni^ 
Passerella  schistacea,  Pipilo  oregonus^  Pica  hudsonica,  Pious  harrisiy  Colaptes 
mexicanus,  and  Otiis  wilsonianus.  The  marshes  were  inhabited  by  Telma- 
todytes  paludicola,  Melospiza  heermanni,  Circus  hudsonius,  and  Botaurus  minor. 
The  water-fowl  of  the  valley  were,  Branta  canadensis ^  B.  hufchinsi,  Anas 
hoschaSf  Aythya  americana,  A,  vallisneria^  Bucephala  americana,  B,  albeola, 
Fulix  marilaj  F,  coUariSj  Erismatura  ruhida,  Podiceps  occidentalism  P.  cali- 
fornicuSj  and  Podilymbus  podiceps;  while  along  the  streams  were  found 
^gialitis  vocife/rus  and  Cinclus  mexicanus,  with  the  addition  of  Tringoides 
macularius  after  April  29. 

12.  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  (January  5,  6,  and  June  10-20,  1868). — 
Virginia  City  is  situated  on  the  southern  slope  of  Mount  Davidson,  one 
of  the  highest  peaks  of  the  Virginia  or  Comstock  range,  about  midway 
between  the  base  and  summit  of  the  mountain,  at  a  total  altitude  of  near 
6,200  feet.  The  surrounding  mountains  are  of  an  arid  nature,  the  nearest 
timber  being  the  few  cotton- woods  along  the  bank  of  the  Carson  River, 
several  miles  distant.  The  birds  observed  in  the  town  or  its  vicinity  were 
exceedingly  few  in  number,  those  occurring  during  the  breeding-season 
being  species  which  build  their  nests  in  caves,  old  buildings,  or  similar 
places.  The  most  common  species  was  the  House  Finch  {Carpodacus 
frontalis),  which  was  abundant  about  all  old  buildings,  even  in  the  most 
populous  portions  of  the  city;  while  the  Rock  Wren  (Salpinctes  obsoletus)  was 


350  ORNITHOLOGY. 

to  be  found  about  every  abandoned  shaft  or  dilapidated  building.  Sialia 
arctica  was  also  frequently  seen  on  the  houses,  particularly  in  the  outskirts 
of  the  town,  and  nested  in  the  eaves  or  in  any  suitable  place,  in  company 
with  the  House  Finch.  All  the  Swallows  were  extremely  rare,  but  one 
individual,  a  solitary  Purple  Martin  {Progne  suhis),  having  been  seen  or 
heard  during  the  time  of  our  residence,  although  it  is  said  to  be  common 
at  times.  During  winter  time,  all  these  birds  disappear,  by  descending  to 
the  milder  valleys,  excepting  the  Sialia^  which  itself  leaves  during  severe 
storms.  Snow  Birds  (Junco  oregonus)  and  Sparrows  {Spizella  monticola  and 
Zonotrichia  intermedia)  resort  to  the  door-yards  for  crumbs,  and  on  one 
occasion  (January  6,  1868)  we  observed  a  large  flock  of  Gray-headed 
Purple  Finches  {Leucostide  littoralis)  gleaning  over  the  snow  in  the  outskirts 
of  the  city. 

13.  Carson  River j  seven  miles  above  Fort  Churchill  (June  23,  1868). — The 
valley  of  the  river  was  here  heavily  wooded  with  cotton-woods  (Populus 
monilifera  and  P.  trichocarpa),  with  the  usual  undergrowth  of  willows,  buffalo- 
berry  bushes,  etc.  Near  by,  a  range  of  hills  fronted  the  river  in  a  bold 
cliff  of  basaltic  rock,  while  the  general  surroundings  were  the  usual  sage- 
brush plains,  hills,  and  mountains.  The  birds  observed  here  were  the 
following: — 


Tardus  migratorius. 
Sialia  mexicana. 
SalpiDctes  obsoletus. 
Oatherpes  conspersus. 
Troglodytes  parkmanni. 
Deudrceca  aestiva: 
Jeter ia  longicauda. 
Petrocbelidoii  lunifrons. 
CoUurio  excubitoroides. 
Oarpodacas  frontalis! 
Chondestes  grammaca. 
Oyanospiza  amoena. 
Pipilo  oregonus. 
Amphlspiza  biliueata. 


Ampliispiza  nevadenses. 
Sturiiella  neglecta. 
Icterus  bullocki. 
Contopus  richardsoni. 
Myiarchus  cinerascens. 
Tyrannus  verticalis. 
Picas  harrisi. 
Colaptes  mexicanus. 
Antrostomus  nuttalli. 
NeplicBcetes  borealis. 
Falco  sparverius. 
Buteo  swaiasoni. 
Tringoides  macularius. 


NephcBcetes  borealis  was  the  most  abundant  species,  flying  over  the  cotton- 
wood  trees  in  the  morning  in  immense  numbers.  Antrostomus  nuttalli  and 
Icteria  longicauda  both  sang  throughout  the  night. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  351 

14  Fort  Churchill^  Carson River^  {June  24,  1868). — In  general  character 
the  valley  at  this  point  resembled  the  place  just  described.  The  species 
observed  here  were  as  follows :  — 


Troglodytes  park  man  ni. 
Sialia  raexicana. 
Dendroeca  sestiva. 
Icteria  longicauda. 
Myiodioctes  pusillus. 
Vireo  swainsoni. 
Amphispiza  bilineata. 
Amphispiza  nevadensis. 
Spizella  breweri. 
Cyanospiza  amoeua. 
Pipilo  oregoims. 


Sturnella  neglecta. 
Scolecophagus  cyanocephaliis. 
Tyrannus  verticalis. 
Myiarchus  ciDerascens. 
Contoims  richardsoni. 
Picus  barrisi. 
Colaptes  mexicanus. 
Falco  sparverius. 
Buteo  swainsoni, 
Buteo  calurus. 


All  these  species  seemed  to  be  breeding,  but,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the 
valley  was  mostly  inundated  from  a  late  freshet,  it  was  found  to  be  impos- 
sible to  explore  the  locality  for  nests. 

15.  Nevada  Station  (June  25,  1868). — This  place  was  merely  a  stage- 
station  in  the  midst  of  an  inhospitable  desert,  upon  which  a  few  stunted 
grease-wood  bushes  constituted  the  only  vegetation  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
The  only  birds  seen  about  the  station  were  the  ever-present  Mourning  Doves 
{Zencedura  caroUnensis)  and  a  single  pair  of  Sayornis  sayus^  the  latter  having 
a  nest  in  one  of  the  out-buildings.  The  former  was  particularly  abundant 
about  a  hill  of  calcareous  tufu,  containing  many  caverns,  some  distance 
from  the  house,  the  Salpinctes  dbsoletus  being  also  common  there.  On  the 
plain,  only  Eremopliila  alpestris,  Amphispiza  bilineata,  and  Bhinogryphus  aura 
were  found. 

16.  Soda  Lake,  Carson  Desert  (June  27,  1868.  Altitude,  'S^dOQfeet).—* 
This  most  remarkable  spot  consisted  of  a  cistern-like  depression  in  the  midst 
of  the  desert,  containing  a  nearly  circular  lake  of  about  a  mile  in  circuit, 
and  with  nearly  vertical  walls  seventy-five,  or  perhaps  a  hundred,  feet  high. 
Seen  from  the  top  of  this  wall  the  water  appeared  very  clear,  while  the 
bottom  was  distinctly  visible  far  out  toward  the  center,  where  the  depth 
seemed  to  be  immense,  since  the  floor  of  pure  white  borate  of  soda  ended 
abruptly,  after  which  the  water  was  a  deep,  dark  blue.     Springs  of  fresh 

» Altitude,  4,284  feet. 


352  ORNITHOLOGY. 

water  issued  from  the  walls  at  several  places,  and  upon  their  borders  the 
vegetation  was  excessively  luxuriant,  in  consequence  of  protection  from 
winds  by  their  great  distance  below  the  general  surface  of  the  desert,  as  well 
as  the  constant  moisture  of  the  spot;  this  vegetation  consisted  chiefly  of  tall 
tuhj  rank  grasses  and  sedges,  and  rose-briers.  Elsewhere,  the  entire  country 
was  a  sandy  waste,  with  a  scant  growth  of  the  ordinary  desert  shrubs, 
which  within  the  walls  of  the  lake  were  more  thrifty  than  elsewhere.  The 
most  abundant  bird  of  this  place  was  a  very  small,  and  clamorous,  grebe 
(perhaps  Podiceps  calif ornicus)^  which  kept  out  of  gunshot  from  the  shore; 
next  in  numbers  were  the  Avocets  [Recurvirostra  americana)^  multitudes  of 
which  ran  along  the  beach,  scooping  up  the  dead  insects  which  blackened 
the  water  around  the  margin  of  the  lake;  mixed  with  these  were  a  few  Stilts 
(Himantopiis  mexicanus).  A  few  pairs  of  Gulls  {Lams  californicus)^  which 
were  nesting  on  a  large  rock  away  out  in  the  lake,  completed  the  list  of 
water-birds  of  this  locality.  Among  the  land-birds  we  noticed  only  the 
Oreoscoptes  montanus,  AmpMspiza  bilineata,  and  a  remarkable  species,  probably 
Pli(xnopepla  nitens,  which  we  tried  in  vain  to  secure. 

A  few  rods  distant  was  another  somewhat  similar,  but  smaller  and 
shallower,  lake,  where  large  numbers  of  Avocets  and  a  few  Stilts  were 
breeding  on  the  numerous  islands  of  borax  in  the  shallow  water. 

17.  Sand  Springs  Station  (June  29,  1868). — This  locality  is  in  the  midst 
of  the  desert,  the  country  being  extremely  barren,  with  an  immense  hill  of 
shifting  sand  near  the  station.  Only  the  ordinary  desert  birds  were  found 
here,  the  following  being  the  species:  AmpMspim  bilineata,  Eremophila 
alpestris,  Corvus  camivorus,  Zencedura  caroUnensis,  and  Bhinogryphus  aura, 

18.  Fairview  Valley  {June  29,  1868). — This  locality  presented  the  usual 
characteristics  of  a  sage-brush  valley,  with  no  conspicuous  or  interesting 
features.  The  entire  region  was  so  dry  that  water  for  the  use  of  the  station 
had  to  be  hauled  in  wagons  the  distance  of  twelve  miles.  The  quIj  birds 
observed  were  the  following:  AmpMspiza  hilineata,  A,  nevadensis,  Chon- 
destes  grammaca,  Eremophila  alpestris,  and  Speotyto  hypogoea. 

19.  Edwards  Creek  {June  30, 1868). — At  this  camp,  where  there  was  no 
shrubbery  along  the  stream  other  than  a  more  thrifty  growth  of  sage-brash 


DESOBIPTION  OP  CAMPS.  353 

and  grease-wood  than  that  elsewhere  upon  the  plain,  only  the  following 
species  of  birds  were  observed :  Oreoscoptes  montanus,  Spizella  brewerij  and 
Speotyto  hypogcea, 

20,  Humboldt  Marshes^  near  the  **  SinW^  {Altitude,  3,893  feet;  August  26- 
October  31,  1867). — Although  a  week  was  spent  at  this  camp,  the  state 
of  our  health  permitted  the  use  of  but  one  day  for  collecting,  which  is  much 
to  be  regretted,  since  we  have  never  seen  another  locality  where  water-fowl 
so  abounded.  The  writer  was  a  victim  of  malarial  fever,  which  was  only 
aggravated  by  the  nature  of  the  surroundings.  The  marshes  were  miles  in 
extent  and  almost  entirely  covered  by  a  dense  growth  of  tule,  except  where 
the  river  meandered  through,  now  and  then  expanding  into  a  small  lake. 
These  marshes  were  surrounded  by  a  bare  plain,  consisting  in  the  winter 
season  of  mud,  but  at  this  time  baked  perfectly  dry  and  hard  by  the  heat 
of  the  sun,  except  in  the  more  depressed  portions,  which  were  covered  by  a 
deep  deposit  of  snow-white  ^^  alkali."  From  these  extensive  flats,  desert  plains 
lead  away  to  the  barrea  mountains  on  either  side,  whose  summits  are  bare 
and  rugged  eruptive  rocks,  of  weird  forms  and  strange  colors.  Upon  the 
whole,  the  entire  region  was  one  of  the  most  desolate  and  forbidding  that 
could  be  imagined,  and  in  these  respects  is  probably  not  surpassed  by  any 
other  portion  of  the  land  of  ^* alkali"  and  the  "everlasting  sage-brush."  The 
effluvium  from  the  putrid  water  and  decaying  vegetation  of  the  marshes 
was  at  times,  sickening,  while  at  night  the  torments  of  millions  of  the  most 
voracious  mosquitoes  added  to  the  horrors  of  the  place.^  The  land-birds  of 
this  desolate  locality  were  very  few,  a  solitary  raven,  hoarsely  croaking, 
being  now  and  then  seen  winging  his  way  to  or  from  the  distant  mountains, 
an  occasional  Desert  Lark  {Eremophila  chrysolcema)  in  the  scanty  sage-brush 
or  on  the  bare  plain,  or  a  few  Savanna  Sparrows  in  the  salt-grass  of  the 
meadows,  comprising  all  that  were  seen.  The  water-fowl,  however,  were 
extremely  numerous,  and  consisted  of  many  species,  of  which  the  following 
were  identified:  Tringa  bairdi,  T.  minutilla,  Ereunetes  pusillus,  Symphemia 
semipalmata,   Recurvirostra    americanay   Himantopus    mexicanus,    Falcinellus 

^  The  reader  may  be  surprised,  if  not  incredulous,  when  told  that  the  mosquitoes 
and  other  insects  sometimes  came  in  such  swarms  about  the  candles  in  the  camp  as  to 
extinguish  the  lights  in  a  few  moments! 
23  PR 


354  ORNITHOLOGY. 

thalassinus  (extremely  abundant),  Fulica  americana,  Erismatura  rvbida^  Sterna 
regia,  and  S,  forsteri  This,  however,  is  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  species 
inhabiting  these  marshes,  since  without  a  boat  we  had  no  means  of  invading 
the  haunts  of  the  more  wary  kinds.  On  the  31st  of  October  the  same 
place  was  again  visited,  and  several  birds  not  seen  during  our  summer 
stay  were  noted.  Crows  {Corvus  americanus)  were  walking  about  the 
door-yard  with  the  familiarity  of  domesticated  birds ;  a  Falcon  (Falco  poly- 
agrus)  was  seen  to  dash  into  a  flock  of  tame  pigeons  belonging  to  the  station, 
while  from  an  Indian  we  obtained  the  fresh  skin  of  a  Lesser  Snow-Goose 
(Anser  albatus). 

21.  Humboldt  Biver^  at  Oreana  (August  SO^September  3.  Altitude, 
4,036  feet), — ^At  this  place  the  valley  of  the  Humboldt  was,  as  usual,  destitute 
of  trees,  the  only  woody  vegetation  near  the  river  being  the  thick  clumps 
of  small  willows  on  the  points  and  around  the  sloughs.  The  greater  por- 
tion of  the  valley  consisted  of  meadows  of  salt-grass,  but  back  toward  the 
mesa  this  gradually  gave  way  to  an  unusually  tall  -and  vigorous  growth  of 
grease-wood  and  sage-brush.  In  the  latter,  the  most  common  bird  was  the 
Oreoscoptes  montamis,  another  abundant  species  being  AmpJiispim  nevaden- 
sis;  on  the  meadows,  Xanthocephalus  icterocephaluSy  Molothrus  ater,  Agelceus 
phoeniceuSy  and  Sturnella  neglecta;  in  the  willows,  Melospim  fallax,  Den- 
drceca  cestiva,  Vireosylvia  swainsoni,  and  Collurio  excubitoroides ;  Swallows, 
particularly  H.  horreorum,  were  common  in  the  air,  while  large  .flocks  of  the 
Green  Ibis,  or  **  Black  Curlew"  {Falcinellus  thalassinus),  were  almost  con- 
stantly passing  up  and  down  the  river,  now  and  then  alighting  to  feed  for 
awhile  in  a  slough  hidden  among  the  willows.  This  camp  was  finally  aban- 
doned on  account  of  a  severe  form  of  malarial  fever  having  attacked  nearly 
the  entire  party,  the  disease  having  been  contracted  at  our  previous  camp — 
the  Humboldt  marshes. 

22.  WrigMs  Canon,  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (September  3-13, 
1867.  Altitude,  4,881  feet). — Wright^s  Cafion  was  supplied  with  a  brook, 
which,  though  of  considerable  volume  during  the  rainy  season,  was  inter- 
mittent through  the  dry  summer  months.  The  water  ran  briskly  at 
night  and  in  the  cool  hours  of  mom  and  evening,  but  during  the  hotter 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  355 

portion  of  the  day  could  be  found  only  in  pockets  of  the  rocks,  the 
bed  of  the  stream,  or  cool  nooks  completely  shaded  by  overhanging 
bushes.  Bordering  this  stream,  in  its  entire  extent,  the  vegetation  was  lux- 
uriant, compared  to  that  of  other  sections,  the  shrubbery  consisting  princi- 
pally of  a  thick  growth  of  a  small  cornel  {Cornus  pubescens),  from  six  to  ten 
feet  high,  often  canopied  by  the  trailing  stems  and  delicate  foliage  of  a 
species  of  Clematis,  There  were  also  clumps  of  wild  roses  and  a  few  willows, 
interspersed  at  intervals  with  patches  of  elder  [Samhuciis  glauca)  and  thickets 
of  choke-cherries  {Prunus  andersoni  and  P.  virginianus).  No  woods  were  in 
sight,  but  on  the  slopes  of  the  cafion  were  small,  scattered  cedars  (Juniperus 
occidentalis)j  while  a  few  isolated  small  aspens  were  distributed  far  apart 
along  the  stream.  During  midday  the  water  of  the  brook  being  confined  to 
small  pools  where  shaded  by  the  overhanging  shrubbery,  or  in  ''pockets" 
of  the  rocks  in  the  bed  of  the  stream,  the  birds  resorted  to  these  little 
reservoirs  to  refresh  themselves  in  the  shade  of  the  thickets  or  by  bathing  in 
the  cool  water.  The  characteristic  birds  of  this  canon  were  Woodhouse's 
Jay  {Cyanocitta  woodhousii),  Little  Titmouse  {Psaltriparus  plumbeus),  and 
Swainson's  Vireo  (  Vireosylvia  swainsoni).  Besides  these,  the  following  species 
were  found:  Salpinctes  obsoletuSj  Icteria  longicauda^  Myiodioctes  pusillus^ 
Amphispiza  hilineata^  Pipilo  chlorurus,  Troglodytes  parkmanni,  Zonotrichia  inter- 
media^  Hedymeles  nielanocephaluSj  Lanivireo  cassini,  Geothlypis  macgillivrayiy 
Pica  hudsonicaj  Ectopistes  migratoria  (!),  and  Sayornis  sayus:  The  most  abun- 
dant birds  of  the  locality  were  the  Psaltriparus,  Vireosylvia,  Myiodioctes^ 
and  Zonotrichia,  above  mentioned,  the  specimen  of  Ectopistes  being  the 
only  one  observed  during  the  entire  exploration. 

23.  Buena  Vista  Canon^  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (September  17- 
October  23.  Altitude,  5,169  feet), — The  general  aspect  of  this  locality  was 
that  of  Wright's  (Nation,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  range,  except  that  its 
stream  was  constant  and  much  larger,  with  a  wider  extent  of  level  land 
on  each  side,  and  correspondingly  more  extensive  shrubbery,  which,  at  the 
same  time,  was  more  vigorous  and  varied.  This  consisted  chiefly  of  a 
thick  growth  of  buflfalo-berry  bushes,  willows,  and  wild-rose  briers  in  the 
lower  portion  of  the  cation,  and  higher  up  of  choke-cherry  and  rose  bushes, 
mixed  with  extensive  copses  of  small  aspens.     The  slopes  on  each  side 


356 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


were  sparingly  covered  with  scattered  groves  of  "cedar,"  pifion,  and 
'* mountain  mahogany,"  while  the  summits  of  the  mountains  were  for  the 
most  part  bare  and  rocky,  but  not  sufficiently  high  to  retain  snow  during 
summer,  their  elevation  ranging  from  8,000  to  10,000  feet.  The  birds 
found  at  this  locality  during  our  stay  were  the  following: — 


Turdus  inigratorius Abundant 

Cinclus  mexicanus Common. 

Reguius  cnlendala Common. 

Regulus  Hatrapa Rare. 

Sialia  arctica Abundant 

Salpiiictes  obsoletus Abundant 

Psaltriparus  plumbeus Abundant 

Anthus  ludovicianus Bare. 

'  HelmiDthopbaga  celata . . . ,  Abundant 
Helminthopliaga  hiteBcens. Rare. 

DendroBca  auduboni Abundant 

Myiodioctes  pusillus Abundant 

Lanivireo  solitarius Rare. 

Lanivireo  cassini Bare. 

Carpodacus  frontalis Common. 

Zonotrichia  coronata One  specimen. 

Zonotrichia  intermedia Very  abundH. 

Junco  oregonus Very  abuncPt 

Melospiza  fallax Very  abunWt 

Melospiza  guttata Very  rare. 


Passerculus  alaadlnus Common. 

Pipilo  oregonus Rare. 

Pipilo  megalonyx Common. 

Scolecophagus  cyanocepha- 

lus Very  abundH. 

AgelsBus  pboeniceus Common. 

AgelsBus  gubernator Rare. 

Icterus  buUocki Rare. 

Sturnella  ueglecta Common. 

Pica  hudsonica  .   f  Abundant 

Cyanocitta  woodhoasii Common. 

Corvus  carnivorus Common. 

Eremopbila  alpestris Common. 

Sayornis  say  us Common. 

Empidonax  obscurus Rare. 

Colaptes  mexicanas  ...  . ,  Common. 

Colaptes  auratust One  specimen. 

Nisus  cooperi Rare. 

Zensedura  carolinensis Rare. 

Centrocercus  uropbasianus.  JBare. 


The  most  abundant  of  these  was  the  Scolecophagits  cyanocephalus. 

24.  Toydbe  Mountains,  near  Austin  (July  2-5,  1868). — On  the  western 
slope  of  this  lofty  range,  near  its  northern  extremity,  at  an  altitude  of 
about  6,500  feet,  our  camp  was  established  in  a  cafion  adjoining  the  out- 
skirts of  the  above-named  town.  The  cailons  and  principal  ravines  in  this 
neighborhood  were  well  watered  by  brooks  and  rivulets,  whose  course  was 
followed  by  shrubbery  from  their  sources  to  the  valleys.  At  the  heads  of 
these,  canons  extensive  copses  of  small  aspens  and  choke-cherry  bushes 
prevailed,  while  2,000  feet  below,  or  near  our  camp,  thrifty  bushes  of 
Symphoricarpus  montanus  were  the  predominating  growth.  Corresponding  in 
altitude  with  the  aspens,  were  scant  groves  of  stunted  mountain  mahogany, 
growing  upon  the  summits  or  ridges  of  the  mountains;  but  on  the  lower 
slopes  a  thin  wood  of  cedar  and  pifion  prevailed.    In  si^t,  to  the  south- 


DESCRIPTION  OP  CAMPS.  357 

ward,  the  magnificent  snow-capped  peaks  of  the  higher  portion  of  the  range 
were  seen  to  be  timbered  with  pine  and  fir  forests,  but  no  opportunity  was 
afibrded  to  visit  these. 

The  species  observed  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  camp  were  the 
following:  In  the  lower  portions  of  the  cafion,  Pipilo  chlorurus  among  the 
snow-berry  bushes,  Pooecetes  confinis  on  the  weed-clad  and  grassy  slopes, 
SpizeUa  hreweriy  Cyanospiza  amcena^  Antrostomus  nuttalli,  Oreoscoptes  montanus, 
Eremophila  alpestris,  Chondestes  grammaca^  Amphispim  nevadensis,  and  Stur- 
nella  neglecta  in  the  sage-brush — ^from  the  valley-level  to  2,000  feet  above 
camp;  JSmpidonax  obscurus  and  Vireosylvia  swainsoni  in  the  aspen  copses; 
Hedymeles  melanocephalus,  Icterus  buUocJci,  and  Pipilo  megalonyx  in  the  shrub- 
bery along  the  streams;  Tyr annus  verticalisy  Myiarchus  cinerascens,  Spizella 
arizonce,  Scolecophagus  cyanocephalus,  and  Gymnokitta  cyanocephala  in  the  cedar 
and  pinon  groves,  while  Turdus  migratorius  occurred  in  all  wooded  localities; 
Sialia  arctica,  Hirundo  horreorum,  Tachycineta  thalassinaj  Petrochelidon  luni- 
frons^  and  Salpinctes  obsoletus  nested  about  out-buildings  or  in  old  mining- 
shafts,  while  species  of  indiscriminate  distribution  were  Bhinogryphus  aura, 
Buteo  caluruSj  B,  swainsoni,  Archibuteo  (ferrugineus?),  Aquila  canadensis, 
Chordeiles  henryi,  GoUurio  excubitoroides,  Corvus  carnivorus,  and  Zenosdura 
carolinensis.  It  was  here  that  we  met  with  the  first  specimen  of  Panyptila 
saxatilis,  a  solitary  individual  having  been  observed  to  pass  swiftly  over  one 
of  the  higher  hills. 

25.  ''Camp  19,"  Btiby  Valley  and  Buhy  Mountains  (July  12-September  5.) 
Altitude  of  Camp,  6,300  feet, — ^This  camp  was  the  base  of  extensive  researches 
in  all  directions,  both  the  mountains  upon  whose  foot-slope  we  were 
encamped  and  the  valley  below  us  being  included  within  the  field  of 
investigation.  The  valley  was  of  the  same  character  that  sage-brush  valleys 
usually  are,  except  that  its  depressed  center  was  occupied  by  an  extensive 
marsh,  known  as  '^Ruby  Lake,"  the  receptacle  of  the  numerous  springs  of 
pure,  cold  water  which  burst  from  the  base  of  the  limestone  mountains  on 
the  western  side  of  the  valley.  This  marsh  is  so  filled  with  tule  that  the 
meandering  channels  of  clear  water  can  only  be  seen  from  the  mountains, 
from  which  they  appear  as  narirow  silver  threads  in  the  dark-green  rush- 


358  ORNITHOLOGY. 

meadows.  The  birds  observed  in  the  valley  adjacent  to  this  camp  were 
the  following  species:  In  the  sage-brush,  Oreoscoptes  montanuSj  Chondestes 
grammaca,  Spizella  breweriy  Amphispim  nevadensisj  Antrostomus  nuttall% 
Chordeiles  henryi,  and  Zemjedura  caroUnensis;  on  the  meadows,  Passer  cuius 
alaudinus.  Coturniculus  perpaUidus,  and  Grus  canadensis;  in  the  brier 
thickets,  Geothlypis  trichas ;  and  in  the  marshes,  Telmatodytes  paludicola^ 
Xanthocephalus  icterocephalus,  Fulica  americana,  Anas  hoschas,  and  Sterna 
forsteri.  The  mountains  above  this  camp  are  exceedingly  complicated  in 
their  varied  characteristics  and  in  the  distribution  of  their  bird-life.  •  The 
main  carious,  at  right-angles  with  the  trend  of  the  range,  become  contracted 
in  their  lower  portion,  where  their  sides  consist  of  vertical  limestone  cliffs, 
many  of  which  are  200  to  300  feet  in  height ;  similar  cliffs  also  crop  out,  in 
places,  near  the  summit  of  the  range,  standing  singly,  like  immense  walls, 
from  each  side  of  which  the  slopes  lead  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  canons. 
The  altitude  of  the  valley  at  the  base  of  the  mountains  is  about  6,000  feet 
above  sea-level,  while  the  summits  of  the  range  are  from  9,000  to  upwards 
of  12,000  feet  high.  The  canons  here  support  nearly  all  the  shrubbery 
and  herbaceous  vegetation,  while  only  the  spurs  and  higher  slopes  are 
wooded.  The  lower  portion  of  the  streams  within  the  canon  is  followed 
by  the  usual  shrubbery  of  canon  streams,  which  here  consisted  chiefly  of 
choke-cherry,  snow-berry  {Symphoricarpus)^  and  service-berry  {Amelanchier 
canadensis)  bushes,  the  remainder  of  the  canon,  where  not  occupied  by 
rocks,  being  covered  with  the  ordinary  sage-brush  plants.  About  half  way 
to  the  summit,  however,  the  cliffs  cease,  the  caflon  sides  gradually  become 
less  abrupt  and  wider  apart,  and  at  this  elevation  the  gently-inclined  slopes 
are  overspread  with  a  luxuriant  meadow  in  which  various  plants  with 
showy  flowers  abound.  The  sage-brush  still  predominates,  however,  until 
the  lower  edge  of  the  side-slopes  of  the  ^'saddles"  between  the  peaks  of  the 
range  are  reached,  when  the  vegetation  is  transformed  into  a  garden,  as  it 
were,  so  numerous  and  showy  are  the  flowers,  among  which  the  scarlet 
Castilleias  and  Gilias,  and  blue  Pentstemons  and  Delphineums  are  most 
conspicuous,  from  the  circumstance  that  they  give  the  prevailing  hues  to 
the  meadows.  These  flowery  slopes  reach  up  to  the  fields  of  snow,  which 
are  found  in  all  shaded  spots,  and,  at  a  proper  elevation,  even  in  places 


DE8CEIPTI0K  OF  CAMPS. 


359 


constantly  exposed  to  the  sun.  The  woods  of  this  range  begin  at  the  base 
of  the  "spurs"  between  the  cafions,  and  continue,  in  successive  belts,  to 
the  timber-line,  as  follows:  From  the  valley  level,  thick  and  extensive 
woods,  composed  exclusively  of  cedar  and  pinon,  extend  for  2,000  or  2,500 
feet,  when  they  gradually  give  way  to  more  scant  groves  of  mountain 
mahogany  (Cercocarpus  ledifolius),  which,  however,  scarcely  extend  higher 
than  3,500  feet  above  the  valley.  Beyond  this  altitude  no  trees  of  these 
species  are  met  with,  for  on  the  higher  peaks  they  are  replaced  by  forests 
of  pines  (Pinus  flexilis  and  P.  balfouriana),  with  an  undergrowth  of  hardy 
shrubs.  These  pine  trees  are  not  tall,  the  highest  not  exceeding  thirty  or 
forty  feet,  but  they  have  trunks  of  comparatively  large  size ;  and  it  was 
observed  that  when  growing  in  situations  where  exposed  to  the  wind,  which 
here  constantly  blows  from  one  direction,  all  the  branches  of  these  trees 
are  bent  away  from  the  wind,  or,  indeed,  grow  only  upon  that  side,  while 
the  shrubs  underneath  are  pressed  flat  to  the  ground  in  the  same  direction. 
During  our  investigations  among  these  mountains,  the  following  species 
were  observed,  between  July  12  and  the  5th  of  September: — 

Shrubbery  of  canon  streams. 


Icteiia  longicauda Bare. 

Geothlypis  macgillivrayi. .  .Abundant 

M,yiodiocte8  pusillus Bare, 

Dendroeca  aestiva Common, 

Melospiza  fallax  . .  • »  Bare. 

Hedymeles  melauocephalus.  Commo/t. 


Gyanospiza  amoena Common, 

Pipilo  megalonyx Very  rare, 

Pipilo  chlorurus . Common. 

Icterus  bullocki Common. 

Empidonax  pusillus Common. 


Lower  woods. 


Turdus  migratorius Common, 

Parus  montanus Bare. 

Psaltriparus  plumbeus Bare. 

Psfiltriparus  melanotis?  . .,  One  specimen. 
Troglodytes  parkmanni . . .  Common, 
Helminthopbaga  virginise. .  Common. 

DendrcBca  nigrescens Common. 

Pyranga  ludoviciana. Common. 

Lanivireo  plumbeus Common. 

Vireosylvia  swainsoni Common. 

CoUurio  excubitoroides Common. 

Carpodacus  cassini  (Aug.  10)Abundant, 
Loxia  leucoptera  (Aug.  12) .  One  specimen. 
Spizella  arizon» Very  abunWt. 


Icterus  bullocki Common. 

Scolecophagus  cyauocepha- 

lus Common. 

Picicorvus  columbianus .  ...Bare. 
Gymnokitta  cyanocepbala.-JKare. 

Cyanocitta  woodhousii Bare. 

Tyrannus  verticalis Abundant* 

Myiarchus  ciuerascens Common. 

Contopus  richardsoni Common. 

Empidonax  obscurus Common. 

Chordeiles  henryi Abundant. 

Picus  harrisi . Bare. 

Oolaptes  mexicanus Bare. 

Zeoffidura  carolinensis. . . .  .Abundant 


360 


OBNITHOLOGT. 


Alpine  woods. 


Tardus  raigratorius Common. 

Sialia  arctica Abundant 

Oarpodacus  cassini Abundant. 


Chrvsomitris  pinus Abundant. 

Spizella  arizonsB Common. 

Pipilo  chlorurus Common. 


Cliffs  and  rocky  places. 


Salpinctes  obsoletas Abundant. 

Oatherpes  conspersus Common. 

Tacbyciaeta  thalassina  . . ,. Abundant. 

Ilirundo  horreorum Common. 

Petrocbelidon  luuifrons Very  ohundH. 

Sayoruis  say  us Rare. 

Panyptila  saxatilis Very  abunWt. 


Faico  polyagrus Common. 

Falco  usBvius Rare. 

Falco  sparverius Abundant. 

Aquila  canadensis Common. 

Buteo  calurus Common. 

Buteo  swainsoni Common. 


Open  meadows. 


Pooecetes  confinis.  Common. 

Ghondestes  grammaca. , .   -  Common. 
Stellula  calliope Abundant. 


Trochilus  alexandri Common. 

Selasphorus  platycercus  . . .  Very  abundH. 


26.  Overland  Ranche^  Ruby  Valley  (August  28-September  3). — The 
characteristics  of  both  valley  and  mountains  were  quite  different  from  those 
at  ^'Camp  19,"  although  both  were  a  continuation  of  the  same.  The  lime- 
stone formations  of  the  southern  portion  of  the  range  had  become  trans- 
formed to  steeper  and  more  rugged  granite  peaks,  the  highest  of  which 
towered  to  an  altitude  of  about  12,000  feet,  while,  owing  to  their  granitic 
structure  and  extreme  niggedness,  their  slopes  and  spurs  were  almost  desti- 
tute of  vegetation.  The  cafions,  however,  supported,  a  luxuriant  growth 
of  shrubs  and  other  plants,  with  here  and  there  small  copses  or  groves  of 
aspen  and  narrow-leafed  cotton-wood  (JPopulm  angustifoUa\  the  copses  and 
thickets  having  usually  an  undergrowth  of  briery  rosaceous  shrubs,  but 
these,  in  places,  were  replaced  by  a  carpeting  of  beautiful  ferns.  Unlike 
localities  farther  southward  in  this  valley,  this  shrubbery  was  continued 
across  the  valley,  on  the  borders  of  the  stream,  to  the  meadows  which 
extend  to  the  shores  of  Franklin  Lake.  The  meadow-lands  of  the  valley 
had  become  transformed  by  cultivation  into  broad  fields  of  grain,  more  than 
a  thousand  acres  of  the  valley  being  thus  reclaimed.  The  lake,  which 
occupied  the  more  depressed  portion  of  the  valley,  was  simply  an  enlarge- 
ment of  Ruby  Lake,  containing  in  its  central  portion  a  wide  expanse  of 
open  water,  in  which  thousands  of  water-fowl  dwelt  secure  from  the  gunner — 


DESCRIPTION  OP  CAMPS. 


361 


the  lack  of  a  boat  rendering  them  inaccessible.     During  the  short  season 
of  our  stay  at  this  locality  the  following  species  were  identified: — 


In  the  marshes  and  meadows. 


Geothlypis  trlchas Common. 

Passerculus  alaudinus Very  abunWt 

Cotnrniculua  perpallidus  ..Common. 

Dolichonyx  oryzivorus Abundant. 

Xanthocephalus  icterocepha- 

lus Abundant. 

AgelsBua  phoBniceus Abundant. 

Sturnella  neglecta Abundant. 

Circus  budsonius Common. 


Grus  canadensis Common. 

Botaurus  minor Common. 

Falciuellus  giiarauna Abundant. 

Falica  atnericaua Abundant 

Branta  oanadensis Common. 

Anas  bofichas Common. 

Sterna  forstcri Common. 

Hydrocbelidon  lariformis  . .  Abundant. 
Podiceps  cristatus Common. 


Along  the  stream. 


w(3Egialitis  vociferus Abundant. 

Gallinago  wilsoni Common. 


Tringoides  macularius Common. 


In  the  sagebrush. 


Spizella  breweri Abundant. 

Chondestes  grammaca Common. 

Pooecetes  confiuis Common. 


Oreoscoptes  inontanus Common. 

Zenaedura  carolinensis. Abundant. 


In  the  canon. 


Tardus  migratorius  .    .....  Abundant. 

Turdus  swainsoni  Common. 

Trolodytes  parkmanni ...    .  Common. 

Dendroeca  aestiva Common. 

Dendroeca  occidentalis  . .  .^Bare. 

Dendioeca  towusendi Bare. 

Myiodioctes  pusillus    ....  Common. 
Geothlypis  macgillivrayi  . .  Common. 

Geothlypis  trichas Bare. 

Icteria  longicauda Bare. 

Vireosylvia  swainsoni Abundant. 

Loxia  americana  .  Common. 

Loxia  leucoptera  Common. 


Melospiza  fallax  . .   Common. 

Cyanospiza  amoena Common. 

Pipilo  chlorurus Common. 

Icterus  bullocki Common. 

Cyanocitta  woodhousii Bare. 

Tyrannus  verticalis Abundant. 

Contopus  richardsoni Common. 

Empidonax  pusillus Common. 

Empidonax  hatnmondi Common. 

Selasphorus  platycercus  . .  .Abundant. 

Oeryle  alcyon Bare. 

Nisus  cooperi Bare. 


All  of  the  species  in  the  latter  list  were  found  along  the  entire  length 
of  the  stream,  from  the  lower  end  of  the  shrubbery  away  out  in  the  valley 
to  the  upper  portion  of  the  cafion,  with  the  exception  of  Dendroeca  occidentalis, 
D.  tovmsendi,  Loxia  lemoptera,  and  Empidonax  hamfnondi,  which  we  found 
only  in  the  aspen  copses,  far  up  the  canon.  Turdus  migratorius,  T,  swainsoni, 
Loxia  americana,  and  Selasphorus  platycercus  were  also  more  abundant  high 
up  the  canon  than  elsewhere. 


362 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


On  the  foot-hills  of  the  range,  on  each  side  the  cafion,  were  a  few 
scattered  mountain  mahogany  and  cedar  trees,  and  among  these  we  found 
Helminthophaga  virginicej  Contopus  borealis,  Empidonax  ohscuruSy  and  Picicorvus 
colupibianus. 

A  decided  step  toward  a  different  faunal  district,  besides  the  addition 
of  Dolichonyx  orydvorus^  Podiceps  cristatus,  Turdus  swainsoni,  Dendrceca 
toivnsendij  D,  occidentals,  Loxia  americana,  L.  leucoptera,  Empidonax  ham- 
mondi,  and  Contopus  borealis  to  our  list  of  birds,  was  the  circumstance  that 
the  large  white-tailed  hare,  Lepus  campestris,  replaced  the  black-tailed  X. 
callotis,  which,  up  to  this  time,  had  been  the  only  one  observed. 

Species  of  general  distribution  observed  at  this  locality  were  as  follows: 


Rhiiiogryphua  aura Common. 

Aquila  canadensis Common, 

Bnteo  swainsoni Common. 

Archibuteo  sancti-johannis. . .  Common. 
Collurio  excubitoroides .Common. 


Hirundo  horreorura Common. 

Scolecophaguscyanocephalas.A&MW(?a»f. 

Oolaptes  mexicanus Common. 

Oorvus  carnivorus Common. 

Zenasdura  caroliaensis Abundant. 


27.  "  Camp  22,"  Buhy  Valley  (September  4-5, 1868).— The  surroundings 
of  this  camp  were  much  the  same  as  those  at  the  Overland  Ranche,  except 
that  the  valley  was  uncultivated,  while  the  foot-hills  were  higher ;  besides, 
we  had  left  the  marshes  behind.  The  stream  was  bordered  with  willows 
entirely  across  the  valley,  while  in  a  marshy  spot  stood  quite  an  extensive 
grove  of  very  tall  willows  and  alders.  In  the  latter,  considerable  numbers 
of  Loxia  americana  and  i.  leucoptera  were  found,  besides  BendrcBca  cestiva, 
Empidonax  pusillus,  and  Contopm  richardsoni,  while  Gallinago  wilsoni  was 
abundant  on  marshy  ground,  where  was  also  a  small  black  Eail,  supposed 
to  be  Porzana  jamdicensis.  In  the  sage-brush  were  Collurio  excubitoroideSy 
Oreoscoptes  montanus,  Spizella  breweri,  Pooecetes  conjinis,  and  Chondestes 
grammaca,  while  along  the  stream  we  found  Passerculus  alaudinus  and 
Melospiza  fallax.  In  an  elevated  park  at  the  head  of  the  main  cafion  in 
the  foot-hills,  the  following  species  were  observed :  Empidonax  hammondi, 
Contopus  richardsoni^  Chrysomitris  pinus,  Canace  obscura,  Ceryle  alcyon, 
Colaptes  mexicantcs,  Buteo  swainsoni^  Falco  sparverius,  Zencedura  carolinensisy 
Selasphoms  platycerctts,  Pooecetes  confiniSj  Chondestes  grammaca^  Spizella 
breweri,  and  PipUo  chlorurus. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  363 

28.  Secret  Valley^  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (September  6-8,  1868), — 
Secret  Valley  is  a  small  park  nestled  among  high  hills,  with  the  East  Hum- 
boldt Mountains  proper  on  the  west,  and  the  equally  lofty  portion  of  that 
range  known  as  the  '^Clover  Mountains'^  to  the  eastward.  The  higher 
slopes  of  this  valley,  especially  near  the  sources  of  the  streams,  were  clothed 
with  by  far  the  most  varied  and  extensive  vegetation  we  had  yet  seen  east 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  The  aspens  along  the  streams  were  from  40  to  70 
feet  high,  some  of  them  being  1^  to  2  feet  in  diameter ;  while  in  places 
they  were  so  numerous  as  to  form  considerable  groves.  Accompanying 
these  aspens,  were  dense  thickets  of  varied  and  luxuriant  shrubbery,  tall 
alders  and  willows  predominating  in  the  swampy  spots,  while  the  slopes 
were  covered  with  a  nearly  impenetrable  growth  of  ^'  laurel "  bushes  {Cean- 
otlfius  velutinus).  On  the  ridges  the  mountain  mahogany  formed  groves, 
while  in  the  lower  valleys  Amelanchier  canadensis^  or  service  berry,  grew  in 
great  abundance,  furnishing  food  for  many  species  of  birds.  The  birds 
observed  at  this  place  were  the  following :  Among  the  aspens,  Melanerpes 
torquatusj  Colaptes  mexicanus,  Turdus  migratorius,  Chrysomitris  pinus,  Loxia 
americana,  L.  leucoptera,  Contopus  richardsoni,  and  Empidonax  hammondi  In 
the  shrubbery  along  the  streams,  Selasphorus  rufus{l\  S,  platycercus,  Turdus 
swainson%  Troglodytes  parkmanni,  Geothlypis  trichas  (lower  portions),  G.  mac- 
giUivrayii  Myiodioctes  pusillus,  Dendrmca  cestiva,  I>,  townsendi^  Empidonax 
hammondij  Helminthophaga  ruficapiUa,  H.  lutescens,  H.  celata^  Vireosylvia 
swainsoni,  Chrysomitris  tristiSj  Melospim  fallax^  Zonotrichia  intermedia.  Cyan- 
ospiza  amcena,  and  Pipilo  chlorurus.  In  the  sage-brush,  Oreoscoptes  montanuSy 
Collurio  excubitoroideSj  Eremophila  alpestris,  Pooecetes  conftnis,  Chondestes 
grammaca,  Spizella  hrewer%  Sturnella  neglectay  Zencedura  carolinensiSj  and 
Centrocercm  urophasianus.  Among  the  mahoganies,  Empidonax  obscurus 
was  the  most  common  species.  Salpinctes  obsoletus  was  found  in  all  rocky 
places,  particularly  on  the  ridges  -^  a^  single  individual  of  Ceryle  alcyon 
was  seen  along  the  brook,  while  Corvus  carnivorus^  Buteo  caluruSj  Circus 
hudsonius,  and  Falco  polyagrus  were  species  of  irregular  distribution. 

29.  Bearing^  Ttanclie^  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (September  10-1.4). — 
After  crossing  the  East  Humboldt  range  through  the  pass  called  Secret 


364 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


Valley,  we  found  the  country  along  the  western  base  of  the  Clover  Mount- 
ains to  be  similar  to  the  upper  portion  of  Ruby  Valley  in  its  general  char- 
acteristics. As  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  East  Humboldt  range,  the 
streams  from  the  main  calions  were  of  considerable  volume,  while  their 
bordering  shrubbery  continued  with  them  across  the  valley  to  the  river. 
The  shrubbery  along  the  main  streams  of  the  Upper  Humboldt  valley  was 
more  extensive  and  vigorous,  however,  the  cotton-woods  and  aspens  being 
more  numerous,  and  constituting  extensive  groves,  other  spots  being  occu- 
pied by  dense  thickets  of  thorn-apple  {Gratcegus  rivularis),  wild-cherry 
{Prunus  andersonif)j  and  willows  {Salix,  species).  At  this  place  the 
following  species  were  observed: — 


Passerella  scbistacea Common, 

Corvns  carnivorus Common. 

Pica  hudsonica Common. 

Oontopus  richardsoni Common. 

Empidonax  hammondi Common. 

Ceryle  alcy on Bare. 

Colaptes  mexicanus Common. 

Melanerpes  torquatus Bare. 

Picas  gairdneri 1 Bare. 

Otas  wilsoQianus Bare. 

Falco  sparverius   Common. 

Falco  columbarius Bare. 

Circus  hudsooius Bar0. 

Nisns  cooperi Bare. 

Nisus  fnscus Common. 

Buteo  calurus Bare. 

Buteo  swainsoni Bare. 

Aquila  canadensis Bare. 

Rhinogryphus  aura. Bare. 

Zensedura  carolinensis Abundant. 


Turdus  migratorius 

.  Common. 

Tardus  swainsoni 

. .  Common, 

liegulus  calendula 

. .  Common. 

Troglodytes  parkmanni 

. .  Common. 

Sitta  canadensis 

. ,  Common. 

Hehninthophaga  celata 

..Abundant 

Helminthophaga  lutescens. 

..Bare. 

Dend'-oeca  SBstiva  — 

.   Common. 

DendroBca  auduboni 

.  Abundant. 

Myiodioctes  pusillus 

. .  Abundant. 

Ampelis  cedrorum 

. .  Common. 

Vireosylvia  swainsoni .   , . . 

,  .Abundant. 

Lanivireo  aolitarius 

. .  Common. 

Pyranga  ludoviciana 

. .  Common. 

Zonotrichia  intermedia. 

.  Abundant. 

Melospiza  fallax 

..Abundant. 

Spizella  breweri 

.  Abundant 

Oyanospiza  amcBna 

.  Common. 

Pipilo  chlorurus 

. .  Common. 

Scolecophaguscyanocephalus.A&un^aT^e. 

30.  Trout  Greek,  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (September  16-20,  1868).— 
This  locality  was  very  similar  to  the  last,  a  large  brook,  with  an  accompany- 
ing growth  of  shrubbery  and  thickets  of  small  trees,  extending  across  the 
valley  from  the  Clover  Mountains  to  the  Humboldt  River,  the  plain  itself 
being  covered  by  the  usual  sage-brush  plants;  but  the  upper  portion,  next 
to  the  lower  foot-hills  of  the  mountains,  was  clothed  with  rye-grass  meadows, 
interspersed  with  willow  and  aspen  cepses.     In  these  rye-grass  meadows 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS.  365 

the  Sharp-taUed  Grouse  {Pedioscetes  Columbians)  was  very  abundant.  The 
principal  species  met  with  along  this  creek  were,  besides  that  above-named, 
the  following: — 


Tardus  gattatus One  specimen. 

Parus  septentrionalis Rare. 

Zonotrichia  intermedia Abundant. 

Junco  oregonus Abundant. 

Melospiza  fallax Abundant 

Melospiza  HdcoIdI Abundant. 

Pipilo  chlorurus Common. 


Passercalus  alaudinus Abundant 

Empidonax  obscurus Common. 

Spbyrapicus  nuchalis Bare. 

Pious  harrisi Rare. 

Picus  gairdneri Rare. 

Antrostomus  nuttali Common. 


31.  Clover  Mountains  (September  19,  1868). — On  the  above  date,  a 
trip  was  made  to  near  the  summit  of  the  main  peak  of  this  range  by  follow- 
ing Trout  Creek  from  our  camp  up  the  cation  to  its  head,  returning  by 
another  canon  to  the  southward.  The  summit  of  this  peak  is  very  lofty, 
rising  considerably  above  the  timber-line,  or  to  an  altitude  of  near  12,000 
feet.  Large  fields  of  perpetual  snow  lay  in  the  ravines  and  behind  masses 
of  rock,  and  in  several  places  below  the  bare  summit  were  quite  extensive 
pine  woods.  Nothing  of  interest,  ornithologically,  resulted  from  this  exceed- 
ingly laborious  day's  work,  however,  only  the  usual  species  being  observed. 
The  commoner  species  of  the  alpine  woods  were  Sitta  canadensis,  Parus 
montanuSj  and  Junco  oregonus^  while  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  cations,  where 
pines  and  aspens  were  intermingled,  Canace  obscura  was  very  abundant. 

32.  Rolmes^s  Creek,  near  Thousand  Spring  Valley  (September  22-26. 
Altitude,  about  6,000 /eei). — Observations  at  this  camp  were  confined  chiefly 
to  a  small  valley  nestled  among  a  range  of  low  hills  separating  the  valley 
of  the  upper  Humboldt  from  Thousand  Spring  Valley.  Around  a  spring, 
which  supplied  the  camp  with  water,  grew  a  thicket  of  tall  willows  and 
aspens,  while  along  the  rivulet  from  this  spring  grew  willow  bushes.  Else- 
where, only  the  ordinary  sage-brush  plants  flourished.  In  the  thickets 
above  mentioned,  Dendro^ca  totonsendi,  Sphyrapicus  nurchalis,  and  Nyctaie 
acadica  were  obtained. 

33.  ''City  of  Mocks,'' "^  Southern  Idaho  (October  2,  1868).— The  hills 

^  This  locaUty  derives  its  name  from  a  remarkable  valley  among  the  mountains 
close  by,  where  immense  piles  of  granite,  rising  from  the  floor  of  the  valley,  vaguely  rep- 
resent a  city  of  eastlea,  domes,  and  mosques. 


366  OBNITHOLOGY. 

about  this  locality  were  extensively  covered  with  unusually  luxuriant  woods 
of  cedar  and  pifion,  among  which  GymnoUUa  cyanocephala  and  Gyanocitta 
woodhousii  were  more  abundant  than  we  had  ever  seen  them  elsewhere. 
Corvus  carnivorm  and  Centrocercus  urophasianus  were  also  abundant. 

34.  Deep  Greeks  Northwestern  Utah  (October  5,  1868).— At  this  point 
of  our  route,  the  nearly  level  sage-brush  plain  was  intersected  by  a  narrow 
valley  considerably  below  the  general  level,  through  which  flowed,  with  a 
sluggish  current,  a  very  narrow  but  remarkably  deep  creek,  a  tributary  of 
the  Great  Salt  Lake.  The  banks  of  this  creek  were  lined  with  rushes, 
while  in  the  valley  itself  were  willow  thickets.  The  principal  birds 
observed  here  were  the  following:—^ 

Melospiza  lincolni. 


Ainphispiza  nevadeusis. 
Zonotrichia  intermedia. 
Melospiza  t'allax. 


Telmatodytes  paludicola. 
Geothlypis  tricbas. 


35.  Vicinity  of  Salt  Lake  City^  i7ifafe^(May  20--June  1,  and  June  14-21, 
1869). — Owing  to  its  diversified  character,  the  vicinity  of  Salt  Lake  City 
proved  exceedingly  favorable  to  the  objects  of  the  exploration ;  the  scrub- 
oaks  of  the  hill-sides,  the  luxuriant  and  varied  shrubbery  along  the  stream 
in  City-Creek  Cation,  the  meadow-lands,  both  wild  and  cultivated,  between 
the  city  and  the  lake,  the  tule  sloughs  along  the  Jordan  River,  and  the 
extensive  marshes  about  the  lake-shore,  having  each  their  peculiar  species^ 
besides  those  found  in  the  sage-brush,  and  others  of  general  distribution. 
The  species  noted  in  the  vicinity  of  Salt  Lake  City  during  the  months  of 
May  and  June  were  those  given  in  the  annexed  list,  most,  if  not  all,  of  them 
having  been  found  breeding  in  the  neighborhood.  The  asterisk  placed  in 
one  or  more  columns  after  the  name  of  a  species  Indicates  its  center  of 
abundance,  the  columns  representing  the  following  types  of  localities : — 

1.  Sagebrush  plains  and  mesas. 

2.  Meadows,  chiefly  toward  the  lake. 

3.  Tale  sloughs  and  marshes  near  Jordan  Elver. 

4.  Open  ponds,  shore  of  the  lake,  etc. 

5.  Thickets  along  the  streams,  valley,  and  lower  part  of  Oity  Greek  Oafion. 

6.  Scrub-oaks,  slopes  of  City  Creek  Canon. 

7.  Rocky  places,  City  Creek  Canon. 

8.  Of  general  distribution. 

9.  Mountain  mahoganies  and  scattered  cedars  on  lower  spurs  of  mountains. 

1  Altitude  about  4,000  feet 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CAMPS. 


367 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

6. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

1.  Tiirdaa  misrratorias 

• 

* 
* 

• 

* 

2.  Tiirdus  aadnhoni 

3.  Tardus  swainsoni 

4.  OreoscoDtes  montanus 

5.  GalescoDtea  carolinensis * . . 

• 
* 

6.  Cinclus  mexicanus.    

7.  Sialia  arctio.a 

« 
# 

8.  Troglodytes  parkmanni , 

9.  Telmatodvtes  oaludicola 

10.  DendrcBca  sBstiva  

* 

11.  Helminthonhaflra  virffiniai 

12.  Geothlvnia  trichas           

13.  GreothlvDis  inacffillivravi . 

14.  Icteria  lonsricauda 

15    Sfitonhaca  rutiftilla   .^ 

16.  Pvranera  ludoviciana 

17.  Profirnft  Rubia     ».. 

18.  Petroohftlidon  lunifrona      

# 
• 
# 

19.  Himndo  horreomui 

20.  TachvcinBta  thalaaaina 

21 .  Taohvoinftta  bicolor 

22.  (jofiVlft  rinaria 

2.S    St;f^l£iriflftiit".Arv3r  aftrrinGnnia        .    . 

24.  Vireoavlvia  awaiiisoiii 

* 

25.  Tjaiiivireo  nlnmbeiia 

# 

26.  OarDodacus  cassini 

• 

27.  CarDodacaa  frontalis 

# 

28.  (.Jhrvsomitris  fcriatia 

• 
• 

29.  Chrvaomitria  naaltria 

30.  Ohrvaomitria  11111  ua -. 

« 

31    Passerp.nbia  alaiidiniia.      .   . 

• 
• 

32.  Ootumicnliia  nernallidiis 

» 

.3.3    ^onofirifihia  lfinr.oolirv8     . 

34    IVf  ftloaniza  'fallait      .    - -..-    .. 

# 

S5    AmnhiAni7.a  bilififsata               «-    .      -... 

• 
• 

36.  Spizella  breweri 

• .  •  • 

•  •  •  • 

•  •  •  • 

•  •  •  • 

068 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

37.  Soizella  ari^onsB •    •..••....». 

• 

• 

38.  Ghondestes  grammaoa  . . . .  ^ 

# 

39.  Hedvnacles  melanoceDhalns* 

• 

40.  OvanosDiza  amoBna 

• 
• 

• 

41.  Pioilo  mesaloDYX 

42.  Pipilo  chlorurus 

43.  Dolichonvx  orvzivorus 

# 

44.  Molotbrus  ater ..-.•-... 

# 

45.  Xanthocephalns  icterocephalas 

• 

* 

... 

.... 

46.  AgeladQs  pbodiiiceas 

47.  Scolecophafiras  cvanoceDhalas 

.... 

•  *  *  • 

# 

48.  Sturnella  negleota •  . 

* 

49.  Icterus  bullocki 

# 
• 

50.  Cyanocitta  woodhousii 

• 

51.  Oorvus  carnivoras 

* 
* 
* 

52.  Tyrannus  verticalis ..»w.... 

53.  Tyrannus  carolinensis 

54.  Myiarcbus  cinerascens 

• 

55.  Sayomis  sayus . 

« 

56.  Oontopus  riobardsoni 

57.  EiOipidonax  pusillus 

•  - 

58.  Antrostomus  nuttalli 

* 
* 

. . . . 
.  -  i . 

50.  Ohordeiles  benryi 

# 

60,  Panvptila  saxatilis '. 

« 

61.  Selaspborus  Dlatvcerous 

• 
# 

62.  Trocbilus  alexandri 

63.  Cervle  alcvon 

• 
• 
* 

64.  Melanerpes  erytbrocepbalus 

65.  Colaptes  mexicanus 

66.  Soeotyto  byooffsea * 

* 

67.  Circus  badsonius  *  • 

• 

68.  Falco  polvafirrus  - 

, 

• 

• 

• 

.... 

69.  Falco  sparverius 

. . 

70.  Buteo  swaiosonl 

71.  Zeu8Bdura  carolinensis i 

72.  Gentrooereus  UFophasianus.   .  ^ 

. ». 

«  •  .  w 

, . .  * 

DE80EIPTION  OP  CAMPS. 


369 


73.  Pedioecetes  columbianus . , 

74.  ^gialitis  vociferas 

75.  uEgialitis  nivosas 

76.  Kecurvirostra  americana.. 

77.  Himantopus  mexicanus... 

78.  Steganopus  wilsoni 

79.  Ereanetes  pusillas , 

80.  Tringa  minutilla 

81.  Tringoides  macularius 

82.  Symphemia  semipalmata. . 

83.  Numenius  longirostris  . . . . 

84.  Falcinellus  guarauna 

85.  Ardea  herodias 

86.  Herodias  egretta 

87.  Botaurus  minor 

88.  Grus  canadensis 

89.  Rallus  virginianus 

90.  Porzana  Carolina 

91.  Fulica  americana 

92.  Anas  boschas 

93.  Dafila  acuta 

94.  Ohaulelasmus  streperus... 

95.  Mareca  americana 

96.  Spatula  clypeata . . . . . 

97.  Querquedula  cyanoptera.. 

98.  Querquedula  discors 

99.  Kettion  carolinensis , 

100.  Erismatura  rubida 

101.  Graculus  floridanus 

102.  Sterna  regia 

103.  Sterna  forsteri 

104.  Hydrochelidon  lariformis 

105.  Podiceps  occidentalis 

106.  Podiceps  californicus 

107.  Podilymbus  podiceps .... 


1. 


2. 


7. 


8. 


# 
* 

« 
* 
* 
* 

* 
* 

• 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 
ft 


24  PB, 


370  .     ORNITHOLOGY. 

36.  Antelope  Islcmd,  Great  Salt  Lake  (June  4-8, 1869 ). — ^Antelope  Island, 
the  largest  of  the  islands  in  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  appears  as  a  long  range  of 
barren  mountains,  rising  from  the  water.  The  island  is  about  fifteen  miles 
in  length,  by  about  three  in  width  at  the  broadest  part,  while  its  longitudinal 
axis  culminates  in  a  broken  rocky  ridge,  the  highest  peak  of  which  is,  per- 
haps, some  1,500  to  2,000  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake.  Some  years 
ago,  when  the  Salt  Lake  Valley  was  first  settled  by  the  Mormons,  this  island 
was  indeed  a-part  of  the  mainland,  a  strip  of  low  ground  then  connecting 
it  with  the  shore.  The  gradually  increased  annual  rain-fall,  brought  about 
by  the  careful  cultivation  of  the  country  by  the  early  settlers,  first  by 
artificial  irrigation,  but  in  time  aided  by  more  and  more  frequent  showers, 
wrought,  among  other  notable  changes  in  the  character  of  the  country,  a 
great  difference  in  the  level  of  the  lake,  which  grew  higher,  year  by  year, 
until  the  isthmus  above  mentioned  became  entirely  submerged.  The  entire 
island  presents  the  usual  desert  aspect,  through  the  general  absence  of 
water,  save  at  one  place  on  the  eastern  shore,  where  springs  of  pure,  fresh 
water  irrigate  the  soil.  This  spot  had  been  selected  by  representatives  of 
the  Mormon  church  as  the  site  of  a  ranche ;  and  it  was  here  that  our  camp 
was  established.  In  the  thrifty  orchard  of  this  thriving  little  farm  were 
found,  nesting,  the  Cat-bird  {Galeoscoptes  carolimnsis)^  Redstart  (Setophaga 
ruticilla)j  Traill's  Flycatcher  {Empidonax  pusillus\  Bullock's  Oriole  {Icterus 
biUlocki)j  and  Warbling  Vireo  (Vireosylvia  swainsoni)]  while  about  the 
buildings  a  pair^  of  Mountain  Blue-birds  (Sialia  arcticd)  had  their  abode,  as 
did  also  several  paii-s  of  the  House  Finch  {Carpodacus  frontalis).  The 
former  were  feeding  a  family  of  fuU-fledged  young,  and  were  the  first  of 
this  species  we  ever  saw  at  so  low  an  altitude  during  the  breeding-season, 
although  they  were  observed  later,  under  similar  circumstances,  in  Salt 
Lake  City. 

In  the  sage-brush,  Oreoscoptes  montanus^  Amphispiza  hilineata^  Spizella 
brewery  Ohondestes  grammacaj  Carpodacus  frontalis^  Bremophila  clirysokema^ 
Collurio  excuUtoroides^  Zencedura  carolinensis,  Agdcem  phcenicew,  and  JEgia- 
litis  vociferus  were  nesting;  while,  in  a  wet  meadow,  Passer  cuius  alau- 
dinusj  Agekem  phoeniceus,  and  Numenius  longirostris  had  young.  The  only 
additional  species  noticed  among  the  mountains,  were  Cyanospim  ammna 


DESOBIPTION  OP  OAMPS.  371 

and  Pipilo  megalonyx^  in  a  ravine,  and  Corvm  carnivorus,  about  the  rocky- 
peaks. 

37.  Stansbury  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake  (June  1 2,  1869). — This  island, 
like  the  one  just  described,  was  formerly  connected  with  the  mainland  at 
its  southern  extremity;  but  it  is  now  far  out  in  the  lake.  No  water  could 
be  found  upon  it,  and  consequently  the  birds  were  very  scarce.  The  only 
species  obtained  was  Galeoscoptes  caroUnensis,  of  which  a  single  individual, 
probably  a  straggler,  was  secured. 

38. — Garrington  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake  (June  17,  1869). — The  writer 
did  not  visit  this  island,  but  two  members  of  the  party,  Messrs.  Watson  and 
Davis,  who  were  there,  brought  with  them  on  their  return  eggs  of  Mecur- 
virostra  americana,  Branta  canadensis,  and  Larus  californicus,  and  reported 
various  other  water-fowl  as  breeding  upon  this  island  and  a  smaller  one 
near  by. 

39.  ''Babbit  Island^'  Great  Salt  Lake  (June  11,  1869).— This  island  was, 
at  the  time  of  our  visit,  merely  a  remnant  of  that  portion  of  the  southern 
shore  of  the  lake  which  is  now  submerged.  It  consisted  of  merely  a  low 
knoll,  occupying  scarcely  an  acre  in  extent,  and  was  named  by  our  party 
''Rabbit  Island"  on  account  of  the  large  numbers  of  hares  (Lepus  callotis) 
which  were  found  on  it.  The  latter  were  so  numerous  that  when  our  boat 
landed  they  were  seen  rushing  frantically  around,  several  of  them  leaping 
into  the  water  in  their  efforts  to  escape.  The  surface  of  this  small  island 
was  covered  with  a  thrifty  growth  of  sage-brush  and  grease-wood,  in  which 
several  pairs  of  Oreoscoptes  montanus  and  Spizella  breweri  had  their  nests.  A 
single  nest  of  Mareca  americana,  containing  ten  eggs,  was  also  found 
beneath  a  grease- wood  bush. 

40.  Parley^s  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah  (June  23-July  2,  and 
July  16-August  16/  1869). — This  locality  is  an  elevated  park,  or  broad 
valley,  lying  at  the  eastern  base  of  the  main  chain  of  the  Wahsatch,  and 
25  miles  distant  from  Salt  Lake  Cit}^.  From  the  latter  it  was  approached 
by  the  canon  of  Jordan  Creek,  a  considerable  brook,  whose  sources  are 
among  the-  mountains  surrounding  this  park,  while  along  the  eastern  side 


372  ORNITHOLOGY. 

flowed  Silver  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Weber.  The  average  altitude  of 
this  park  is  about  6,500  feet,  while  some  of  the  neighboring  peaks  of  the 
maiii  fange  rise  4,000^  fe'et  or  more  higher,  and  on  whose  bare,  rocky  sum- 
mits spots  of  snow  linger  all  the  summer  in  the  sheltered  places.  The 
general  character  of  this  park  is  that  of  a  luxuriant  meadow,  parts  of  it 
under  cultivation,  the  hill-sides  being  covered  with  a  thick  scrub  of  dwarf- 
oaks  {Querctis  alba^  varJ),  while  the  higher  slopes  are  covered  by  a  dense 
forest  of  Coniferae,  composed  of  several  species  (Pinus  flexiliSj  P.ponderosa^ 
P.  contortaj  Abies  mendesiij  A.  englemann%  A.  douglass^i,  A.  grandisj  A.  ama- 
hilts i  and  Juniperus  virginiana).  The  higher  portions  of  the  ravines  are 
occupied  by  shady  groves  of  tall  aspens  {Populus  tremuloides),  while  bordering 
the  lower  portions  of  the  streams  grow  scattered  trees  of  the  narrow-leafed 
cotton-wood  {Populus  angusti folia),  and  luxuriant  shrubbery,  of  varied  species. 
Indeed,  the  desert  character  of  the  country  to  the  westward  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  was  here  almost  entirely  wanting.  As  a  natural  consequence  of 
increased  prevalence  and  luxuriance  of  vegetation,  the  birds  were  much 
more  numerous  than  we  had  found  them  at  any  previous  camp,  and  while 
we  found  eastern  trees  and  shrubs  replacing  their  western  representatives, 
or  added  as  new  elements  to  the  western  sylva,  we  also  found  many  birds 
of  the  Eastern  Region  as  common  here  as  at  any  point  in  the  Atlantic  States. 
Such  species  were  the  Cat-bird  {Galeoscoptes  carolinensis)  Swainson's  Thrush 
{Turdus  swainsoni)^  Eedstart  {Setophaga  ruticilla),  and  White-crowned  Spar- 
row (^Zonotrichia  leucophrys),  A  species  of  the  plains,  or  the  Campestrian 
Province  {Calamospiza  bicolor),  was  also  here  met  with  for  the  first  time, 
while  several  birds  characteristic  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  proper  were 
more  or  less  common,  as  Turdm  auduboni^  HelminthopJiaga  virginice,  Passer ella 
schistaceay  Juneo  caniceps,  and  Gyanura  macrohpka.  In  this  beautiful  park 
three  species  of  Humming-birds  were  found,  viz :  Selaspkorus  platycercus^ 
Stellida  calliopey  and  Trochilus  alexandri,  the  flowery  meadows  of  the  upper 
portion  of  the  callons  being  especially  attractive  to  these  ^^  feathered 
gems." 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  species  found  at  this  locality 
during  the  period  indicated  above,  their  distribution  being  explained  by  the 
annexed  columns : — 


DESCEIPTION  OF  CAMPS. 


373 


1 

i 

1 
1 

1 

if 
11 

1^ 

1 

t 

1 

09      . 

6 

1 
TO  « 

1.  Tardus  micrratorius ..* 

* 

# 

2.  Tardus  swaiusoui 

« 

3.  Tardus  auduboDi 

* 

4.  Galeoscontes  carolinensis 

« 

5.  Sialia  arctica 

• 

# 
* 
* 
# 
* 
# 

« 

« 

G.  CiDclus  mexlcanus 

7.  Reffulus  calendula 

8.  Parus  moutauas 

9.  Sit  ta  aculeata * 

' '  - ' 

10.  Sitta  caiiadBnsis 

1 1    Sittia  i^vcinflfta      ..    .. 

, 

1 2._  Certhia  americana 

18.  Trofflodvtes  narkmauni 

* 



• 

14,  Telmatodvtes  paludicola 

# 

15.  !EremoDhila  aloestris 

* 

1 G,  Helminthophaga  celata 

17.  Heltninthopliaga  virginise 

• 
* 

18.  DeudroBca  sestiva . . .  ^ . .  * .  i 

• 

19.  DendrcBca  auduboui 

^ 

20.  DendroBca  nigresc^ns 

* 

21.  GeothlvDis  macirillivravi 

« 

22.  GeothlvDis  trichas 

* 

23.  Icteria  lon^zicauda 

• 
# 

• 

24.  Mviodioctes  nusillua 

*? 

25.  SetoDhacra  ruticilla 

2G.  Pyranga  ludoviciana 

•? 

* 

27.  Progne  subis  » 

28.  Potrochelidon  lunifroDs 

# 

^9.  Hirundo  horreorum 

* 

30-  Tafibvciiieta  bieolor .    

« 

31    Taohvcineta  tlialassina        

32.  Ootvle  riuaria 

• 

33.  Stelcridontervx  sorrinennia 

• 

34.  Vireosylvia  swaiusoni 

• 

•f 

* 

>  •  •  • 

374 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


1 

1 

1. 

i 

II 
II 

O    Gu 

1* 

rg 

i 

2    . 

11 

So 

35.  Lanivireo  plumbeus 

# 

36.  CoUurio  excubitoroides 

# 

37-  GarnodacaR  cas^tini 

# 

•  ♦ 

38.  CaTDodacns  frontalis 

.... 

* 
#- 

# 

39.  Ghysomitris  tristris , 

40.  Chysomitris  T)S£iltria • . . . 

41.  Chvsomltris  pinns .......,.' 

# 

# 

42.  Passerculus  alaudiDtis  -  - .     

• 

• 

43.  Pooecetes  coDfinis 

« 

44.  Coturnlculus  DerDallidas 

45.  Melospiza  lincolni 

* 

46.  Melospiza  fallax . . . , 

* 

47.  Junco  caDiceps 

* 

48.  Spizella  arizonse . . . , 

• 

* 



« 

49.  Spizella  breweri 

« 

60.  2onotrichia  leucophrys 

« 

.       .        .         . 

51.  Ohondestes  grammaca 

62,  Passerella  schistacea  . .  • . .   .......... 

# 

* 

63.  Galamospiza  bicolor 

# 

64.  Hedymeles  melaDoceDhalus 

« 
# 

55*  Oyanoi^iza  amoeiia 

66.  Pipilo  megalooyx 

* 

# 

57.  Pit)ilo  chlorurus  • 

68.  Molothrus  ater , 

« 
» 

# 

« 

.       .       .        . 

69.  A^elsens  phcBniceus . .  -  

60.  Xanthocenhalus  icterocenhalas 

61.  Icterus  ballocki  . 

« 

62.  Sturnella  neirleota ••.»•..« 

«- 

« 

63.  Scolecophagns  cyapocephalas 

•- 

# 

64.  Corvus  carnivorus • 

65,  Ovanocitta  woodhousii 

• 

• 

66.  Gvaniira  macrolonha ^ 

• 

# 

67,  Picicorvus  colutabianus 

68.  Tyrannus  verticalis 

• 

DBSOBIPTION  OF  OAMPS. 


376 


aa 

i 
1 

II 

1^ 

If 

Ml 

OQ 

i 

g 

Q    00 

OS- 
'S 

J 

69,  Tyrannus  carolincnsis 

* 

70. -Mviarchus  ciDerasccns  ...* 

« 

71.  ContoDus  borealis 

* 

72.  Gontopus  ricbardsoni ^ 

* 

* 

* 
* 

73.  Empidonax  obscurus 

74,  EiuDidonax  diMcilis 

# 

75.  EmpidoDax  pusillus 

# 

76.  Antrostomiis  DUttalli    . .  • 

# 
.# 

77.  Chordeiles  henrvi 

* 

78,  Trochilus  alexandri 

* 
« 
* 

79,  Stellula  callioDe 

80.  SelasT)boriis  Dlatvcercus 

81.  Cervle  alcvon 

82,  Picas  barrisi , • . 

*       ' 

* 
* 

* 
# 

83.  Piiiiis  srairdneri 

84.  SDhvraDicus  nucbalis 

* 

.... 

85.  SDhvraDiciis  tbvroideus 

86.  Golantfts  mexicanuA * 

# 
# 

— 

# 

* 
* 

« 

87,  Bubo  subarcticus 

88.  Falco  DolvafiTTus 

* 

* 

89.  Falco  snarveriiis 

# 

.  .. 

• 

? 

1 

• 

90.  Circus  budsonius 

91.  Nisus  cooperi , . 

• 
* 

— 

f 

* 

* 
• 

92.  Nisus  fuscus 

93.  Buteo  calurus 

# 

94.  Buteo  Rwainsoni ....    »...-. 

« 

— 

# 

95.  Arcbibuteo  sancti-iobaniiis 

# 

• 

96.  Aa uila  canadensis 

« 

97.  Rbinofirrvnbus  aura 

98.  Zens&dura carolinensis , ^.. 

# 

• 

• 
« 

99.  Canace  obscura 

• 
• 

100-  jRonaaa  umbelloid^s 

101.  Centrocercus  urophasianus 

102,  PedicDcetes  columbianus 

• 
« 

• 

•    •    •    • 

•  •  •  • 

376 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


103.  -^gialitis  vociferus 

104.  Gallinago  wilsoni 

105.  Ereunetes  pusillus. 

106.  Actodromus  minutilla 

107.  Symphemia  semipalinata . 
308.  Tringoides  macularius  ... 

109.  Ehyacophilus  solitarius  . . 

110.  Numenias  longirostris 

111.  Grus  canadeusis 

112.  Porzana  Carolina  ... 

113.  Porzana  jamaicensisf 

114.  Fulica  ainericana 

115.  Anas  boschas 

116.  Querquedulacyanoptera. 


g 


^ 

^ 


"^ 


.£3    O 

ll 


* 
* 

* 
* 
* 

* 

# 
* 


>.  to 

s  ^ 

^  .31 
teg 


g 


I 


it 


P^ 


41.  Pachas  Canorij  Uintah  Mountains  (July  3-8,  1869). — This  canon  is 
the  valley  of  a  considerable  stream^  flowing  from  the  higher  regions  of  one 
of  the  western  peaks  of  the  Uintah  range  into  the  Weber  River,  via  Kamas 
Prairie.  In  its  upper  portion  both  valley  and  mountains  are  densely  cov- 
ered with  a  coniferous  forest,  while  along  the  banks  of  the  stream  the  exten- 
sive and  vigorous  growth  of  shrubbery  consists  of  many  species.  The  birds 
found  in  this  locality  were,  in  part,  the  following : — 


Tdrdas  migratorius. 
Tardus  swaiusoni. 
Galeoscoptes  carolinensis. 
Cinclns  mexicauus. 
Geothlypis  macgillivrayi. 
DendroBca  mgrescens. 
Helminthophaga  Virginia^. 
Setopbaga  raticilla, 
Pyranga  ludoviciana. 
Ohrysomitris  tristis, 
Ghrysomitris  psaltria. 


Ohrysomitris  pinus, 
Melospiza  fallax, 
Cyanura  macrolopha. 
Picicorvus  coUimbianus. 
Selasphorus  platycercus, 
Antrostomus  nuttalli. 
Chordeiles  henryi. 
Oanace  obscura. 
Zensadnra  carolinensis. 
Tringoides  ttiacularius. 


GENERAL  REMARKS  ON  THE  BASIN  AVIFAUNA.  377 

^2.—Kamas  Prairie,  Utah  (July  9,  1869).— Kamas  Prairie  is  a  grassy 
valley,  lying  between  the  western  spur  of  the  Uintahs  and  the  rolling 
eastern  foot-hills  of  the  Wahsatch.  We  noticed  there  the  ordinary  species 
of  meadow  localities,  with  the  Sidiition  oi  Actiturus  bartramius,  which  seemed 
to  be  quite  common. 

43.  Provo  River,  Utah  (July  10-11,  1869).— We  followed  this  river, 
from  the  valley  in  which  Heber  City  is  situated,  to  Provo,  near  the  shore 
of  Utah  Lake,  through  the  deep  and  picturesque  canon  cleft  between  two 
high  peaks  of  the  Wahsatch  range.  Among  the  dense  and  extensive  willow 
thickets  along  this  river  we  first  found  Turdus  fuscescens  and  Parus  septen- 
trionalis  (the  former  in  great  abundance),  and  the  Magpie  again  numerous. 
The  other  species  noticed  along  this  river  were,  mainly,  the  following: 
Gakoscoptes  caroUnemis  (abundant),  Setophaga  rvticilla  (abundant),  Zence- 
dura  caroUnensis  (abundant),  Dendroeca  cestiva,  Melospiza  fallaXy  Icterus 
btdlockif  etc. 

GENERAL   REMARKS   ON   THE   AVIFAUNA    OF   THE   GREAT   BASIN. 

The  total  number  of  species  of  birds  observed  during  the  exploration 
is  262,  of  which  only  24  were  not  seen  east  of  the  western  slope  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada;  thus  leaving  a  total  of  238  species  noticed  in  the  Great 
Basin,  including  the  approximate  slopes  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Wah- 
satch ranges,  which  form  the  boundary  of  the  district  on  the  west  and 
east.  This  number  includes  both  winter  and  summer  birds,  as  well  as  the 
transient  species,  or  those  which  merely  pass  through  in  the  spring  and  fall ; 
the  latter  were  comparatively  very  few,  however,  since  the  complicated 
topography  of  the  country  afforded  such  a  diversity  of  climate,  with  varia- 
tions of  altitude,  that  extreme  northern  and  southern  species  passed  the 
summer  at  different  elevations  on  the  same  mountain  ranges.  Although  the 
Great  Basin  forms  a  natural  ^/  Province"  of  the  Western  Region,  the  Sierra 
Nevada  and  main  Rocky  Mountain  ranges  forming  its  longitudinal  bounda- 
ries, the  mountains  form  much  less  of  an  actual  barrier  to  the  distribution  of 
the  species  than  might  be  supposed,  as  is  clearly  attested  by  the  occurrence 
of  a  large  proportion  of  the  Californian  species  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the 


378  OENITHOLOGY. 

former,  down  to  the  very  verge  of  the  desert,  and  the  presence  of  so  many- 
eastern  birds  on  the  Wahsatch  and  other  extreme  western  ranges  of  the  latter 
system.  It  is,  therefore,  evident  that  not  the  mountains,  but  the  deserts, 
check  the  species  in  their  range  away  from  their  centers  of  .distribution. 
It  was  also  noticed  that  the  species  having  a  general  range  throughout 
the  Interior  were  those  particularly  characteristic  of,  if  not  peculiar  to, 
the  Basin  Province,  and  that  their  distribution  was  regulated  less  by  mere 
topographical  features  than  by  other  local  conditions,  the  presence  or 
absence  of  water  and  vegetation  being  the  main  agents. 

As  stated  in  the  chapter  on  the  local  avifaunas  of  the  Great  Basin 
(see  pp.  816-328),  certain  groups  of  birds  not  only  characterize  particular 
zones  of  vegetation,  but,  also,  isolated  spots  of  a  particular  description,  no 
matter  at  what  altitude.  An  excellent  example  in  illustration  of  this  case  is 
afforded  by  the  humming-birds  of  the  Interior,  which  are  found  wherever 
flowers  grow  in  profusion,  either  in  the  valleys  or  on  the  mountains;  they 
abound  most  on  the  upper  slopes  of  the  canons,  where  numerous  flowering 
plants  bloom  in  such  abundance  as  to  form  natural  gardens;  but  on  one  day, 
in  August,  we  observed  an  individual  of  Selasphorus  phtycercus  in  the  door- 
yard  of  a  ranche,  in  Ruby  Valley,  the  altitude  of  which  was  between  6,000 
and  7,000  feet,  while  a  few  hours  later,  as  we  stood  on  the  summit  of  one  of 
the  lofty  peaks  of  the  East  Humboldt  range,  at  an  elevation  of  about  12,000 
feet  above  sea-level,  and  far  above  the  fields  of  perpetual  snow,  an  individual 
of  the  same  species  flew  rapidly  by,  bound  for  the  slopes  of  an  adjoining 
cafion.  The  extreme  vertical  range  of  this  species  was  thus  shown  to  be 
nearly  6,000  feet,  or  more  than  one  mile!  In  all  cases  where  farms  had 
been  established  in  the  valleys,  humming-birds  were  noticed  in  the  door- 
yards,  though  had  not  careful  cultivation,  with  the  aid  of  artificial  irrigation, 
produced  these  oases  in  the  desert,  it  is  needless  to  say  these  birds  would  not 
have  been  seen  there.  Other  cases  in  point  are  those  of  the  birds  frequenting 
the  cafion  shrubbery,  which  have  a  vertical  range  almost  equal  to  that  of 
the  humming-birds,  the  same  species  following  the  streams  from  the  valleys 
up  to  the  snow-fields,  provided  the  shrubbery  continues  so  far.  Certain 
birds  which  frequent  woods,  of  whatsoever  kind,  are  almost  sure  to  be 
found  wherever  trees  occur ;  thus  Oolaptes  mexicanm  or  Picm  harrisi  may 


GENERAL  REMARKS  ON  THE  BASIN  AVIFAUNA.  379 

be  observed  the  same  day  among  the  cotton-woods  of  the  lowest  valleys, 
less  than  a  hundred  feet  above  sea-level  (as  in  California),  and  in  the  alpine 
woods,  10,000-12,000  feet  above  the  sea. 

Independent  of  these  local  modifications  of  the  fauna,  as  controlled  by 
conditions  of  environment,  important  changes  were  noticed  in  proceeding 
eastward,  which  are  of  a  truly  geographical  nature.  Thus,  although  the 
character  of  the  country  changed  completely  with  the  termination  of  the 
coniferous  forests  of  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  change  in 
the  fauna  was  by  no  means  so  abrupt.  New  forms  of  course  immediately 
made  their  appearance,  or  even  predominated  in  number  of  species  and 
individuals,  over  those  we  had  met  with  before,  but  still  many  of  the  latter 
were  not  lost  sight  of  completely  until  we  had  penetrated  many  miles  into 
the  desert  country,  but  reappeared  on  the  higher  ranges  of  the  western  depres- 
sion. This  was  particularly  the  case  with  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains, 
where  Lanivireo  cassini,  Pipilo  oregonus,  Melospiza  guttata^  Zonotrichia  coronata^ 
and  Agelceus  gubernator  were  found  in  the  fall,  all  being  birds  of  the  Pacific 
Province;  while  on  the  desert  ranges,  within  sight  of  the  Sien-a,  Oreortyx 
pictus  was  more  or  less  plentiful.  Along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra. 
Nevada,  near  Carson  City,  Oycmocitta  calif  arnica — the  ^'Valley  Jay"  of 
California — -was  found  in  place  of  G.  woodhousiij  which  was  the  only  species 
from  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains  eastward,  and  the  form  characteristic 
of  the  Middle  Province. 

As  we  approached  the  eastern  border  of  the  Basin  we  met  with  spe- 
cies characteristic  of  the  Eastern  Region  or  the  Rocky  Mountain  District 
of  the  Middle  Province,  as  gradually  as  on  the  western  side  we  had  left  the 
Californian  forms  behind;  each  successive  high  range  introducing  a  larger 
number  to  the  list.  But  even  in  this  district,  where  so  many  eastern  forms 
were  met  with,  there  was  still  a  sprinkling  of  the  extreme  western  element, 
which,  however,  seemed  to  have  reached  nearly  to  its  eastern  limit  in  the 
upper  Humboldt  valley  or  the  neighboring  mountains,  where  such  birds  as 
Turdus  guttatuSj  Helminthophaga  lutescenSj  Dendrceca  occidentaliSj  D.  townsendiy 
and  Selasphorus  rufus  were  noticed  as  autumnal  migrants. 

It  seems  to  be  a  general  rule,  that  western  birds  have  a  tendency  to 
extend  eastward  during  their  fall  migrations,  thus  spreading  over  the  whole 


380  ORNITBOLOGY, 

of  the  Western  Region  at  this  season,  though  in  summer  their  habitat  may 
be  confined  strictly  to  the  area  of  Pacific-coast  drainage.  This  circum- 
stance we  have  previously  alluded  to,  in  these  words: — ^ 

"Another  very  remarkable  peculiarity  of  the  Wahsatcb  region,  which  I  wish  par- 
ticularly to  mention  in  this  connection,  is  the  fact  that  in  the  case  of  representative 
species  or  races,  the  Eastern  or  Rocky  Mountain  forms  breed  there,  while  the  more 
Western  forms  replace  them  in  winter.  Thus,  Zonotrichia  leuoopJirys  and  Jmico  hyemalis, 
var.  canicepSy  are  the  only  species  oif  these  two  genera  which  breed  on  the  Wahsatcb, 
and  they  nest  there  very  numerously  5  but  in  the  fall  their  place  is  taken  by  the  western 
Z,  leucophrysy  var.  gamheli  [=^intermedia]  and  J.  hyemalis,  var.  oregonus^  which  are  un- 
known in  summer.  Lanivireo  solitaria,  var.  plumbea^  breeds  there,  while  var.  soUtariay 
coming  from  the  northwestward,  replaces  it  in  autumn.  The  same  is  the  case  with 
Turdus pallasiy  var.  auduboni  (summer  resident),  and  var.  nanus  (autumnal  migrant); 
and  apparently  the  case  also  with  Helminthophaga  virginice  (summer),  and  S.  ruficapilla 
(autumn)."  ^ 

The  eastern  species  occurring  within  the  Basin  were  found  to  have 
reached  their  maximum  in  the  Salt  Lake  Valley  and  adjacent  country  to  the 
eastward,  but,  as  was  the  case  with  the  western  series,  some  of  them  had 
intruded  so  far  within  the  western  domain  as  to  reach  the  opposite  side. 
Thus,  Tyrannies  carolinensis  was  not  rare  during  the  breeding-season  in  the 
lower  Truckee  Valley,  almost  at  the  foot  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  Ectopistes 
migratoria  was  obtained  in  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  although  the 
only  individual  seen  was  a  young  one,  and  evidently  a  straggler.  In  the 
East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Turdus  swainson%  Helminthophaga  ruficapilla^  and 

iProc.  Essex  Inst.,  Vol.  V,  Nov.,  1873,  pp.  170, 171.  ["  Notes  on  the  Bird  Fauna 
of  the  Salt  Lake  Valley  and  the  adjacent  portions  of  the  Wahsatch  Mountains.''] 

2  Other  examples  of  species  which  have  an  extreme  western  or  northwestern 
distribution  during  the  breeding-season,  but  which  migrate  in  fall  both  eastward  and 
southward,  are,  Helminthophaga  lutescem^  Bendrij&ca  occidentalism  D.  townsendij  and  Selas- 
phorns  rufusy  found  as  far  east  as  the  Clover  Mountains,  with  the  addition  of  Lanivireo 
cassinij  Melospiza  guttata^  Pipilo  oregonus,  Zonotrichia  coronata,  and  Agelcem  gubernator^ 
which  in  September  and  October  were  obtained  in  the  West  Humboldt  range.  The 
most  plausible  explanation  of  this  eastward  migration  would  appear  to  be  found  in 
the  supposition  that  nearly,  if  not  all,  these  migrants  were  from  the  Valley  of  the 
Columbia  Eiver,  whose  main  tributary,  the  Snake  Eiver,  heads  almost  directly  north 
of  the  Great  Salt  Lake;  the  birds  of  the  Columbia  basin  would  naturally  follow  the 
valleys  of  these  upper  tributaries  as  the  route  offering  the  least  obstacle  to  their  south- 
ward passage,  many  species  which  do  not  breed  eastward  of  the  lower  Columbia  thus 
regularly  reaching  the  eastern  border,  if  not  the  whole  extent,  of  the  Great  Basin. 
Whether  their  return  northward  is  by  the  same  route,  remains  to  be  determined. 


GENERAL  REMARKS  ON  THE  BASIN  AVIFAUNA.  381 

Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  were  more  or  less  common  in  the  fall.  In  the  Wah- 
satch  district,  including  the  Salt  Lake  Valley,  were  Turdus  fmcescens,  Gak- 
oscoptes  carolinensiSj  Setophaga  ruticilla^  and  Zonotrichia  leucophrys  as  abundant 
summer  residents,  and  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  as  a  summer  straggler; 
while  on  Kamas  Prairie,  between  the  Wahsatch  and  the  Uintahs,  Actiturus 
hartramius  was  common  in  July. 

Another  result  of  our  investigations  was  the  discovery  of  the  fact  that 
several  species,  supposed  to  be  peculiarly  eastern,  are  in  reality  among 
those  which  inhabit  the  entire  breadth  of  the  <3ontinent.  Among  these  were 
Coccyzm  americanus,  which  was  found  both  at  Sacramento,  California,  and 
in  the  Truckee  Valley,  in  June  and  July,  and  Coturniculus  passerinuSy  which 
was  as  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  as  at  any  eastern  locality ; 
also,  Spwella  monticola,  heretofore  supposed  to  be  of  casual  or  accidental 
occurrence  in  the  West,  but  which  was  found  to  be  an  abundant  winter  res- 
ident in  suitable  localities.  There  was  also  seen  at  two  places  in  the  western 
depression — the  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (October)  and  the  Truckee 
Valley  (November) — a  ColapteSj  which  was  probably  the  eastern  C.  auratus, 
though  it  may  possibly  have  been  C.  chrysoides  of  the  Gila  and  Saint  Lucas 
districts,  since  it  is  certain  that  the  individuals  in  question  were  not  the 
form  intermediate  between  C.  auratus  and  0.  mexicanuSj  known  as  C. 
^^  hyhridus!'^^ 

Somewhat  of  an  anomaly  was  noticed  in  the  distribution  of  several 
species  in  the  region  indicated,  in  their  abundance  on  the  two  opposite 

^  In-  addition  to  these  species,  the  following  are  known  to  occur  westward  of  the 
main  divide  of  the  Eocky  Mountains : — 

1.  DendroBca  blackburniai ;  Ogden,  Utah,  Sept. — AUen. 

2.  Dendroeca  coronata ;  Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming. — Baird. 

3.  Seiurus  noveboracensis ;  Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming.— JSatVdf. 

4.  Oistothorus  stellaris ;  Utah  Lake ;  breeding. — Henshaw. 

5.  Vireosylvia  olivacea ;  Ogden,  Utah,  September. — Allen.  ["  More  or  less  common'^] ; 

Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming.-^J5air^. 

6.  Junco  hyemalis;  Iron  Springs,  Utah,  October  4. — Henshaw. 

7.  Melospiza  palustris;  Washington,  Utah,  October  23. — Henshaw, 

8.  Quiscalus  aeneus ;  Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming — Baird. 

9.  Empidonax  minimus  J  Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming. — Baird. 

10.  Kallus  elegans ;  Ogden,  Utah,  September. — Allen. 

11.  Ibis  alba;  Ogden,  Utah,  September. — Allen.    ["  Said  to  be  frequent  in  summer,''] 

12.  Anas  obscura;  Rush  Lake,  Utah,  November. — Yarrow. 


382  ORNITHOLOGY. 

mountain  ranges  and  their  apparent  absence  from  the  entire  intervening 
territory.  Such  was  particularly  conspicuous  regarding  Sialia  mexicana  and 
Lophophanes  inornatus,  which,  if  occurring  at  all  in  the  Basin  proper,  were 
so  raa-e  that  they  were  not  noticed.  An  apparent  explanation  of  this 
exceptional  rnxkge  is  the  general  absence  of  suitable  localities  over  the  greater 
portion  of  this  vast  area ;  but  the  circumstance  that  the  species  named  were 
still  wanting  on  the  Wahsateh  and  Uintahs,  where  the  conditions  of  environ- 
ment are  in  every  way  favorable,  would  seem  to  suggest  other  causes. 
The  partial  or  entire  absence  of  certain  woodland  species  from  the  sufficiently 
extensive  forests  of  the  higher  interior  ranges  was  indeed  a  subject  of  con- 
tinual speculation,  since  they  were  searched  for  in  vain,  after  leaving  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  until  the  Wahsateh  or  Uintah  woodlands  were  reached, 
when  many  of  them  reappeared,  while  others  did  not,  although  they  are 
known  to  occur  in  the  same  latitudes  on  the  main  Rocky  Mountain  ranges. 
Besides  the  species  named  above,  we  may  mention  Scops  flammeola^  Ghm- 
cidium  gnoma^  and  Cohimha  fasciata,  which  are  common  to  the  two  widely- 
separated  districts  named,  but  which  have  not  yet  been  recorded  from  any 
intermediate  locality;  while  other  species,  found  both  on  the  Sierra  Nevada 
and  Wahsateh,  were  found  to  be  either  extremely  rare  or  apparently  not 
existing  at  all  on  any  ranges  between.  These  species  are  the  following: 
Begulus  calendula.  Parus  montanus,  SUta  aculeata,  S.  pygmoeay  Certhia  ameri- 
cana^  and  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus.  All  of  these,  it  may  be  observed,  are  of 
pinicoline  habits. 

It  seems  to  us  that  the  most  reasonable  explanation  of  the  abundance 
of  these  birds  on  the  Sieri'a  Nevada  and  Rocky  Mountains,  and  their  rarity 
in  or  absence  from  the  intervening  region,  is  to  ^be  found  in  the  fact  that 
the  two  great  mountain  systems  named  approximate  closely  along  the 
northern  and  southern  borders  of  the  United  States,  thus  allowing  short 
and  scarcely  interrupted  passage  from  one  to  the  other,  without  being 
obliged  to  cross  the  wide  expanse  of  desert  which  intervenes  along  the  line 
of  our  route. 

The  following  tables  are  intended  to  show  more  briefly  the  changes 
noticed  in  the  bird-fauna  during  our  transit  of  the  Basin,  as  well  as  the 
main  local  peculiarities  noted  by  the  way  : — 


GENERAL  REMARKS  OJT  THE  BASIN  AVIFAUNA.  383 

SPECIES    OF   THE    GREAT   BASIN    NOT   OBSERVED  IN   CAIilPORKIA. 
Species*  Range  within  the  Basin. 

1.  Tardus  auduboni Eastern  side. 

2.  Oreoseoptes  montanus Entirely  across. 

^  Sialia  arctiea Entirely  across. 

4.  Psaltriparos  plumbeus Entirely  across. 

5.  Psaltriparus.melanotis Eastern  side ;  straggler, 

6.  Salpinctes  obsoletus -  • . .  Entirely  across. 

7.  Catherpes  conspersus Entirely  across. 

8.  Helminthophaga  virginiae Eastern  side. 

9.  Lanivireo  plumbeus - Eastern  side. 

10.?  Phseuopepla  nitens -  ...  Western  side. 

11 .  Carpodacus  cassiui . .  v Entirely  across. 

12.  Junco  caniceps Eastern  side. 

13.  Amphispiza  bilineata Entirely  across. 

14.  Amphispiza  nevadensis Entirely  across. 

15.  Melospiza  fallax Entirely  across,  except  western  border. 

16.  Passerella  schistacea Eastern  side,  chiefly. 

17.  Calamospiza  bicolor * Eastern  side ;  straggler. 

18.  Pipilo  megalonyx .* Entirely  across,  except  western  bof der. 

19.  Pipilo  chlorurus Entirely  across. 

20.  Gymnokitta  cyanocephala Western  side. 

21.  Pica  hudsonica — Entirely  across. 

22.  Oyanura  macrolopha Eastern  side. 

23.  Cyanocitta  woodhousii :  . .  Entirely  across. 

24.  Sayornis  say  us Entirely  across. 

25.  Empidonax  obscurus . Entirely  across. 

26.  Empidonax  hammondi Entirely  across. 

27.  Panyptila  saxatilis Eastern  side. 

28.  Selasphorus  platycercus Eastern  side. 

29.  Stellula  calliope Entirely  across. 

30.  Sphyrapicus  nuchalis Entirely  across. 

31.  Sphyrapicijs  thyroideus Entirely  across. 

32.  Colaptes.  hybridus Entirely  across. 

33.  Oolaptes  auratus? Western  side. 

34.  Canace  obscura Entirely  across. 

35.  Bon'asa  umbelloides - .  Entirely  across. 

36.  Pedioecetes  columbianus Entirely  across. 

37.  Centrocercus  urophasianus Entirely  across. 

38.  Falcinellus  guarauna Eastern  side. 

39.  Falcinellus  thalassinus Western  side. 

SPECIES   OF   THE   EASTERN   REGION  FOUND   IN  THE   BASIN. 

1.  Turdus  swainsoni Eastern  side. 

2.  Turdus  fuscescens Eastern  side. 

3.  Galeoscoptes  caroliuensis Eastern  side. 


384  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Species.  Range  mthin  the  Bcmn. 

4.  Helminthophaga  celata Eastern  side. 

5.  Setophaga  ruticilla Eastern  side. 

6.  Lanivireo  solitarius Entirely  across. 

7.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys Eastern  side. 

8.  Dolichonyx  oryzivoras Eastern  side. 

9.  Tyrannas  carolinensis Entirely  across. 

10.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus Eastern  side. 

11.  Ectopistes  migratoria West  Humboldt  Mts.;  straggler. 

12.  Actiturus  bartramius Eastern  side. 

13.  Querquedula  discors Entirely  across. 

LOCALITIES   WHERE   CERTAIN   SPECIES   WERE   FIRST   MET   WITH   IN  JOURNEYING 

EASTWARD. 

Uastern  slope  of  Sierra  N'evada, 

1.  Oreoscoptes  montanus.    July. 

2.  Sialia  arctica.    December- April  25. 

3.  Carpodacus  cassini.    March  21-April  4. 

4.  Salpinctes  obsoletas.    Summer  resident. 

5.  Catherpes  conspersus.    Constant  resident. 

6.  Ampbispiza  nevadensis.    Constant  resident. 

7.  Ampbispiza  bilineata.    Summer  resident. 

8.  Spizella  monticola.    Winter  resident. 

9.  Passerella  megarhyncha.    From  April  25  through  summer. 

10.  Passerella  schistacea.    February  and  March  5  scarce. 

11.  Pipilo  chlorurus.    Summer  resident. 

12.  Scolecophagus  cyanocephalus.    Winter  resident  in  valleys,  breeding  on 

mountains. 

13.  Gymnokitta  cyanocephala.    Constant  resident. 

14.  Pica  hudsonica.    Constant  resident. 

15.  Sayornis  sayus.    Summer  resident. 

16.  Empidonax  obscurus.    Summer  resident. 

17.  Antrostomus  nuttalli.    Summer  resident. 

18.  Ohordeiles  henryi.    Summer  resident. 

19.  Picoides  arcticus.    Winter  resident;  rare. 

20.  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus.    Constant  resident. 

21.  Sphyrapicus  nuchalis.    Casual  (April  4). 

22.  Falco  polyagrus.    Constant  resident. 

23.  Canace  obscura.    Constant  resident. 

24.  Centrocercus  urophasianus. 

Iruokee  Valley  {below  Virginia  Mountains). 

1.  Troglodytes  hyemalis.    Deceoiber. 

2.  Tachycineta  thalassina.    Summer  residejut. 

3.  Tyrannus  carolinensis.    Summer  resident. 


GENERAL  REMARKS  ON  THE  BASIN  AVIFAUNA.  385 

^  4.  Nephcecetes  borealis.    Summer  resident, 

5.  Ohgetura  vauxi.    Summer  resident. 

6.  Selasphorus  rufus.    August;  excessively  abundant. 

7.  Steganopas  wilsoni.    May ;  rare. 

West  Humboldt  Mountains. 

1.  Psaltriparus  plumbeus.    September-October. 

2.  Lanivireo  cassiui.    September  9-25. 

3.  Lanivireo  solitarius.    September. 

4.  Melospiza  guttata.    One  specimen;  Octobers. 

5.  Zonotrichia  coronata.    One  specimen;  October  7. 

6.  Cyanocitta  woodhousii.    September-October. 

7.  Ectopistes  migratoria.    One  specimen;  September  10. 

8.  Colaptes  auratus.  I    One  specimen;  October. 

Soda  Lake,  Carson  Desert 
1. !  Phsenopepla  nitens.    June  27;  rare. 

Toyabe  Mountains  {near  Austin). 

1.  Panyptila  saxatilis.    July  4;  one  specimen. 

Buby  Mountains  {eastern  slope). 

1.  Psaltriparus  melanotis.?    One  specimen;  August  4. 

2.  Dendrceca  nigrescens.    Summer  resident. 

3.  Helminthophaga  virginiae.    Summer  resident. 

4.  Lanivireo  plumbeus.    Summer  resident. 

5.  Loxia  leucoptera.    One  specimen;  August  12. 

6.  Selasphorus  platycercus.    Summer  resident. 
.  7.  Stellula  calliope.    Summer  resident. 

East  Humboldt  Mountains  (eastern  slope). 

1.  Turdus  swainsoni.    September  1-11. 

2.  Dendroeca  townsendi.    September  8-24. 

3.  Dendrceca  occidentalis.    August  29. 

4.  Helminthophaga  ruficapilla.    September  6. 

5.  Empidonax  hammondi.    September  5-8.    [Also  found  on  eastern  slope 

of  the  Sierra  Nevada.] 

Here  were  seen  the  most  eastern  individuals  of  Selasphorus  r^fuSy  a 
pair  having  been  observed,  and  the  male  secured,  September  8. 
Buby  Valley  (west  side^  near  Franklin  Lake). 

1.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus.    August  and  September. 

2.  Falcinellus  guarauna.    August  and  September. 

From  here  northward,  Lept^  cdllotis  was  found  to  be  replaced  by  L. 

campestris. 
26  p  B 


386 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


Upj^er  Humboldt  Valley  {west  of  Glover  Mountains). 

1.  Tardus  guttatus.    September  16. 

2.  Sitta  canadensis.    September  10. 

3.  Ampelis  cedrorum.    September  10. 

4.  Picas  gairdneri.    September  12^17. 
6.  Nisas  fascus.    September  10. 

6.  PedicBcetes  colambianus.    September  16. 

Thousand  Spring  Valley, 
1.  Nyctale  acadica.    September  24;  one  specimen. 
Vicinity  of  Salt  Lake  City  {including  shores  and  islands  of  the  lake.  City  Creek  Carton^  etc.). 

1.  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis.    Common  summer  resident. 

2.  Setophaga  ruticilla.    Common  summer  resident. 

3.  Chrysomitris  psaltria.    Rare  summer  resident. 

4.  Pipilo  megalonyx.    Abundant  summer  resident. 

*  5.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus.    One  specimen,  June. 
6.  -^gialitis  nivosus.    Very  abundant  summer  resident. 

Parley^s  Park  ( Wahsatch  Mountains). 

1.  Junco  caniceps.    Common  summer  resident. 

2.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys.    Common  summer  resident 

3.  Calamospiza  bicolor.    One  specimen,  July  30. 

4.  Cyanura  macrolopha.    Common  resident. 

5.  Bonasa  umbelloides.    Rare  resident. 

Kamas  Prairie. 
1.  Actiturus  bartramius.    July. 

Provo  Canon. 

1.  Tardus  fuscescens.    Very  abundant  summer  resident. 

2.  Parus  septentrionalis.    Summer  resident. 

CATALOGUE   OF   THE   SPECIES   COLLECTED   OB   OBSERVED.^ 


Page. 

TurdidcB. 

•1.  Turdus  migratorius,  L 391 

2.  Turdus  guttatus  (Pall.) 393 

♦3.  Turdus  auduboni,  Baird 394 

♦4.  Turdus.  ustulatus,  IJutt 395 


Page. 
Turdidce —  Continued. 

•5.  Turdus  swainsoni,  Caban 397 

*6.  [Turdus  fuscescens,  Steph.] 398 

♦7.  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (L.).  . . .  399 
*8.  Oreoscopte8montanas( Towns.)-..  399 


^  For  the  sake  of  convenience,  we  adopt  a  strictly  binomial  nomenclature,  even 
in  case  of  forms  which  are  unquestionably  mere  geographical  races.  Species  dis- 
tinguished by  an  asterisk  are  those  which  were  observed  during  the  breeding-season; 
those  in  italics  were  seen  only  in  California,  while  those  not  in  the  collection  are  inclosed 
in  brackets. 


CATALOGUE. 


387 


SaxicolidcB. 

♦9.  Sialia  mexicana,  Swains 402 

*10.  Sialia  arctica,  Swains 403 

Ginclidce, 
*11.  Cinclus  mexicanus,  Swains 406 

8ylviidw. 
*12.  Myiadestes  townsendi  (Aud.).. . .  408 

♦13.  [Polioptila  ccerulea  (L.)  ?] 409 

*14.  Regultts  calendula  (L.) 409 

15.  [Regains  satrapa,  Licht.J 410 

Paridw. 
*16.  Lophophanes  inornatus  (Gamb.).  410 

*17.  Parus  montanus,  Gamb 411 

♦18.  Parus  septentrionalis,  Harris.. . ,  412 

♦19.  [Farus  occidentalism  Baird  ^ 412 

♦20.  [Paalirij^arus  minimus  (Towns.)]..  413 
♦21.  Psaltriparns  plumbeus,  Baird.  ..  413 
22.  [Psaltriparns  melanoti8(Hartl.)  ^.  415 
Sittidw, 

♦23.  Sitta  acnleata,  Cass 415 

♦24.  Sitta  canadensis,  L 416 

♦25.  Sitta  pygmaBa,  Vig 417 

CerthiidcB. 

♦26.  pertbia  americana 418 

TrofflodytidcB, 

♦27.  Salpinctes  obsoletus 418 

♦28.  Catherpes  conspereus,  Ridgw.  . .  420 
♦29.  [Thryomanes  spilurus  (Vig.) J.  ....  422 
♦30.  Troglodytes  parkmanni,  And....  422 

31.  Troglodytes  pacificus,  Baird. 424 

♦32.  Telmatodytea  paludicola,  Baird. .  425 
MotacilUdce, 

33.  Anthus  ludovicianus  (Gm,). 426 

Mniotiltidce. 

34.  Helmiuthophaga    ruficapilla 

(Wils.) 427 

♦35.  Helminthophaga  virginifiB,  Baird.  428 
♦30.  Helminthophaga  celata  (Say), . . .  429 
37.  Helminthophaga     Intescens, 

Ridgw 429 

♦38.  DendrcBca  SBstiva  (Gm.) 431 

39.  [DendroBca  occidentals  (Towns.)J.  432 

40,  DendrcBca  townsendi  (Nutt,).  . . .  432 


♦41. 
♦42. 
♦43. 
♦44. 
♦45. 
♦46. 
47, 
♦48, 


♦49. 
♦50. 
♦51. 
♦52. 
♦53. 
♦54 
♦55. 

56. 
57. 


♦58. 

59. 

60. 
♦61. 
♦62. 

♦64. 

66, 
67. 

♦69. 

70. 
♦71. 
♦72. 
♦73. 
♦74. 

75. 
♦76. 
♦77. 


Page. 

Mniotiltidce — Continued. 

Dendrceca  nigrescens  (Towns.). . .  433 

Dendroeca  auduboni  (Towns.).  . .  433 

Geothly pis  trichas  (L.) 434 

Geothlypis  macgillivrayi  (And.).  435 

Icteria  longicauda,  Lawr. .    436 

Myiodioctes  pusillus  (Wils.) 437 

Myiodioctes  pileolatus  (Pall.) 437 

Setophaga  ruticilla  (L.) 438 

Mirundinidce, 

Progne  subis  (L.) 439 

Petrochelidou  lunifrons  (Say). . . .  440 
Hirundo  horreorum,  Barton —   441 

Tachycineta  bieolor  (Vieill.). 441 

Tachycineta thalassina  (Swains.).  443 

Cotyle  riparia  (L.) 445 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (Aud.)  446 

Amj^elidce, 
Ampelis  cedrorum  (Vieill.)..     ..  446 
f  [Pbsenopepla  nitens  (Swains.)]. . .  447 
Vireonidce. 

Vireosylvia  swainsoni,  Baird 448 

Lanivireo  casaini,  Baird 449 

Lanivireo  solitarius  (Wils.) 450 

Lanivireo  plumbeus,  Coues 451 

Vireo  pusillus^  Coues . ,  451 

LaniidcB, 

Collurio  borealis  (Vieill.) 452 

CoUurio  excubitoroides (Swains.).  453 
TanagridoB. 

Pyranga  ludoviciana  (Wils.) 454 

Fringillidw, 

Loxia  americana  (Wils.) 455 

[Loxia  leucoptera,  Gm.J 456 

Carpodacus  cassini,  Baird 457 

Carpodacus  frontalis  (Say) 458 

[Leucosticte  littoralis,  Baird.] 461 

Chrysomitris  tristis 461 

Chrysomitris  psaltria  (Say) 462 

[Chrysomitris  lawrencii  (Oms.)]. . .  463 

Chrysomitris  pinus  (Wils.).. ...  463 

[Plectrophanes  lapponicus  (L.)] . .  464 

Passerculus  alaudinus,  Bonap...  464 

Pooecetes  conflnis,  Baird. . .   466 


388 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


Page. 

FringillidcB-'  Oont%n'ued. 
♦78.  Coturniculus     perpallidus, 

Ridgw. 467 

♦79.  GhoDdestes  grammaca  (Say).  . .  467 
♦80.  Zonotrichia  leocophrys  (Forst.).  470 
♦81.  ZoDotrichia  intermedia,  Ridgw.  471 

82.  Zonotrichia  coronata  (Pall.) 472 

♦83.  Junco  oregonus  (Towns.). 473 

♦84.  [Junco  caniceps  ( Woodh.)] 474 

♦85.  Ainphispiza  bilineata  (Cass.). . .  475 
*S^u  Amphispiza  nevadensis,  Ridgw.  476 

87.  Spizella  monticola  (Gm.). 478 

♦88.  Spizella  arizonse,  Cones 470 

♦89.  Spizella  breweri,  Cass 480 

♦90.  Melospiza  heermanni,  Baird.. . .  481 

♦91.  Melospiza  fallax,  Baird 482 

92.  Melospiza  guttata  (Natt.),.   ...  482 

♦93.  Melospiza  lincolni  ( Aud.) 484 

♦94.  Passerella  megarbyncha,  Baird.  485 
♦95.  Passerella  schistacea,  Baird.. ..  486 
96.  Calamospiza  bicolor  (Towns.)...  487 
♦97.  Hedymeles   melanocephalns 

(Swains.) ., 488 

♦98.  Ouiraca  ccerulea  (L.).  , 489 

♦99.  Cyanospiza  amoena  (Say) 490 

♦100.  Pipilo  oregonus  ^Bell) ;•. . .  491 

♦10^1.  Pipilo  megalonyx,  Baird. .. .   .,  491 

♦102.  Pipilo  chlorurus  (Towns.) 496 

♦103.  [Pipilo  crismlis  ( Vig.)] 498 

Alaudidw. 
♦104.  Eremophila  alpestris  (Forbt.)..  498 
105.  Eremophila  leucolseraa,  Coues. .  498 
♦106.  Eremophila  chry8olaBma(Wagl.)  499 

IcteridcB, 
107.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  (L.) ....  600 

♦108.  Molotbrus  ater  (Bodd.) .  501 

♦109.  Xanthocephalns  icterocephalus 

(Bonap.)    ;.....  602 

♦110.  AgelsBus  pboBnicens  (L.) ......  503 

♦111.  Agelseus  gubernator  ( Wagl.). . .  504 

•112.  [AgeUms  tricohr  (Nutt)  ] 605 

♦113.  Sturnella  negiecta,  Aud 606 

♦114.  Icterus  bullocki  (Swains.).....  608 
♦115.  Scolecophagus     cyanocephalus 

(Wagl.)....... 610 


♦116. 
♦117. 
♦118. 
♦119. 
^♦120. 
♦121. 
♦122, 
♦123. 
♦124. 
♦125. 

♦126. 
♦127. 
♦128. 
♦129. 
♦130. 
♦131. 
♦132. 
♦133. 
♦134, 
136. 
♦136. 


^37, 


♦138. 
♦139. 
♦140. 
♦141. 
142. 
♦143. 
♦144. 
♦146. 
♦146. 

♦147. 
148. 

♦149. 
160. 
151. 


♦152. 


Pa^e. 

Corvidw. 

Corvus  carnivorus,  Bartr 513 

Corvus  americanus,  Aud 514 

Picicorvus  columbianiis  ( Wils.).  515 
Gymnokittacyanocephala,Max.  617 

Pica  nuttalli^  Aud 619 

Pica  hudsonica  (Sabine) 520 

Cyanura  frontalis,  Ridgw 523 

Cyanura  macrolopha,  Baird. . . .  624 
Cyanocitta  californica  (Vig.). ..  525 
Cyanocitta  woodhousii,  Baird.  .  526 

Tyrannidce. 

Tyrannus  verticalis,  Say 528 

Tyrannus  carolinensis  (L.) 532 

Myiarchus  cinerascens,  Lawr.. .  533 
[Sayornis  nigricans  (Swains.)  ]  .  634 

Sayornis  say  us  (Bonap.) 534 

Contopus  borealis  (Swains.) 635 

Contopus  richardsoni  (Swains.).  637 
Empidonax  pusillus  (Swains.) . .  539 
Empidonax  obscurus  (Swains.) .  541 
Empidonax  hammondi,  Xantus.  543 
Empidonax  difficilis,  Baird 544 

Alcedinidce. 

Ceryle  alcyon  (L.) 545 

Picidce. 

Picas  harrisi,  Aud 545 

Picus  gairdneri,  Aud 546 

[Picus  nuttallij  Gamb.] . .  547 

Picus  albolarvatus  (Cass.) 647 

Picoides  arcticus  (Swains.) 548 

[Sphyrapicus  ruber  (Gm.)  ]  . ,  . .  549 
Sphyrapicus  nnchalis,  Baird...  549 
Sphyrapicus  thyroideus  (Cass.)  -  551 
[Melanerpes     formieivorus 

(Swains.)].. 553 

Melanerpes  torquatus  (Wils.) . .  663 
[Melanerpes  erythrocephalus 

(L.)J 554 

Colaptes  mexicanus,  Swains.. . .  556 

Cplaptes  hybridus,  Baird 556 

[Colaptes  auratus  (L.) !] . .    557 

Cuculidce, 
|Goccyzus  americanus  {L.)J .....  658 


CATALOGUE. 


389 


Page. 

Trochilidce. 

♦153.  Calypte  annce  (Less.) b^S 

*154.  Trochilas  alexandri,  Bourc.   & 

Muls 559 

155.  Selasphorus  rufus  (Gm.) 559 

♦156.  Selaspliorus      platycercus 

(Swains.) 560 

♦157.  Stellula  calliope,  Gould 563 

Cypselidw. 

♦158.  Panyptila  saxatilis  (Woodh.). , .  564 

159.  Nepbcecetes  borealis(Keim.). ..  565 

160.  fOhsetura  vauxi  (Towns.)] 566 

CaprimuJgidce. 

161.  Antrostomus  nuttalli  (Aud.). ..  567 

162.  Chordeiles  henryi,  Cass 568 

Strigidcc. 

163.  Strix  pratincolaj  Boii3>p 569 

164.  Otus  wilsonianus,  Less 570 

165.  Brachyotus  cassiniy  Brewer 571 

166.  8c(^8  asio^  (L.) 571 

107.  Nyctale  acadica  (Gnu) 572 

168.  Bubo  subarcticus,  Hoy 572 

169.  Speotyto  hypogsea  (Bonap.) 573 

Falconidce. 

170.  Falco  nsevius  (Gni.) 575 

171.  Falco  polyagrus,  Cass 577 

172.  Falco  columbarius,  L 578 

♦173.  Falco  sparverius,  L 578 

♦174.  Circus  hudsonius,  L. 580 

175.  Nisus  cooperi  (Bonap.) 581 

176.  Nisus  fuscus  (Gm.) 581 

^177.  [Buteo  elegans,  Cass.] 582 

♦178.  Buteo  calurus,  Cass. 582 

♦179.  Buteo  swainsoni,  Bonap 584 

♦180.  Archibuteo    sancti-johannis 

(Gm.)... 589 

♦181.  [Archibuteo        ferrugineus 

(Licht.)] 690 

♦182.  [Aquila  canadensis  (L.)J 590 

♦183. fflaliaetus  lencocephalus  (L.)]..  592 

♦184.  JEllanus  leucurm  ( Vieill.) 592 

♦185.  [Pandion  carolinensis  (Gm.)]  . . .  593 

Gathartidm, 

♦186.  Rliinogryphus  aura  (L.) 693 


Page. 

Columbidae. 

♦187.  Columba  fasciata,  Say 595 

188.  Ectopistes  migratoria  (L.) 596 

♦189.  Zensedura  carolinensis  (L.) .....  596 

Tetraonidce. 

♦190.  Canace  obscura  (Say) 598 

♦191.  Bonasa  umbelloides  (Dougl.)..  599 
♦192.  PedioBcetes  columbiauus  (Ord.).  599 
♦193.  Centrocercus     uropliasianus 

(Bonap.) 600 

Perdicidce. 
♦194.  Oreortyx  pictus  (Dougl.)  , ....  601 
♦195.  Lophortyx  caUfornictts  (ShsLW.),.  602 
Charadriidce, 

♦196  ^gialitis  vociferus  (L.) 603 

♦197  ^gialitis  nivosus,  Cass. . . .  604 

Phalaropodidce. 
♦198.  [Steganophus  wilsoni  (Sab.)]. ..  604 

Recurvirostridce. 
♦199.  Recurvirostraamericana, Gm...  605 

♦200.  Himantopus  mexicanus 606 

Scohpacidw. 
♦201.  Gallinago  wilsoni  (Temm.). . ...  606 

202.  [Tringa  americana,  Cass.] 607 

203.  Tringa  bairdi,  Coues 608 

204.  Tringa  miuutilla,  Vieill 608 

205.  Ereunetes  pusillus  (L.) 609 

♦206.  Symphemia  semipalmata  (Gm).  609 
♦207.  [Rhyacophilus  solitarius  (Wils.J.  610 

♦208.  Tringoides  macularius  (L.) 610 

♦209.  [Actiturus  bartramius  ( Wils.)]. .  611 
♦210.  Numenius  longirostris,  Wils.. . .  611 

Oruidce. 
♦211.  [Grus  canadensis  (L.)] 611 

Ballidce. 

♦212.  [Rallils  virginianus,  L.] 612 

♦213.  Porzana  Carolina  (L.) 612 

♦214.  [Porzana  jamaicensis  (Gm.)!] . . .  613 

♦215.  Oallinula  galeata  (Licht.) 613 

♦216.  Fulica  americana,  Gm ...   .  614 

Tantalidije, 
♦217. fFalcinellus  guarauna  (Gm.)J...  615 
♦218.  Falcinellus  thalassinus^  Bidgw.  616 


390 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


Page. 

Ardddie. 

•219.  Ardea  herodias,  L 616 

220. [Herodias  egretta  (Gm.)] ...  617 

♦221.  Butorides  virescens  (L.) 617 

•222.  [ Ardetta  exilis  (Gm.)] 618 

•223.  [Nyctiardea  uaevia  (Bodd.)] 618 

•224.  Botaurus  minor  (Gm.) 618 

Anatidce. 

225.  [Cygnus    buccinator,    Bicbard- 

8on!] 619 

226.  Anser  albatus,  Cass 619 

♦227.  Branta  canadensis  (L.) 620 

228.  Branta  hutchinsi  (Richardson).  620 

229.  [Branta  nigricans  (Lawr.)] 621 

♦2^.  Anas  boschas,  L 621 

♦231,  Ghaulelasmus  strepems  (L.) . . .  622 
♦232.  Mareca  americana  (Gm.) 622 

233.  [Dafila  acuta  (L.)J 622 

♦234.  [Nettion  carolmensis  (Gm.)] 623 

♦235.  [Querquedula  discors  (L.)] 623 

♦236.  Querquedula       cyanoptera 

(Vieill.)  623 

237.  Spatula  clypeata  (L.) 624 

238.  f  Aix  sponsa  (L.)] 624 

239.  Aythya  americana  (By ton) 624 

240.  Aythya  vallisneria  (Wils.) 625 

241.  [Fuli3^  marila  (L.)] 625 

242.  [Fulix  afflnis  (By ton)] • .  625 


Page. 
Anatidce — Continued, 

243.  [Fulix  collaris  (Donov.)] 625 

244.  f Bucephala  americana  (Bonap.)] .  626 

245.  Bucephala  albeola  (L.) 626 

♦246.  [Erismatura  rubida  (Wils.)] 626 

247.  [Mergus  americanuv«»,  Oass.] 627 

248.  [Mergus  serrator,  L.] 627 

249.  [Lophody tes  cucullatus  (L.)] 627 

PelecanidcB, 
♦250,  Pelecanuserythrorhynchus,Gm.  627 
Graculidce. 

•251.  Graculus  floridanus  (And.) 635 

Laridce, 

252.  Blasipus  lieermanni  (Oass.) 636 

•253.  Larus  californicus,  Lawr 637 

254.  Larus  delawarensis,  Ord. 638 

255^.  Ohroscocephalus  philade Ip Ma 

(Ord.) 639 

*2m.  [Sterna  regia,  Gamb.] 639 

♦257.  Sterna  forsteri,  Nutt 639 

♦258.  Hydrochelidon  lariformis(L.)..  640 

Podicipidw. 

♦259.  Podiceps  occidentalis,  Lawr. . . .  641 

♦260.  [Podiceps  cristatus  (L.)] 642 

♦261.  Podiceps  californicus,  Heerm . .  642 

♦262.  Podilymbus  podiceps  (L.) 643 


REPORT   PROPER. 

[EMBRACING  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  OTHER  NOTES  ON  THE  SPECIES  0B8ERVED.1 


Family  TURDID^— Thrushes. 


Ti 


'URDUS  MIGRATORIUS/ 
Robin-Thrush;   Americau   Robin. 

Turdm  migratorius,  Linn.,  S.  K,  1, 1766, 292.— Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  218 ;  Oat. 
N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  155;  Rev.  Am.  B.,  1864,  28.— Cooper,  B.  OaL,  1, 1870, 
7._CouES,  Key,  1872,  71,  fig.  13;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  1;  B.  N.W.,  1874,1. 

Turdus  migratorius  var.  migratorius^  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 25,  pi,  ii, 
fig.  3.— Henshaw,  1875, 143. 

The  Common  Robin  was  not  found  at  Sacramento  in  June,  nor  was 
it  seen  anywhere  in  the  Sacramento  Valley  until  we  neared  the  foot-hills  of 

^For  obvious  reasons,  we  have  abstained  from  burdening  this  report  with  numer- 
ous references,  and  have  confined  the  citations  to  the  more  important  general  works, 
including,  of  course,  the  original  description  of  the  species,  and  the  first  authority  for 
the  binomial  combination  as  adopted.  Those  desiring  other  references  are  advised  to 
consult  Dr.  Coues's  "  Birds  of  the  Northwest,^  and  Mr.  Henshaw's  report,  cited  below, 
where  may  be  found  in  the  very  complete  synouymatic  tables  almost  any  reference 
.required.    The  general  works  quoted  in  this  report  are  the  following: — 

(1.)  "Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858."— Vol.  IX,  Pacific  B.  R.  Reports.— Birds:  by  Spencer 
F.  Baird,  Assistant  Secretary  Smithsonian  Institution,  with  the  cooperation  of  John 
Cassin  and  George  N.  Lawrence.    Washington,  D,  C,  1858. 

(2.)  "Baird,  Catal.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859."— Catalogue  of  North  American  Birds, 
chiefly  in  the  Museum  of  the  Smithsonian  [nstitution.  [First  octavo  edition,]  Washing- 
ton :  Smithsonian  Institution  [Smithapnian  Miscellaneous  Collections,  No.  108],  1859. 

(3>)  "  Baird,  Rev.  Am.  B."— Review  of  American  Birds,  in  the  Museum  of  the 
^Smithsonian  Institution.  Part  I.  Washington :  Smithsonian  Institution  [Smithsonian 
Miscellaneous  Collections,  No.  181],  1864-1866.    [Edition  with  indices,  published  1872. J 

(4.)  *'B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B."— History  of  North  American  Birds,  by  S.  F. 
Baird, T. M.  Brewer,  and  R.  Ridgway  [etc.),  3  vols.    Boston :  Little,  Brown  &  Co.,  1874. 

(5.)  "CouBS,  Key." — Key  to  North  American  Birds  [etc.].  By  Elliott  Coues, 
Assistant  Surgeon  United  States  Army.    Salem :  Naturalists'  Agency,  1872. 

(6.)  *^  CouES,  Check  List."— Cheek  List  of  North  Americau  Birds.  By  Dr.  Elliott 
Cones,  tJ.  S.  A.    Salem ;  Naturalists'  Agency,  1874. 

(7.)  "CouES,  B.  N.W." — Birds  of  the  Northwest  [etc.]:    Miscellaneous  Publica- 

301 


392  ORNITHOLOGY. 

the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  the  first  individuals  of  the  species  were  noticed 
aniong  the  scattered  pines  which  formed  the  outposts  of  the  continuous 
forest  of  the  mountains.  From  the  Sien-a  Nevada  eastward,  however,  it 
^was  continually  met  with  in  all  wooded  localities,  the  aspen  groves  of  the 
higher  cailons  being  its  fav.orite  resort  during  the  summer,  while  in  winter 
it  descended  to  the  lower  valleys,  and  passed  the  season  among  the  willows 
or  cotton-woods  and  attendant  shrubbery  along  the  streams.  In  the  vicinity 
of  Carson  City  it  was  extremely  aburidant  from  the  middle  of  March  until 
the  middle  of  April,  and  assembled  in  large  flocks  among  the  scrubby 
thickets  of  dwarf-plum  bushes  along  the  base  of  the  Sierra.  In  August 
they  were  quite  plentiful  in  the  valley  of  the  Truckee,  below  the  "Big  Bend," 
being  attracted  thither  by  the  abundance  of  fruit  of  the  buifalo-berry  bushes 
(Shepherdia  argented)^  which  at  this  time  formed  an  important  portion  of  their 
food ;  and  later  in  the  season  they  were  observed  feeding  on  service-berries 
(the  fruit  of  Amelanchier  canadensis)  along  the  foot-hills  of  the  eastern  ranges. 
In  their  manners  and  notes  we  could  not  detect  the  minutest  difference 
between  the  western  and  eastern  Robins,  although  climatic  or  other 
geographical  influences  have  perceptibly  modified  their  plumage.^  In  all 
respects  it  seems  the  same  bird,  the  song  and  other  notes  being  identical. 

tions,  No.  3,  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  of  the  Territories,  P.  V.  Hay  ilea,  U.  8.  Geologist- 
incbarge.    Washington:  Government  Priuting  Office,  1874. 

(8.)  "Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  [."—[Reports  Geological  Survey  of  California.  J.  D. 
Wbitney,  State  Geologist.]  Ornithology.  Vol.  I.  Land  Birds.  Edited  by  S.  F.  Baird, 
from  the  manuscript  and  notes  of  J.  G.  Cooper.  Published  by  authority  of  the  Legis- 
lature.   Cambridge:  [Printed  by  Welch,  Bigelow  &  Co.,]  1870. 

(9.)  \^  Henshaw,  1875.'^ — Report  upon  Geographical  and  G;eological  Explorations 
and  Surveys  west  of  the  One  Hundredth  Meridian,  in  charge  of  First  Lieut.  Geo.  M. 
Wheeler,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  Army  [et<?.].  Chapter  III,  Vol.  V.— Zoology. 
Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1875. 

[Note. — In  the  History  of  North  American  Birds,  Birds  of  the  Northwest^  and 
other  recent  publications,  occasional  reference  is  made  to  a  "  Zoology  of  the  40th- 
Parallel  [in  pre8s],^Vor  **  Rep.  40th  Parallel  [in  press].''  It  is  to  be  understood  that 
these  citations  do  iwt  apply  to  the  present  report,  but  to  the  original  one,  stereotyped 
in  1,870,  but  suppressed  on  account  of  unavoidable  delay  in  its  publication.  In  its 
present  form  the  report  is  substantially  the  same,  but  the  changes  necessary  to  bring 
it  up  to  date  render  the  citations  of  pages  and  names  frequently  inapplicable.] 

^  The  western  birds  of  this  species  may  be  distinguished  as  a  geographical  race, 
for  which  the  name  Turdm  migratorius  propinquusj  Ridgway,  is  proposed.  Bee[Bulle' 
tin  of  the  Nvttall  Ornitliologiml  C/t*&,  Vol.  II,  January,  1877,  p.  0.] 


TURDUS  QUTTATUS.  393 

List  of  specimens^ 

226,  S  ad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  I^evada,  October  4^,  J867. 
10§— 16— 5/g — 1^\ — j7^ — 1| — 4J — If.  Bill,  brownish-black,  more  yellowish-brown  along 
commissure,  and  on  lower  mandible ;  iris,  brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  brownish-black. 

269,  S  ad.;  Truckee  meadows,  Nevada,  November  8.  11 — 1^ — 5^ — 4^ — g — 1 J 
— 4§— IJ.  Upper  mandible,  dilute  yellowish  horncolor;  tip  and  culmen,  blackish; 
lower,  more  yellowish;  gonys  and  tip,  black;  iris,  brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

358,  9  ad.;  Truckee  Valley,  December  16.  10f—15J— 5^—4^—1— 1^ — 4^—2. 
Same  remarks. 

359,  S  ad.;  same  date  and  locality.  *  10|— 16^—5^  dj  H  1^— 4^-^2.  Bill, 
nearly  uniform  blackish;  yellowish  on  upper  edge  of  lower  mandible;  iris,  brown; 
interior  of  mouth,  deep  yellow-orange;  tarsi  and  toes,  intense  black. 

803,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Truckee  Valley,  June  6,  1868.    Nest  in  cotton  wood  tree. 

820,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Toyabe  Mountains,  7,500  feet  altitude,  July  3,  1868.. 
Nest  in  a  copse  along  stream,  about  six  feet  from  ground,  in  choke-cherry  bush. 

851,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Camp  19,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  22,  Nest  on 
pinon  tree,  about  fifteen  feet  from  ground.    (8,000  feet  altitude.) 

1265,  1266,  1267,  1268,  nest  and  eggs;  1269,  single  egg;  Parley^s  Park  (Wah^ 
satch  Mountains),  Utah,  June  23, 1869.    Nests  in  cotton-woods  along  a  stream. 

1287,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  25.    Bushes  along  stream. 

1301,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  27.    Nest  in  aspen. 

1338,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  28.     Willows  along  stream. 

1367,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Uintah  Mountains  (Pack's  Canon),  Utah,  July  3,  1869. 
Nests  in  thorn-apple  bushes  along  stream. 

1368,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  same  locality  and  date. 
1395,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Parley's  Park,  July,  1&69. 

TURDUS  GUTTATUS. 
Hermit  Thmsli. 

a.  guttatm — Dwarf  Hermil  Thrush. 

Mmcicapa  guttata,  Pall.,  Zoog.  Rosso- As.,  1, 1811,  465.  [Juv.] 

Turdus  nanvs^  Axjd.,  Qrn.  Biog.,  V,  1839, 201,  pi.  cci  (doubtful  whether  this  form!). 

Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  213;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  150;  Review, 

1864,    .—Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  4. 
Turdus  pallasi  var.  nanus,  CouES,  Key,  1872,  72;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  4  b.— B. 

B.  &R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  20,  pi.  i,  fig.  7. 
Turdus  pallasi.  b.  nanusy  OoUES,  B.  Northwest,  1874,  p.  3.— Henshaw,  1875, 146. 

But  one  individual  of  the  Dwarf  Thrush  was  met  with,  this  one  being 
secured.     It  is  pi'obably  more  or  less  common,  however,  during  the  migra- 

^In  the  enumeration  of  specimens  certain  figures  require  explanation.  The  first 
number  denotes  the  current  number  of  the  specimen  as  registered  in  the  Field  Cat- 
alogue.   The  measurements  are  as  follows,  in  regular  sequence:  (I),  length;  (2),  ex- 


394  ORNITHOLOGY. 

tions,  particularly  in  the  fall,  in  all  suitable  localities  embraced  within  the 
country  traversed  by  the  expedition.  The  specimen  in  question  was  obtained 
on  Trout  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Humboldt  River,  and  when  observed 
was  perched  on  a  low  twig  in  a  willow  copse,  silently  watching  us  as  we 
reclined  on  the  grassy  bank  of  the  brook.  It  uttered  no  note  whatever, 
and  exhibited  no  fear  at  our  presence. 

List  of  spedmem* 

928,  9  ad;  Trout  Creek,  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  Nevada,  September  16, 1868. 
%^ — 10|| — 2||.  Bill,  black;  basal  half  of  the  lower  mandible,  lilaceous- white;  inte- 
rior of  the  mouth,  rich  yellow;  iris,  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  purplish-brown — 
the  toes  darkest,  the  tarsi  paler  along  their  posterior  edge. 

^.  audvboni — Bocky  Mountain  Hermit  Thrmh;  Audtfbon^s  Hermit  Thrmh. 

Merula  silens,  SWAINS.,  Phil.  Mag.,  1, 1827, 369  (not  Turdus  silenSyYmiLL,  1823  = 
T.  fuscescens),  Turdus  silens^  Baibb,  B.  K.  Am.,  1858,  213,  922;  Gat  IS. 
Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  149a. 

Turdus  auduboniy  Baibd,  Bev.  Am.  Birds,  1864, 16. 

Turdus  pallasi  var.  auduboni,  OOUES,  Key,  1872,  72;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  4a. 
— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I.,  1874,  21,  pi.  I,  fig.  8— Henshaw,  1875, 144. 

Turdus  pallasi.  b.  auduboni^  CoUBS,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  3. 

The  large  Mountain  Thrush  was  first  met  with  in  the  Wahsatch  range, 
where  it  inhabited  chiefly  the  deep  ravines  of  the  pine  region.  The  first 
specimen  seen  was  shot  May  26,  in  City  Creek  Cafion,  near  Salt  Lake 
City;  but  this  was  probably  a  mere  straggler  from  the  higher  portions  of 
the  mountains.  In  its  manner  of  flight,  which  is  gliding  and  noiseless,  this 
Thrush  greatly  resembles  Townsend's  Solitaire  {Myiadestes  townsendi),  the 
resemblance  being  increased  by  the  pale  ochraceous  band  across  the  base 
of  the  remiges,  which  shows  as  a  very  conspicuous  feature  on  both  birds 
when  flying.     The  haunts  of  this  bird  were  so  difficult  of  access  from  our 

pause  of  iving9  when  fully  stretched ;  (3),  leugth  of  wing  from  tip  of  the  longest  primary 
to  the  carpal  joint;  (4),  the  same  measurement  to  the  metacarpophalangeal  articula- 
tion; (5),  length  of  the  culmen  (not  including  the  cere,  and  if  the  bill  is  curved,  the 
choi*d,  and  not  the  arc,  of  the  curve);  i[6),  length  of  the  tarsus  in  front ^  (7),  length 
of  the  tail  to  the  batte  of  the  coccyx ;  (8),  length  of  the  tail  to  the  tip  of  the  longest 
upper  coverts.  If  a  measurement  is  wanting,  its  place  is  supplied  by  an  interrogation 
pointy  the  or  Am'  being  invariably  the  same.  All  measurements,  and  notes  on  color  of 
e^es,  etc.,  are  from  fresh  specimens,  before  skinning. 


TURDUS  U8TULATUS.  395 

camp,  and  its  manners  so  reserved,  that  we  could  not  learn  much  regarding 
its  habits,  nor  did  we  hear  its  song.  The  latter,  however,  is  probably  little 
different  from  that  of  the  eastern  bird,  T.  guttatus  pallasi. 

List  of  specimens. 

1051,  S  ad.;  City  Creek  Oanou  (near  Salt  Lake  City),  Wahsatch  Mountains, 
Utah,  May  26,  1869.  7|— 123.  Bill,  black ;  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  dull  yellow ; 
iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  brown, 

1487,  2  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  August  5, 1869.  7^—12^.  Bill,  black,  the  lower 
mandible  purplish  basally;  interior  and  angle  of  the  mouth,  yellow;  iris,  dark  brown; 
tarsi  and  toes,  lilaceous- white;  claws,  brown. 

1488,  S  juv.;  same  locality  and  date.    7| — 13.    Same  remarks. 

1489,  ^  juv.;  same  locality  and  date.    7f— 12J.    Same  remarks. 

1498,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  August  10.  7^—12.  Bill,  black ;  basal  half  of 
lower  mandible,  whitish;  interior  of  mouth,  deep  yellow;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes, 
very  pale  brownish  flesh-color. 

1499,  i  juv.;  7f— 12|.    1500,  <f  juv.;   7— 12f .    Same  date  and  remarks. 


TURDFS  USTULATUS. 
Olive-backed  Thrash* 

or.  ustulatus — Oregon  Thricsh;  Bttsset-backed  Thrush. 

lurdus  ustulatus^  Nutt.,  Man.,  I,  1840,  400  (*<ce«<tt?afte«").— Baied,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  215,  pi.  81,  fig.  1 ;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  152 ;  Rev.  Am.  B.,  1864, 18.— 
Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  4  (part). 

Turdus  swainsont  var.  ustulatus,  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  73 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 
5  b.— B.  B.  &  R,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  pi.  i,  fig.  2. 

Turdus  swainsoni.  c.  u>stulatus^  OoUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  4. 

Turdus  nanus,  Coopeb,  Orn,  Cal.,  I,  4  (part). 

The  Russet-backed  or  Oregon  Thrush,  which  we  consider  a  mere 
geographical  form  of  the  same  species  as  Swainson's  Thrush,  or  at  most  a 
very  closely  related  species,  was  first  met  with  in  the  pine-region  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  on  the  western  slope  of  that  range,  af  an  altitude  of  about 
4,000  or  5,000  feet  above  the  Sacramento  Valley.  It  inhabited  there  the 
deep  ravines,  where  the  undergrowth  was  extremely  dense  and  overtopped 
by  a  thick  growth  of  gigantic  Coniferae,  extending  in  a  vast  unbroken  forest 
for  hundreds  of  miles  over  the  mountains  to  the  North  and  South.    Eastward 


396  OENITHOLOGY. 

of  that  range  it  was  met  with  but  once,  a  single  individual  having  been 
obtained,  on  the  second  of  June,  in  the  Truckee  Valley,  not  far  from  the 
eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  individual  in  question  being  no 
doubt  a  last  lingering  one,  since  no  others  were  observed  after  that  date, 
all  having  departed  for  the  mountains  to  the  westward.  The  species  is 
known  to  migrate  in  winter  southward*  along  the  Pacific  slope  as  far  as 
Costa  Rica,  but  its  summer-home  is  chiefly  among  the  forest-clad  mount- 
ains and  wooded  valleys  from  California  to  British  Columbia  and  Sitka. 

The  song  of  this  Thrush  much  resembles  that  of  the  T.  swainsoni^  but  is 
different  in  some  important  respects,  conspicuous  among  which  is  its  finer 
quality.  Its  modulation  is  quite  correctly  expressed  by  Mr.  Nuttall  [Manual 
of  the  Ornithology  of  the  United  States  and  Canada^  I,  1840,  p.  401],  who 
describes  it  as  resembling  the  syllables  ^^  wit-wit,  t^villia-fvillia^^'  but  to 
convey  to  the  reader  even  the  slightest  idea  of  its  tone  and  effect  would 
be  the  vainest  endeavor.  We  heard  the  enchanting  songs  of  these  birds 
under  circumstances  calculated  to  make  a  lasting  impression.  It  was 
in  the  midst  of  the  dense  and  lofty  forests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  about 
half  way  up  the  western  slope,  that  we  rested  for  the  Sabbath  from  our 
journey  across  the  mountains.  Hemmed  in  and  overshadowed  by  giant 
forest  trees,  we  halted,  with  rippling  and  sparkling  brooks  from  the  snow- 
fields  far  above  dashing  through  the  ferns  and  varied  herbage,  the  roadside 
bedecked  with  the  gay  and  lovely  flowers  .so  characteristic  of  Califomian 
glades,  while  below  yawned  the  depths  of  a  dark  ra^jine,  through  which 
dashed  and  roared  a  mountain  torrent.  In  the  tall  pines,  overhead,  skulked 
the  noisy  Jays  and  Nutcrackers  {Oyanura  frontalis  and  Picicorvus  columbi- 
anus),  mingling  their  discordant  notes  with  the  twittering  of  the  wood- 
peckers, who  sported  about  the  branches  of  the  dead  trees.  But  certain 
outbursts  of  rarest  inelody,  heard  at  intervals  from  the  dark  recesses  of  the 
deep  ravine,  drew  the  attention  of  every  one  in  camp;  notes  of  exceeding 
simplicity,  yet  full  of^tenderest  expression  and  thrilling  effect,  far  finer  than 
the  softest  and  sweetest  notes  of  the  flute.  These  haimonious  carols  would 
be  taken  up  first  by  one,  then  by  another,  musician,  then  answered  from  a 
distant  portion  of  the  dell.  It  was  long  before  the  author  of  these  wild 
melodies  could  be  se^)  but  patient  search  revealed  a  little  brown  bird, 


TURDUS  SWAINSONI.  397 

afterward  determined  to  be  this  species,  shyly  flitting  into  the  gloomy 
maze  of  foliage  at  our  approach. 

List  of  specimens. 

779,  9  (M?.;  Truckee  Reservation,  Nevada,  June  2, 1868.  7|— 12— 3J,  Bill,  black, 
basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  pale  brownish-lilac;  iris,  sepia;  tarsi,  dilute  lilaceous- 
brown ;  toes,  darker. 

jS,  swainsoni — SwainsofUs  Thrush;  Olive-hacked  Thrvsh 

Turdus  swainsoni,  Cabanis,  Tschudi's  Fauna  Peruana,  18M-'46,  188.— Baird,  B. 
N.  Am.,  1858,  216,-  Cat.  N.  Am.  B,,  No.  153 ;  Rev.  Am.  B.,  1864, 19.— Coopeb, 
Orn.  Cal.,  6.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  72 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  5.— B.  B.  &  R, 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  14,  pi.  i,  fig.  4.— Henshaw,  1875,  147. 

Turdus  swainsoni.  a.  swainsoni^  CouES,  B.N.W.,  1874,  4. 

After  leaving  the  Sierra  Nevada,  not  a  single  individual  of  any  species 
of  the  smaller  Thrushes  was  met  with  until  we  arrived  at  the  East  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  in  eastern  Nevada,  where  the  Olive-backed  Thrush  was 
encountered,  in  considerable  numbers,  in  the  eastern  cations  of  that  range. 
It  was  during  the  season  of  their  southward  migration,  and  it  is  uncertain 
whether  they  came  from  the  northward,  or  whether  they  had  bred  in  the 
cafions  where  they  were  observed.  During  the  ensuing  spring  and  summer 
they  were  found  in  still  greater  abundance  among  the  Wahsatch  Mount- 
ains, on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Salt  Lake  Basin,  in  the  thickets  bordering 
the  canon  streams,  particularly  in  the  elevated  ^^ parks,''  thus  occupying  a 
region  intermediate  between  that  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Hermit  Thrush 
(jT.  auduhoni)  of  the  pine-region,  and  that  of  the  Tawny  Thrush  (T.  fusees- 
cens)  of  the  lower  valleys. 

The  song  of  this  species  is  simple  and  brief,  but  very  sweet,  though 
less  so  than  tliat  of  either  T.  fuscescens  or  T.  ustulatus. 

lAst  of  specimens, 

886,  $  ad.;  Bast  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  1,  1868.  74—12^ 
— 3f .  Bill,  black,  the  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  pale  lilaceous-brown ;  interior  of 
mouth,  rich  yellow;  iris,  dark^rown;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  lilaceous-brown,  with  a 
slight  plumbeous  cast — the  tarsi  whitish  on  the  posterior  edge. 

918,  $  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  11.  7J — llj — 3^^^.  Same  re^ 
marks  as  to  preceding. 

1262,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park  (Wahsatch  Moubtains),  Utah  Territory, 
June  23, 1869.    Nest  on  bush  near  stream ;  female  shot  on  nest. 


398  ORNITHOLOGY. 

1271,  9  ad,  H — llf.  Bill,  black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  lilaceous;  interior 
of  mouth,  deep  yellow;  iris,  brown;  tarsi,  pale  brown;  toes,  darker. 

1296,  1297,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  1298,  nest;  1299,  single  egg ;  Parley's  Park,  June 
27.    Nests  in  willows  along  the  stream. 

1302,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park,  June  27.  Nest  in  clump  of  willows  near 
stream. 

1339,  nest  and  1  egg]  Parley's  Park,  June  27.  Nest  in  willows.  (Contained  also 
three  young.) 

1404,  nest;  Cash  Valley,  Utah,  July,  1869.    [J.  C.  Olmstead,] 


TURDUa  FUSOESCENS. 
TwKWmf  Vluriisti$  Wilson's  Tlirush. 

Turdtis  fuscescensj  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  X,  1^17, 182^— Baibd,  B.  N.Am., 
1858, 214;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  15l.-~00UES,  Key,  1872,  73^  Check  List, 
1873,  No.  6;  B.  N.  W.,  1874,  5.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  9,  pi.  r, 
fig.  5.— Henshaw,  1875,  148. 

The  Tawny  Thrush,  although  essentially  an  eastern  species,  was 
found  to  be  more  or  less  common  in  the  Wahsatch  district  of  Utah,  where  it 
inhabited  only  the  vicinity  of  the  streams  in  the  lower  valleys.  It  was 
extremely  abundant  along  the  Provo  River,  especially  just  above  the 
dehouche  of  that  stream  through  its  picturesque  canon  between  two  lofty 
snow-clad  peaks  of  the  main  range  of  the  Wahsatch  Mountains;  and  it  was 
also  seen  in  the  valleys  of  the  Bear  and  Weber  Rivers,  farther  northward. 
In  all  these  localities  it  frequented  the  dense  willow-thickets  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  rivers,  where  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  discover,  and  next 
to  impossible  to  secure  specimens  after  they  were  shot. 

We  never  tired  of  listening  to  the  thrilling  songs  of  these  birds,  for 
they  were  tiiily  inspiring  through  their  exceeding  sweetness  and  beautiful 
expression.  The  modulation  of  their  notes  was  somewhat  similar  to  that 
expressed  by  the  syllables  ta-wed-ah,  ta-we^l-ah,  twiV-ah,  twiV-ah^  the  latter 
portion  subdued  in  tone,  thus  seeming  like  an  echo  of  the  first.  In  the 
valley  of  the  Provo  it  was  not  unusual  to  hear  a  dozen  or  more  of  these 
exquisite  songsters  uniting  in  their  rivalry,  the  most  favorable  time  being 
the  afternoon  and  evening.  Considerable  resemblance  in  tone  to  the  song 
of  the  T,  ustulatm  was  noted,  but  it  was  observed  that  the  modulation  was 
distinctl}^  different. 


GALEOSCOPTE8  CAB0LINBNSI9— ORBOSOOPTES  MONTANUS,    399 

.  Galeosooptes  CAEOLIFENSIS. 

Cat-bird. 

Mtisdcapa  carolinensis,  Linn,  8.  N.,  1, 1766,  328, 

Mimus  carolinensis,  Baibd,  B.  K,  Am.,  1858, 346;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  254.— 

OooPEE,  Orn,  Cal.,  I,  23.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  74  j  Check  List,  1873,  No.  9; 

B.  KW.,  1874,  8. 

Oaleoscoptescarolinensis,  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  1, 1850, 82.— Baird,  Review,  1864, 
54;  B.  B.  &  R.,  I,  1874,  52,  pi.  ill,  fig.  5.— Henshaw,  1875, 152. 

Like  many  species  considered  to  be  characteristically  eastern,  the  Cat- 
bird is  likewise  one  of  the  most  abundant  summer  residents  of  the  Wahsatch 
region.  Indeed,  we  found  it  not  uncommon  on  the  large  islands  in  the  Great 
Salt  Lake,  specimens  being  shot  in  an  orchard  on  Antelope  Island  in  the 
month  of  June,  while  another  was  obtained,  during  the  same  month,  on 
Stansbury  Island,  where  few  other  birds  were  found.  Among  the  mountains 
it  was  more  abundant,  its  favorite  haunts  being  the  shady  thickets  along 
the  streams  which  descend  the  canons  or  course  across  the  meadow-like 
"parks."  It  was  thus  an  associate  of  the  Olive-backed  Thrush  and  the 
Redstart  {Setophaga  ruticilla)^  but  while  it  did  not  ascend  to  as  high  an  alti- 
tude as  the  former,  we  found  the  latter  with  it  only  in  the  lower  portions  of 
its  range.  No  differences  from  the  eastern  birds  of  the  same  species  were 
detected,  in  either  manners  or  notes. 

List  of  specimens. 

1105,  5  ad.;  Autelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  June  4,  1869.  (Too  badly 
mutilated  for  measurement.) 

1163, 9  ad.;  Stansbury  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  12.  8f — 11.  Bill  and  feet, 
black ;  iris,  brown. 

1263, 1264,  nests ;  Parley^s  Park  (Wahsatch  Mountains),  Utah,  June  23.  Nest  in 
willows  along  stream. 

1323,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  June  28.    Nest  in  willows. 

1384,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Provo  Eiver,  Utah,  July  10, 1869.    Nest  in  willow-thicket. 

Oreosooptes  MONTANUS. 

Hage  Thrasher;   Mountain  Mocking-bird. 

Orpheus  montanus,  Townsend,  Journ.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.,  Philad.,  1837, 192. 

Oreoscoptes  montanus^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  347;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  255; 
Review,  1864, 42.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal,  12.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  74 ;  Check  List, 
1873,  No.  7;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  7.— B.  B.  &  R.,  I,  1874,  32,  pi.  m,  fig.  6.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875, 149. 

Before  beginning  our  account  of  this  interesting  species,  we  pause  to 


400  ORNITHOLOGY. 

protest  against  the  name  "Mountain  Mocking-Bird,"  the  appellation  usually 
given  it  in  books.  This  name  is  objectionable  from  the  fact  that  it  is  doubly 
a  misnomer,  and  therefore  likely  to  convey  an  entifely  erroneous  idea  of  its 
distribution  and  song.  A  more  appropriate  term  would  be  that  of  "Sage 
Thrasher,"  which  is  descriptive  of  both  its  habitat,  and  its  relationship  to  the 
better-known  species  of  the  sub-family  to  which  it  belongs. 

The  Sage  Thrasher  is  a  widely-distributed  species,  since  it  occurs, 
throughout  that  extensive  portion  of  the  West  where  the  "everlasting  sage- 
brush" forms  the  prevailing  growth.  -  It  seems  to  be  strictly  governed 
in  its  range  by  the  growth  of  these  plants,  and  is  consequently  chiefly 
an  inhabitant  of  the  valleys  and  mesas,  rarely  extending  farther  up  the 
mountains  than  the  foot-hills,  to  the  commencement  of  the  juniper  or 
mahogany  woods.  It  is  a  migratory  species,  arriving  from  the  South,  in 
the  latitude  of  Carson  City,  about  the  20th  of  March,  and  departing  .in 
October  or  November.  Its  presence  has  been  noted  at  but  few  Mexican 
localities,  but  it  winters  in  such  great  numbers  along  our  southern  border 
that  its  abundance  in  northern  and  central  Mexico  at  this  season  may  be 
taken  for  granted. 

At  Carson  City,  very  favorable  opportunity  was  afforded  for  observing 
the  habits  of  this  interesting  species  during  the  breeding-season.  The  males 
began  singing  about  the  24th  of  March,  or  immediately  after  their  arrival, 
but  their  notes  were  then  subdued,  while  their  manners  were  reserved  in 
the  extreme.  They  soon  became  numerous  in  the  sage-brush  around  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  and  were  often  seen  perched  upon  the  summit  of  a 
bush,  turning  the  head  from  side  to  side  in  a  watchful  manner,  even  while 
singing;  when  approached,  disappearing  by  diving  into  the  bush;  and,  after 
a  long  circuitous  flight  near  the  ground,  reappearing  some  distance  in  the 
rear  of  the  pursuer.  This  peculiar,  concealed  flight  we  found  to  be  a 
constant  habit  of  the  species.  As  the  pairing-season  approached,  ivith  the 
advance  of  spring,  the  songs  of  the  males  became  greatly  improved,  both 
in  strength  and  quality;  their  manners  also  became  changed,  for  they  had 
lost  their  former  shyness.  About  the  10th  of  April,  the  males  were  engaged 
in  eager  rivalry,  each  vying  with  the  other  as  he  sang  his  sweetest  notes, 
his  wings  being  at  intervals  raised  vertically  so  as  to  almost  touch  over  the 


OREOSCOPTE8  MONTANUS.  401 

back,  and  quivering  with  the  ecstacy  that  agitated  the  singer.  The  first  eggs 
were  laid  about  the  20th  of  April,  the  nests  having  been  commen^ced  a  week 
or  more  earlier;  and  by  this  time  the  males  had  become  perfectly  silent,  their 
main  occupation  being  that  of  sentinel  on  guard  for  the  approach  of  an 
intruder.  In  fact,  we  know  of  no  oscine  bird  so  completely  mute  as  the 
present  ene  during  the  period  of  incubation,  and  throughout  the  summer  and 
fall,  at  which  time  one  unacquainted  with  their  habits  earlier  in  the  season 
might  think  they  had  no  voice.  Even  when  a  nest  is  disturbed,  the  parent 
birds  do  not  protest,  but  merely  run  anxiously  about  the  meddler,  in  the  • 
manner  of  a  Robin,  now  and  then  halting,  and  with  outstretched  necks 
closely  observing  his  actions.  When  the  young  are  hatched,  however, 
they  become  more  solicitous,  and  signify  their  concern  by  a  low  chuck. 

The  song  of  this  bird  possesses  no  remarkable  attributes,  but  it  is 
extremely  pleasing  when  heard  under  favorable  circumstances.  It  is  most 
deficient  in  power  and  energy,  being  comparable  to  the  subdued,  subtile 
warbling  of  the  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet  (Regulus  calendula)  rather  than  to  the 
vigorous  songs  of  the  Brown  Thrasher  {Sarporhynchus  rufus)  or  Mocking- 
bird (Mimus  polyglottus),  its  nearer  kindred.  It  is  not,  however,  lacking 
in  sweetness  or  variety,  while  at  times  it  is  characterized  by  considerable 
vivacity. 

List  of  specimens, 

144,  S  ad.;  Cainp  17,  Valley  of  the  Humboldt  Eiver  (Oreana),  August  31,  1867. 
9 — 12 J — 4 — 3^j^ — |i — 1 J — 3^—2.  Bill,  black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  pale  pinkish- 
gray,  with  a  faint  yellowish  tinge;  rictus  and  interior  of  mouth,  deep  yellow;  iris, 
gamboge-yellow;  tarsi,  grayish  olive-green;  toes,  darker,  their  soles  deep  yellow. 

145,  6  jm;  Camp  17,  Aug.  31,  1867.  9-12^— 3f^34— ^— 1J—3t-%--(?).  Bill, 
black;  basal  half  of  the  lower  mandible,  yellowish-ash,  with  a  lilac  cast;  interior^  and 
angle  of  the  mouthy  greenish  or  ashy  yellow  ;  iris,  lemon-yellow ;  tarsi,  dark  greenish  horn- 
yellow,  deepest  greenish  along  the  posterior  edge ;  toes,  nearly  black,  their  soles  yellow; 
claws,  black. 

152  9  juv.;  (same  locality  and  date).  8f— 12^— 4— 3j\— f|— lf-3^— (?).  Bill, 
dull  black;  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  pinkish  ashy -white;  interior  and  angle  of 
the  mouth,  yellow;  iris,  greenish-yellow ;  tarsi,  dark  yellowish  horngreen;  toes,  darker, 
their  soles  yellow. 

451,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  24,  1868.  9—12^—4^^—31.  Bill,  black, 
becoming  pinkish  ashy-brown  on  basal  half  of  lower  mandible;  interior  of  the  mouth 
(except  corneous  portions),  lilaceous  flesh-color ;  iris,  chrome-yellow;  tarsi,  yellowish- 
olive,  with  a  tinge  of  sepia-brown;  toes,  blackish  sepia,  straw-yellow  beneath. 

452  ^  ad.;  8}|— 12^— 4^3^. 
26  p  R. 


402  ORNITHOLOGY. 

453,  ^  ad,;  8J — 12f— 4y^^ — Sy^g.    Same  remarks,  etc. 
517,  eggs  (4);  Carson  City,  April  24.    Kest  in  brush-heap,  in  cemetery. 
b\^^  eggs  (5);  Carson  City,  April  24.    Nest  in  sage-bush,  about  18  inches  from 
ground. 

519,  eggs  (4) ;  Carson  City,  April  24.    Nest  on  ground  beneath  sage-bush. 

520,  %gg»  (3) ;  Carson  City,  April  24.  Nest  in  sage-bush,  about  two  feet  from 
ground. 

521,  eggs  (3) ;  Carson  City,  April  24. 

554,  555,  nest  and  eggs  (5)  5  Carson  City,  April  28.  Nests  in  brush-heaps,  in 
cemetery. 

821,  eggs  (3) ;  Austin,  Nevada,  July  3,  1868.  Nest  in  small  bush  of  SympJiori- 
carpus  montanuSj  about  two  feet  from  ground. 

1123.  1124;  single  eggs,  from  nests  containing  young.  Antelope  Island,  Great 
Salt  Lake,  June  7,  1869. 

1125,  nest ;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  7, 1869.  Nest  in  sage-bush, 
situated  as  usual. 

1135,  nest  aad  eggs  (3);  Antelope  Island,  June  8. 

1153,  nest;  Antelope  Island,  June  8.    Nest  in  sage-bush. 

1158,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  *^  Rabbit  Island  ^'  (near  Stansbury  Island),  Great  Salt 
Lake,  June  11.    Nest  in  grease- wood  bush,  near  shore. 


Family  SAXICOLID^— Stone-Chats. 

SlALIA  MEXICANA. 

California  Blue-bird. 

Sialia  mexicana,  Swains.,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  I^  1831,  202. — Baird,  B*  N.  Am.,  1858, 
223;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  159;  Review,  1864,  63.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 
28.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  76;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  17,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  14.— 
B.  B.  &  II.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  65,  pi.  v,  fig.  2.— HBNS^AW,  1875,  161. 

The  Western  Blue-bird  is  known  to  have  a  range  nearly  co-extensive 
with  the  limits  of  the  Western  Region,  it  being  abundant  throughout 
the  main  ranges  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  north  to  Colorado,  and  also  in 
the  same  parallels  of  latitude,  or  even  farther  northward,  *  on  the  Pacific 
coast  Yet  we  lost  sight  of  this  species  entirely  after  we  left  the  eastern 
water-shed  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  never  saw  nor  heard  of  it  in  the  Wah- 
satch  or  Uintah  Mountains,  notwithstanding  the  latter  country  appeared 
equally  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  the  species.  The  last  individuals 
seen,  as,  we  journeyed  eastward,  were  a  few  families  of  young  birds,  with 
their  parents,  in  the  wooded  valley  of  the  Truckee  River,  near  the  Big 


8IALIA  AECTIOA.  403 

Bend.  Although  these  birds  appeared  to  have  been  bred  at  that  locality, 
and  though  we  saw  an  equally  small  number  in  the  similar  valley  of  the 
Carson  Eiver  in  the  breeding-season,  the  center  of  abundance  of  the  species, 
so  far  as  the  Interior  is  concerned,  seemed  to  be  the  pine-region  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  where  they  were  observed  in  summer  from  the  lower  limit 
of  these  forests  up  to  an  altitude  of  more  than  6,000  feet,  or  near  the  summit 
of  Donner  Lake  Pass,  where  these  Blue-birds,  the  Robin,  the  Oregon  Snow- 
bird, and  the  Western  White-crowned  Sparrow  (Zonotrichia  intermedia)  were 
the  characteristic  or  dominant  species. 

This  beautiful  Blue-bird  seemed  to  be  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the 
eastern  species  (S,  sialis)  in  its  habits,  while  it  resembled  it  closely  in 
appearance;  but  we  listened  in  vain  for  that  lovely  warbling  which  so 
justly  renders  the  latter  bird  a  universal  favorite  ;  neither  did  we  hear  it 
utter  any  note  comparable  to  the  plaintive  call  of  the  eastern  bird,  so  often 
heard  in  autumn.  This  lack  of  sweetness  of  voice  is,  however,  somewhat 
compensated  by  its  superior  beauty  of  plumage,  for  the  richness  of  its 
coloring  is  decidedly  superior  to  that  of  its  eastern  representative. 

List  of  speeimens. 

413,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  l^evada,  February  21,  1868.  7— 13— 4^— 3}A.  Bill, 
tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black  ;  interior  of  mouth,  chrome-yellow ;  iris,  bister. 

414,  S  ad,;  same  locality  and  date.     7J — 13J^ — 4J — 3f,    Same  remarks. 

428,  ^  ad.;  San  Francisco,  California-,  H.  G.  Parker.  ("Oaks.^0  "7— 13— (?) 
— 3|."    Same  remarks. 

469,  3  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  28.    6| — 12^— 4-^%— 3^»^.    Same  remarks. 

SlALIA  AECTIOA. 

Rocky   Mountain   Blue-bird. 

Sialia  arctiea^  Swains.,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  209,  pi.  39. — Bated,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  224;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  I6O5  Keview,  1864,  64.— B.  B.  &  R., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  67,  pi.  v,  fig.  4.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  29  — Coues, 
Key,  1872,  76;  Check  List,  1873,  ^o.  18;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  14.— Henshaw, 
1875,  162. 

This  is  the  characteristic  Blue-bird  of  the  Interior,  and  it  is  most  numer- 
ous where  the  other  species  is  rarest.  Its  favorite  haunts  are  the  higher  por- 
tions of  the  desert  ranges  of  the  Great  Basin,  where  there  is  little  water,  and 
no  timber  other  than  the  usual  scant  groves  of  stunted  cedars,  piiion,  or 


404  ORNITHOLOGY. 

mountain  mahogany.  In  these  elevated  regions  it  is  abundant  during 
summer,  and  even  remains  in  winter,  except  when  violent  storms  or  severe 
cold  drive  it  to  the  more  clement  valleys,  where  it  may  be  seen,  either 
singly  or  in  considerable  but  scattered  flocks,  whenever  a  snow-storm 
prevails  on  the  mountains.  At  such  times  we  have  seen  both  this  species 
and  the  other  one  (5.  mexieana)  together  in  the  fields  around  Carson 
City,  and  remarked  the  striking  difference  in  their  manners;  the  S.  mexi- 
eana being  often  observed  perched  upon  a  fence-post  or  a  willow-bush, 
descending  to  the  ground  only  to  pick  up  some  insect,  and  immediately 
returning  to  its  post  of  observation,  while  the  individuals  of  S,  arctiea  were 
usually  seen  flitting  restlessly  over  the  ground,  now  and  then,  but  rarely, 
an  individual  alighting  for  a  moment  on  some  prominent  object,  as  a  fence- 
post  or  telegraph-wire.  The  visits  of  this  species  to  the  lower  valleys  are 
only  occasional,  however,  for  as  soon  as  a  storm  in  the  upper  regions 
subsides,  they  return  to  their  own  haunts;  and  when  spring  has  fairly  set 
in  they  are  seen  no  more,  while  the  "Valley  Blue-bird ''  remains  during  the 
summer.  In  June,  the  "Mountain  Blue-bird"  was  observed  to  be  common 
in  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  where  it  nested  in  the  manner  of  the  Eastern 
species,  in  suitable  places  about  buildings  in  the  town,  the  old  mills  and 
-abandoned  shafts  of  the  mines  being  its  favorite  haunts,  which  it  shared 
with  the  House  Finch  (Carpodacus  frontalis)  and  the  Rock  Wren  (Salpinctes 
dbsoletus).  But  while  it  thus  commended  itself  to  the  hospitality  of  the 
people  by  its  familiarity,  it  was  never  heard  to  utter  any  note  except  a 
weak  chirp,  when  startled  from  its  perch.  It  was  also  common  under  similar 
circumstances  at  Austin,  in  the  Toyabe  Mountains,  while  on  the  higher 
portions  of  the  West  Humboldt,  Ruby,  and  East  Humboldt  Mountains  it 
was  still  more  abundant  On  the  Ruby  Mountains  it  was  found  in  July 
and  August  only  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  timber-belt,  or  at  an  altitude 
of  9,000  to  11,000  feet,  where  it  nested  both  among  the  rocks  and  in  the 
deserted  holes  of  woodpeckers  among  the  stunted  pines,  cedar,  or  mahogany 
trees.  In  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains  it  was  observed  that  they  seldom 
if  ever  alighted  on  the  bushes  in  the  bottom  of  the  cafion,  although  they 
constantly  frequented  the  adobe  houses  of  the  deserted  town  near  by. 

This  species  is  usually  much  more  shy  than  either  the  eastern  Blue- 


SIALIA  AEOTICA.  405 

bird  or  its  western  representative,  being  at  all  times,  according  to  our  expe- 
rience, a  rather  diflficult  bird  to  procure.  In  the  fall,  they  rove  about  in 
restless  companies  over  the  barren  slopes,  scattering  among  the  low  cedars, 
only  the  straggling  or  lingering  individuals  permitting  a  near  approach. 
Their  manners  during  the  winter  season  are  most  interesting  to  witness,  for 
they  seem  to  enjoy  the  playing  of  the  snow-flakes,  as  they  hover  in  the  air 
over  some  object  on  the  ground  which  attracts  their  attention;  then,  after 
alighting  to  examine  it  more  closely,  they  flit  off  to  a  tall  weed-stalk, 
never  thinking,  apparently,  to  enter  the  cosy  copses  where  the  Snow- 
birds have  taken  refuge. 

A  subject  of  interesting  and  profitable  speculation  is  the  influence  of 
spreading  civilization  upon  the  habits  of  animals  in  their  native  haunts. 
In  all  well-settled  districts,  the  Purple  Martins,  the  Barn  Swallows,  and 
the  Chimney  Swifts  have  forsaken  the  hollow  trees  and  caves  as  nesting- 
places,  and  availed  themselves  of  the  superior  accommodations  and  pro- 
tection afforded  by  civilized  man  and  his  surroundings,  with  a  readiness 
that  is  indeed  remarkable.  The  Blue-birds  and  certain  Wrens,  even  in 
the  most  recently-settled  sections  of  the  country,  are  gradually,  but 
rapidly,  making  the  same  revolution  in  their  habits,  and  so  are  many  others 
of  our  native  birds,  too  numerous  to  mention;  and  every  one  knows  how 
the  Cliff  Swallows  have  abajidoned  the  precipices  of  mountainous  districts 
and  overspread  the  entire  country,  even  to  places  remote  hundreds  of  miles 
from  the  original  haunts  of  the  species,  when  they  discovered  how  well 
suited  for  their  nests  were  the  eaves  of  barns  and  churches.  The  present 
species  is  one  of  this  class  whose  habits  are  undergoing  such  modification, 
for  although  it  is  naturally  a  bird  of  the  high  mountains,  we  noticed  that 
at  Salt  Lake  City  they  were  quite  numerous,  although,  were  the  locality 
unreclaimed  from  its  primitive  state,  they  would  not  have  been  found  there 
except  during  their  vertical  migrations,  influenced  by  changes  in  the  climate. 
Even  on  Antelope  Island,  in  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  a  few  pairs  were  seen 
about  the  buildings  of  the  ranche. 

List  of  specimens. 

228,  i  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  October  4,  1867.  7fi— 14— 5— 
4^_j— j|— 3J— 1t^.  Bill, deep  black;  interior  of  mouth,  light  naples-yellowj  iris, 
hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 


406  OBNITHOLOGY. 

229,  (?  ad,;  same  locality  and  date.  7/^ — 13j — 4^ — 4— i— |f— 3— IJ.  Interior 
of  moutb,  delicate  light  greenish-yellow. 

243,  2  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  8.  7^\— 13/^— 4| — 3|— J— f— 
2f| — 1\,    Same  remarks. 

244,  9  ad.;  same  date.     7— 12f— 4y\— 3}|— J— f— 2}f-l.lJ.    Same  remarks. 

375,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Bottom,  December  21.  7^— ISf— 4|— 3}f .  Iris,  vandyke- 
brown. 

376,  S  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    7j^g— 13^4| — 3|f .    Same  remarks. 

399,  S  ad.;  Steamboat  Valley,  Nevada,  January  4,  1868.  7— 13f — 4|— 3|f .  Same 
remarks. 

416,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  5.    7J— 13§— 4j|— 3ff . 

467,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  28.    7^ — 13^.    Same  remarks. 

468,  9  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    7J — 13^.    Same  remarks. 

533,  <T  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  Nevada,  April  25.    7|— 14.    Same  remarks. 

862,  <?  juv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  August  6,  1868. 

1103,  9  juv.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4,  1869. 

1108,  i  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  5,  1869.  7^— 13|.  Bill, 
tarsi,  and  toes,  pure  black;  iris,  brown  ;  interior  of  mouth,  rich  yellow. 

150S,i  juv.;  7J-~13i.  1509,  <J>t?.;  7J— 13^.  1510,  9  juv.;  7—13.  1511,  9  juv.; 
7j_13j.    Parley's  Park  (Wahsatch  Mountains),  Utah,  August  14,  1869. 

Family  CINCLID J]— Water  Ouzels. 

CiNCLUS  MEXICANUS. 
I>ipper;  Water  Ouzel* 

Cinelus  mexicanus^  Swains.,  Phil.  Mag.,  I,  1827,  368.— Baird,  Review  Am.  B,, 
1864,  60.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1874,  I,  55,  pi.  v,  fig.  1.— Cooper, 
Orn.  Cal.,  25.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  775  Check  List,  1873,  No.  10,-  B.  N.W., 
1874,  10.— HenshaW,  1875,  159. 

Eydrobata  mexicana^  Baird,  B.  N,  Am.,  1858,  229 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 
164. 

This  remarkable  bird,  so  characteristic  an  element  of  the  western 
avifauna,  was  found  in  all  localities  where  the  summer  rains  or  melting 
snows  on  the  mountains  were  suJBficieht  to  supply  the  cations  with  rushing 
streams.  It  was  noticed  to  be  abundant  only  where  the  torrents  were 
impetuous  and  the  country  generally  forest-clad,  and  was  therefore  most 
frequently  seen  on  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  among  the  western  ranges  of 
the  Rocky  Mountain  system,  as  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintahs,  being  rarely 
observed  in  the  intermediate  area  of  the  Great  Basin,  although  it  was 
encountered  at  intervals  on  the  higher  of  the  intervening  ranges.  The 
habits  and  manners  of  this  bird  are  most  strikingly  peculiar,  it  being  one  of 


m 
CINCLU8  MEXICANUS.  407 

the  very  few  Passeres  which  are  strictly  aquatic.  Its  movements  while 
walking  in  the  shallow  water,  or  as  it  stands  upon  a  rock  in  the  bed  of  a 
stream,  remind  one  very  much  of  the  *' Teeters"  or  ^"^Tilt-ups"  (Tringoides 
and  Rhyacophilus),  for,  whether  moving  or  stationary,  its  body  tilts  up  and 
down  with  an  incessant  motion.  It  is  more  often  observed,  however,  flying 
rapidly  along  a  stream,  with  a  buzzing  flight,  following  with  the  greatest 
ease  the  tortuous  windings  of  its  course  without  in  the  least  checking  its 
speed ;  or  dashing  swiftly  through  the  spray  or  foam  of  a  water-fall.  Its 
flight  is  usually  accompanied  by  a  sharp  chattering,  especially  when  one  is 
chased  by  another,  as  is  often  the  case  during  the  breeding-season ;  and 
when  they  alight  they  descend  by  a  sudden  drop,  much  after  the  manner 
of  the  ^^ Gutter  Snipes"  (Gallinago).  Nor  are  their  movements  confined  to 
the  surface  of  the  water  or  its  neighborhood,  for  they  have  been  observed  to 
dive  into  the  aqueous  element  and  perform  various  and  dextrous  evolutions 
in  its  depths,  as  they  pursue  their  insect-food,  propelling  themselves  by 
the  rapid  beating  of  ^he  wings,  in  the  well-known  manner  of  Grrebes  and 
other  water-fowl. 

We  heard  the  song  of  this  bird  on  but  one  occasion,  in  October,  at 
Unionville,  Nevada.  It  was  a  pleasing  warble,  but  not  sufficiently  dis- 
tinctive, at  least  on  that  occasion,  to  admit  of  particular  description. 

List  of  specimens, 

230,  $  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mouotaias,  IS'evada,  October  4, 1867.  7^— llj— -3}^— 
2]^— i— i — Hf — f-  Upper  mandible,  born  color,  darker  terminally;  lower,  paler,  dull 
light  yellowish  basally;  iris,  burnt-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  clear,  glossy,  livid  white, 
with  a  sepia  tinge  between  the  scutell96  and  on  joints  of  toes. 

231,  2  ad,;  (mate  of  preceding).  7|—llJ—33—2|—y%— 1—2^^—4.   Same  remarks. 
248,  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  11.    7ji— 11^— 3}|— 3f--§— 1— 2 

— |.    Same  remarks. 

300,  9  ad.;  Truckee  River  (east  of  Sierra),  November  19.  7^11|— 3f— 2|i— j-|— 
H — ^ — h  ^ili»  plumbeous-black;  extreme  basal  portion  of  lower  mandible,  and  small 
space  on  apper  below  nostril,  brownish-white;  iris,  bright  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  clear, 
bright,  lilaceous- white;  divisions  of  scutellse,  and  sides  of  toes,  abruptly,  sepia. 

324,  ad.;  325,  ad.;  near  source  of  American  River,  California,  November.  [H.  G. 
Parker.] 

1378,  S  juv.;  Pack's  Canon,  Uintah  Mountains,  Utah,  July  7,  1869.  7f— 124. 
Upper  mandible,  and  tip  of  lower,  dark  plumbeous ;  lower  msimVMey  salmon-orangey 
this  color  tinging  the  upper  at  the  base,  and  along  commissure;  iris,  grayish-brown ; 
tarsi  and  toes,  whitish-lilaceous ;  urfder  side  of  toes,  dusky,  the  pellets  yellow. 


408  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Family  SYLVIIDiE— True  Warblers. 
Myiadestbs  townsendl 

Townsend's  Ptilogonys* 

Ptiliogonys  totcnsendi,  Audubon,  Orn.,  Biog.,  V,  1839,  206,  pi.  419,  fig.  2. 
Myiadestes  townsendiy  Cabanis,  Weigm.  Archiv,  I,  1847,  208. — Baird,  Birds  K 

Am.,  1858,  321;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  235  5  Review,  1866, 429.— Cooper, 

Om.  CaL,  134.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  117,  fig.  57  j  Check  List,  1873,  No.  121; 

Birds  N.W.,  1874,  93.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist  N.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1874,  409,  pi. 

XVIII,  figs.  5,  6.— Henshaw,  1875,  231. 

We  first  met  with  this  curious  species  on  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  in  a  dense  pine  forest,  at  an  altitude  of  about  5,000  feet.  The 
first  individual  seen  was  one  which  had  a  nest  near  by,  as  was  apparent 
from  its  anxious  manner,  for  as  we  walked  along  the  embankment  of  a 
mining-sluice  it  flitted  before  us,  now  and  then  alighting  upon  the  ground, 
and,  with  drooping  and  quivering  wings,  running  gracefully,  in  the  manner 
of  a  Robin,  then  flying  up  to  a  low  branch,  and,  after  facing  about,  repeat- 
ing the  same  maneuvers — evidently  trying  to  entice  i>e  away  from  the  spot. 
So  much  were  its  actions  like  those  of  various  Thrushes  under  similar 
circumstances  that  not  once  did  we  suspect  the  species,  although  perfectly 
familiar  with  it  in  museums,  but  immediately  concluded  that  a  new  species 
of  Thrush  had  been  found.  Indeed,  many  times  afterward,  when  an  indi- 
vidual would  be  seen  to  glide  noiselessly  before  us,  in  the  characteristic 
manner  of  the  Thrushes,  displaying  the  ochraceous  mark  across  the  wing, 
was  the  same  illusion  entertained.  Patient  watching  and  a  careful  search 
finally  revealed  the  nest,  which  was  built  in  the  upper  bank  of  the  sluice, 
a  foot  or  two  above  the  water,  and  in  a  recess  of  the  rocks.  The  nest  was 
bulky  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  being  nearly  as  large  as  that  oi  Harporhynchus 
rufus^  which  it  nearly  resembled,  and  was  composed  externally  of  coarse 
sticks,  laid  in  a  mass  upon  the  floor  of  the  cave.  It  contained  four  half- 
fledged  young,  and  was  consequently  left  undisturbed. 

The  species  was  afterward  seen,  at  various  times,  among  the  cedar 
groves  of  the  interior  ranges,  but  it  was  nowhere  common.  It  appeared  to 
feed  largely  on  the  berries  of  the  Juniperus  occidentalism  smd  lived  mostly 
among  these  trees,  where,  as  observed,  it  combined  the  manners  of  the 
Thrushes  and  Blue-birds.    Its  song  was  not  heard,  or  else  it  was  confounded 


POLIOPTILA  C^EULEA— REGULUS  CALENDULA.  409 

with  that  of  Turdus  mtulatus^  dozens  of  which  were  ginging  at  the  first 

locality  mentioned  above. 

lAst  of  specimens, 

^11 J  $  ad,}  Virginia  Mountains,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  December  21, 1867.  9 — 
13 J — 4^— 4— f— 3 — 4^ — 2f.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  dark  brown. 

POLIOPTILA  O^EULEAJ 
Blue-g^ray  Onatcatcher. 

Motadlla  cceruleay  Linn.,  S.  N.,  1, 1766,  43. 

Polioptila  ccerulea,  Solatee,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1856, 11.— Baibd,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858, 380;  Oat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  282 ;  Review,  1864,  74.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist. 
N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  78,  pi.  VI,  fig.  5.— CooPEB,  Orn.  Oal.,  35.— OouES,  Key, 
1872,  78;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  23;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  17.— Henshaw,  1875, 166. 

In  the  chaparral  of  the  western  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  we 
observed,  in  July,  a  species  of  this  genus,  in  considerable  plenty.  To  all 
appearance  it  was  the  same  species  as  that  found  in  the  East,  but  as  no 
specimens  were  obtained  we  cannot  be  positive  that  the  individuals  in 
question  were  not  P.  plumbea.  They  were  certainly  not  P,  melanura,  which 
would  have  been  recognized  by  its  black  crown. 

Regulus  calendula. 

Ruby-crowned  Kin§:let« 

Motadlla  calendula^  Linn.,  S.  N.,  I,  1766,  337. 

Eegulus  calendula,  Licht.,  Verzeichn.,  1823,  No.  408.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 
226 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  161 ;  Review,  1864,  66.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N. 
Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  75,  pi.  v,  fig.  9.— CooPEB,  Orn.  Cal.,  33.— COUES,  Key,  1872, 
78;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  21 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  15.-HenshAW,  1875,  164. 

While  the  Golden-crowned  Kinglet  was  extremely  rare,  the  Ruby- 
crown  was  directly  the  opposite,  for  it  was  a  common  winter  resident  in  all 
the  lower  valleys,  while  in  early  spring  it  became  abundant  to  such  an  extent 
as  to  exceed  all  other  birds  in  numbers.  During  the  coldest  portion  of  the 
winter  they  dwelt  among  the  willows  along  the  river-banks,  where  the  dense 
cover  afforded  them  a  suitable  shelter  from  the  cold  winds,  and  a  cosy  retreat 
at  night.  As  spring  advanced,  they  spread  themselves  over  the  foot-hills 
and  up  the  ravines  of  the  mountains,  gradually  working  upward,  until  the 
commencement  of  the  summer  found  them  in  the  pine -forests,  where  they 
remained  during  the  season,  again  descending  to  the  valleys  when  the  cold 


410  ORNITHOLOGY. 

weather  began.  At  Carson  City  they  were  most  numerous  in  April,  and  at 
that  time  the  thickets  along  the  foot-hills  were  literally  alive  with  these 
restless,  sprightly  little  creatures,  who  hopped  briskly  among  the  budding 
branches,  nervously  twitching  their  wings  in  their  characteristic  manner, 
the  males  now  and  then  warbling  their  low,  soft  song,  so  liquid  and 
indescribably  sweet,  at  the  same  time  displaying  the  red  patch  ordinarily 
concealed  beneath  the  overlying  feathers  of  the  crown. 

List  of  specimens. 

225,  9  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  October  3, 1867.  4J— 63~2|-- 
1||. — I — I — 1|— 1^^.  Bill,  horn-black;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  brownish  yellow, 
the  latter,  deep  yellow  beneath.    [No  red  on  the  croton.] 

371,  (f  ad.;  Truckee  Bottom,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  December  25.  4^ — 7 — 2^^^ — 1^  | — 
nr — i — ^S — ^*  ^^^^»  ^^^P  Wack  ;  iris,  very  dark  brown;  tarsi,  brownish-black;  toes, 
deep  brownish-yellow,  purer  yellow  beneath. 

Regulus  SATEAPA. 

Crolden-cronmed  Kingrlet. 

Regulus  satrajpa^  Light.,  Verzeichn.,  1823,  No.  410.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  227 ; 
Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  162 ;  Beview,  1864,  65.— B.  B.  &  R,  I,  1874,  73,  pi. 
V,  fig.  8.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  32.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  78,  fig.  19;  Check  List, 
1873,  No.  22 ;  B.  N. W.,  1874, 16. 

This  sprightly  little  bird,  so  comnion  in  our  eastern  groves  and 
orchards  in  early  spring  and  in  the  autumn,  and,  except  the  Hummers, 
the  most  diminutive  of  all  our  species,  was  very  rarely  observed  by  us  in 
the  Great  Basin.  A  very  few  individuals,  however,  were  noticed  in  the 
caflons  of  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  among  the  thick  bushes  ailong  the 
streams.     It  is  probably  nowhere  a  common  bird  in  the  Interior. 

Family  P ARID JE — Titmice  or  Chickadees. 

LOPHOPHANES  INORNATUS. 
Oray  Titmouse. 

Parus  inornatus,  GAjycBEL,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1845,  265. 

Lophophanes  inornatus,  Cassin,  111.  B.  Cal.,  Tex.,  etc.,  1853,  19.— Baird,  B.  N. 
Am.,  1858,  386;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  287  ;  Beview,  1864,  78,— B,  B.  &  R., 
1, 1874,  20,  pi.  VI,  fig.  3.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  42.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  80,  fig. 
22;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  2S;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  20.— Henshaw,  1875,  107. 

In  the  pine  forests  of  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  especially 


PARUS  MONTANU8.  411 

in  their  lower  portion,  and  among  the  cedar  and  pinon  groves  on  the  desert 
ranges  immediately  adjacent  to  the  eastward,  the  Gray  Titmouse  was  a 
rather  common  species;  but  it  did  not  §eem  to  be  abundant  anywhere. 
Its  manners  and  notes  were  quite  the  same  as  those  of  the  eastern 
species  (L.  bicolor),  but  weaker  and  less  varied,  though  still  retaining  the 
vehement  character  of  utterance  apparently  common  to  all  the  birds  of  this 
genus. 

JList  of  specimens, 

272,  9  ad.;  cedars  of  Pea-vine  Mountains,  near  the  Sierra  I^evada,  November  14, 
1867.  6— 8|— 3— 2^— i|~fi— 2y»^— 1^3^.  Bill,  plumbeous,  deepening  into  horn-black 
terminally  J  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeousash. 


Paeus  MOKTANFS. 

mountain  Cliickadee. 

Parus  montanus^  Gambel,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  I,  1843,  259.— Baird,  B.  N. 
Am.,  1858,  394 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  294 ;  Eeview,  1864,  82.— B.  B.  &  K, 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  95,  pi.  vii,  fig.  5.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  46.— Coues, 
Key,  1872,  81  j  Check  List,  1873,  No.  32  j  B.  N.W.,  1874,  22.— Henshaw, 
1875,  169. 

The  distribution  of  this  species  seems  to  be  governed  entirely  by  that 
of  the  coniferous  woods ;  consequently,  we  found  it  in  all  pine  forests,  as 
well  as  the  more  extensive  of  the  pinon  and  cedar  woods  on  the  interior 
ranges.  It  was  much  less  numerous  on  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mount- 
ains than  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  however,  as  indeed  were  nearly  all  species 
of  pinicoline  habits.  This  species  is  quite  a  counterpart  of  the  Carolina 
Chickadee  (P.  carolinensis)  in  manners  and  notes,  although  it  differs  so  much 
in  size  and  maz'kings ;  and  we  consider  it  as  much  more  closely  allied  to 
that  species  than  to  the  common  Black-cap  {F.  atricapillus).  In  its  notes  we 
could  discover  no  difference  from  those  of  P.  carolinensis  beyond  the  notice- 
able fact  that  the  ordinary  ones  were  louder  and  more  emphatically  enunci- 
ated, while  the  spring  song,  so  pleasing  in  P.  carolinensis^  and  sounding 
like  a  clear,  fife-like  whistling  of  the  syllables  tsip^adee^  tsip*adee,  tsip'^adee, 
was  appreciably  more  feeble  and  less  musical. 


412  OBNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  specimen. 

333,  S  ad.;  5|«8§-^2|-2i-|_g-2|-lJ.  334,  9  ad.;  5f--8|-2H--2i— /^-l 
-^2^— IJ.  335,  i  ad.;  6^— 8f — 2^— 2^-^— ;[^2J— If.  Oarson  City,  Nevada,  No- 
vember 27,  1867.  Bill,  plumbeous-black ;  iris,  deep  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  plumbeous. 

450,  i  ad.;  Oarson  City,  March  21, 1868.  5yV-8|— 3— 2J.  Bill,  black ;  iris,  burnt- 
sienna;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeousblack. 

Paeus  ATEIOAPILLUS- 
Black-capped  Chickadee. 

/?.  septentrionalis — Long-tailed  Chickadee. 

Parus  septentrionalisj  Habeis,  Pr.  Ac.  l^at.  Sci.  Philad.,  1845,  300.— Baird,  B. 

K  Am.,  1858,  389;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  289;  Eeview,  1864,  79. 
Parvs  atricapillus  var.  septentrionalis,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872, 

174.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  81;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  31a;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  21. 

— B.  B.  &  E.,  1, 1874,  99,  pi.  vii,  fig  2.— Henshaw,  1875,  170. 
Parus  septentrionalis  var.  albescens,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  p.  xxxvii;  Cat.  N. 

Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  289a, 

y.  occidentalis — Western  Chickadee. 

Parus  occidentalis,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  391;  Cat.  N,  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  291; 

Eeview,  1864,  81.— Elliot,  Illustr.  Am.  B.,  I,  pi.  viil— Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  45. 
Parus  atricapillus  var.  occidentaliSj  COUES,  Key,  1872,  81 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No, 

31c.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  101,  pL  vii,  fig.  3. 

The  common  Black-capped  Chickadee  was  apparently  wanting  in  all 
portions  of  the  western  depression  of  the  Great  Basin,  and  even  on  the 
eastern  side  it  was  so  extremely  rare  that  none  were  seen  except  in  the 
valley  of  the  Provo  River,  where  but  a  few  families,  with  their  full-grown 
young,  were  met  with.  They  kept  in  the  willow  thickets,  and  seemed  very 
gregarious,  in  marked  contrast  to  the  Mountain  Chickadee  (P.  montanus) 
and  that  eastern  species,  the  Southern  Black-cap,  or  Carolina  Chickadee 
{P.  carolinensis).  Their  notes  were  also  very  different,  the  usual  utter- 
ances being  a  sort  of  twittering,  resembling  but  little  the  distinct  and  sharp 
notes  of  the  species  named. 

Idst  of  specimens. 

1392,  $  juv.;  6/g— 7|.  1393,  S  juv.;  5tV-.7J.  1394,  S  juv.;  6J— 8§.  Provo  Eiver, 
Utah,  July  11, 1869.  Bill,  black;  interior  of  mouth,  yellow j  iris,  dark  brown;  tarsi 
and  toes,  fine  ashy-blue. 


PSALTRIPARUS  MINIMUS— P.  PLUMBBUS.  413 

PSALTRIPARUS  MINIMUS. 
lieast  Titmouse. 

Farm  minimus^  Townsend,  Journ,  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1837,  190, 
Psaltriparus  minimus^  Bonap.,  Oomp.  Rend.,  1854,  62. — Baied,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 

397;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  298;  Review,  1864, 84.-.COOPER,  Orn.  Cat.y 

48.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  82;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  35. 
Psaltriparus  minimus  var.  minimus,  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874, 109,  pi. 

Yii,  fig.  9. 

Of  this  delicate  little  bird  we  had  but  a  mere  glimpse,  while  passing 
through  the  western  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  It  was  there  seen  in 
small  straggling  companies,  among  the  brushwood  of  the  ravines,  appearing 
much  like  the  P.  plumbea  of  the  Interior  in  its  manners  and  notes. 

Psaltriparus  plumbeus. 

liead-colored  Titmouse. 

Psaltria  plumbea^  Baird,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1854,  118. 

Psaltriparus  plumheus,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  398 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No. 

299;  Review,  1864,  79. —Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  49.-.Coues,  Key,  1872,  82; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  36 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  23. 
Psaltriparus  minimus  var.  plumbeus,  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874, 110,  pi. 

VII,  fig.  10.— Henshaw,  1875,  171. 

Of  late  years,  the  known  range  of  this  species  has  been  greatly  extended 
by  the  more  recent  field-observations  of  the  Government  surveys.  It  was 
at  first  supposed  to  be  one  of  those  birds  characteristic  of  the  southwestern 
portion  of  the  country,  but  it  is  now  known  to  have  a  range  co-extensive 
with  the  Middle  Province,  having  been  obtained  by  the  naturalists  of  Dr. 
Hayden's  survey  as  far  to  the  northeastward  as  Green  Eiver  and  Bitter 
Creek,  Wyoming  Territory,  while  Captain  Charles  Bendire,  U,  S.  A.,  found 
it  a  winter  resident  at  Camp  Harney,  in  eastern  Oregon.  How  much 
farther  northward  it  may  extend  is  not  known,  but  its  range  in  that 
direction  is  probably  limited  by  the  Columbia  Valley.  We  met  with  this 
species  on  several  occasions  from  the  very  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada 
eastward  to  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  but  the  localities  where  it  occurred 
in  abundance  were  few  and  remote  from  each  other,  while  its  habits  are  so 
erratic  that  it  was  seldom  met  with  twice  at  one  place.     In  the  cafions  of 


414  ORNITHOLOGY. 

the  West  Humboldt  Mountains  it  was  very  numerous  in  September.  It 
was  found  there  in  ever-restless  companies,  continually  twittering  as  they 
flew  from  bush  to  bush,  at  which  time  the  flocks  became  greatly  scattered, 
the  individuals  straggling,  or  "stringing  out/^  one  behind  another.  In 
all  their  movements  they  were  remarkably  restless,  in  this  respect  even 
surpassing  the  Gnat  catchers  {Polioptilce),  to  which  they  bear  considerable 
resemblance  in  their  movements  and  appearance.  In  November  many  of 
these  birds  were  seen  in  company  with  the  Gray  Titmice  (Lophophanes 
inornatus)  among  the  cedars  on  the  Pea-vine  and  Virginia  Mountains,  and 
adjacent  ranges  in  western  Nevada,  and  in  the  spring  one  or  two  flocks, 
supposed  to  be  this  species,  were  observed  in  the  gorge  of  the  Carson  River, 
near  Carson  City.  On  the  eastern  side  of  the  Great  Basin  a  few  individuals 
in  City  Creek  Canon,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  comprised  all  that  were  seen. 

Among  the  numerous  specimens  killed  in  September,  we  noticed  that 
many  had  the  iris  blackish,  while  in  others  it  was  clear  light  sulphur- 
yellow,  and  in  some  intermediate,  or  yellowish  outwardly,  and  brownish 
next  the  pupil.  A  close  examination,  however,  of  these  specimens,  showed 
that  this  difference  apparently  depended  on  age,  those  having  the  darkest 
eyes  being  unmistakably  young  birds,  while  those  in  which  the  iris  was 
clear  yellow  were  all  old  birds,  as  was  readily  detected  by  the  difference 
in  the  texture  of  their  plumage.  Even  the  youngest  specimens  had  a 
yellowish  outer  ring  to  the  iris,  concealed  by  the  eyelids,  so  that  it  seems 
that  this,  color  gradually  spreads  from  the  outside  to  the  pupil,  with 
advancing  age,  until,  when  fully  mature,  the  iris  becomes  wholly  clear 
light  yellow. 

lAst  of  specimem, 

171,  S  juv,;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  7, 1867.  4| — 6—2 
— IfJ — x^^ — ^.  Bill,  black;  tn«,  sepia-blacJe^  very  narrow  outer  yellowish  ring;  tarsi 
and  toes,  black. 

184,  9  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  11.  4J— 5g— 2— 1}^— ^— y»^ 
— 2| — 1|.    Bill,  black;  im,  light  yellow;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

185,  <J  juv.;  4J — 6—2—1}^ — J — ^^ — ^2^^ — 1.  Iris,  light  yellow,  brownish  next 
pupil. 

250,  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (east  side),  October  12,  1867.     4/^— 6— 2J 
— ^— J— T^ — 2J — If.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  sulphur-yellow. 


PSALTRIPARUS  MELANOTIS— SITTA  AOULEATA.  415 

PSALTRIPARUS  MBLANOTIS.? 
Black-eared  TUmonse, 

Parus  melanoiisy  Hartlaub,  Rev.  Zool.,  1844,  216. 

Psaltriparus  melanotis^  Bonap.,  Comp.  Rend.,  1854,  — .-r-  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 

386,  pi.  Liii,  fig.  3;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  297;  Review,  1864,  84.— B.  B. 

&  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 108,  pi.  vii,  fig.  8. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1868,  we  saw  near  our  camp,  on  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains,  what  was  unquestionably  a  bird  of  this 
species,  since  the  black  patch  on  the  ear-coverts  was  distinctly  visible.  Its 
restless  movements  made  ineffectual  our  attempt  to  shoot  it,  and  before  we 
were  prepared  for  another  shot  it  disappeared  among  the  cedar  trees,  and 
could  not  be  found  again.  This  we  believe  is  the  first  known  instance  of 
its  occurrence  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  though  it  has  been 
obtained  near  our  border,  and  is  a  common  bird  of  the  high  mountain 
portions  of  northern  Mexico;  but  it  probably  occurs  in  greater  or  less 
numbers,  in  suitable  places,  throughout  our  southern  Rocky  Mountains. 

Family  SITTIDJ2— Nuthatohds. 

SiTTA  CAROLINENSIS. 
IFhite-bellied    iVuthatch. 

/?.  aculeata — Slender-hilled  Nuthatch, 

Sitta  aculeata,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1856,  254.— Baird,  B.N.  Am., 
1858,  375,  pi.  xxxiii,  fig.  3;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  278;  Review,  1864, 
86.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  54. 

Sitta  carolinensis  var.  aculeata,  Allen,  Bull.  Mas.  Comp.  Zool,  1872, 174. — Ooues^ 
Key,  1872,  83;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  38a;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  24.— B.  B.  &  R., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874, 117,  pi.  viii,  fig.  2  (bill  only).— Henshaw,  1875, 173. 

Being  strictly  a  pinicoline  species,  this  Nuthatch  was  observed  in 
abundance  only  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  being  comparatively  rare  on  the 
Wahsatch  and  Uintah  mountains,  while  none  were  seen  in  the  intervening 
region,  not  even  among  the  most  extensive  cedar  and  pin  on  woods.  In 
its  manners  it  is  a  counterpart  of  the  eastern  form,  but  its  notes  are  mark- 
edly different,  being  much  weaker,  and  some  of  them  of  another  character 


416  OENITHOLOGY. 

altogether.     It  is  with  hesitation  that  we  refer  this  bird  to  S.  caroUnensiSj  as 
a  geographical  race. 

.  List  of  specimms. 

439,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  10,  1868.  6— lOJ— 3|— 3.  Bill,  pure 
blackish-plumbeous,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  opaque,  bluish,  or  milky-white;  iris, 
very  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-black. 

448,  <J  ad,;  Carson,  March  21.    6j — 10^—33—3.    Same  remarks. 

449,  9  ad.;  (mate  of  preceding.)  5g — lOf — 3fi — 3.  Same  remarks.  Tarsi  and 
toes,  sepia-slate. 

487,  9  ad,;  Carson,  April  3.    6 — 11 — 3| — 3.    Same  remarks. 
491,  i  ad.;  Carson,  April  4.    6 — lOJ — S\l — 3.    Same  remarks. 


SiTTA  CAI^ADENSIS. 

Red-bellied  Nutliateb. 

Sitta  canadensis^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  177.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  376 ; 
Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  279 ;  Eeview,  1884,  86.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
B.,  1, 1874, 118,  pi.  VIII,  figs.  7, 8.— Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  54.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 
83,  fig.  27;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  39;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  25.— Henshaw,  1875, 
174. 

An  inhabitant  in  summer  of  the  pine  woods  exclusively,  this  species 
was  met  with,  at  that  season,  only  in  the  thickest  or  most  extensive  conifer- 
ous forests,  such  as  those  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  Wahsatch,  and  Uintah 
ranges.  In  all  localities  where  observed  it  was  much  less  common,  how- 
ever, than  either  S.  aculeata  or  S.  pygmcea^  but  wherever  found  made  its 
presence  known  by  the  loud,  penny-trumpet  tootj  so  peculiar  and  so  charac- 
teristic of  the  species.  Unlike  the  other  two  species,  this  one  appears  to  make 
more  or  less  of  a  vertical  migration,  since  in  September  we  found  it  common 
in  the  aspen  groves  along  the  streams  in  the  upper  Humboldt  Valley.  Later 
in  the  same  month  it  was  also  common  among  the  pines  of  the  lofty  Clover 
Mountains,  at  an  altitude  of  near  11,000  feet 

lAst  of  specimens. 

914,  9  ad.;  Camp  24,  head  of  Humboldt  Valley,  September  10, 1868.  4f-8^— 
( *? ) — 24.  Bill,  uniform  blackish-plumbeous,  bftsal  half  of  lower  mandible,  abruptly, 
bluish  white;  iris,  umber-brown;  tarsi,  dull  wax- green;  toes,  more  yellowish. 


SITTA  PYGM^A.  417 

SlTTA  PYGM^A. 
Pig^niy  Nutliatcli« 

SUtapygmcea,  ViaoES,  Zool.  Beechey's  Voy.,  1839,  29,  pi.  4.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  378 ;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  281 ;  Review,  18C4, 88.— B  .B.  &  E.,  Hist 
K.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  120,  pi.  VIII,  fig.  10.— Cooper,  Oni.  Cal.,  55.~CouES, 
Key,  1872,  83,  fig.  27 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  41 ;  B.  KW.,  1874,  25.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875, 175. 

This  curious  little  Nuthatch  was  always  a  companion  of  the  larger 
species  (S,  aculeata)^  the  same  local  conditions  being  favorable  or  unfavor- 
able to  their  presence.  They  appear  to  live  together  on  the  best  of  terms, 
since  we  have  often  seen  individuals  of  each  pass  and  re-pass  one  another  as 
they  searched  the  same  branch  or  trunk.  The  manners  of  this  diminutive 
Nuthatch  partake  in  their  general  nature  of  those  common  to  the  genus, 
and  pre*sent  no  marked  peculiarities  worthy  of  note.  It  is  extremely 
noisy,  its  shrill  notes  being  uttered  almost  continually,  whether  the  bird 
is  engaged  in  creeping  among  the  branches  or  in  flying  from  the  top  of 
one  tree  to  that  of  another;  and  although  one  may  be  making  a  din 
greater  than  that  of  any  other  bird  in  the  forest,  it  is  generally  hard  to 
discover  him,  on  account  of  his  diminutive  size.  The  notes  of  this  species 
greatly  resemble  in  their  high  pitch  the  ^^peet"  or  *^peet-weet"  of  certain 
Sandpipers  (as  Tringoides  and  Bhyacophilus),  but  they  are  louder  and  more 
piercing.  When  once  paired,  these  birds  seem  to  possess  a  strong  attach- 
ment to  their  mates,  since  on  one  occasion,  after  a  female  had  been  killed, 
the  male  made  loud  and  continued  complaint,  and  after  being  followed 
from  tree  to  tree,  was  finally  shot  from  the  same  one  where  his  mate  had 
been  secured. 

List  of  specimens. 

410,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  February  19,  1868.  4j— 8J— 2^— 2y'^.  Bill, 
slate-black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible  (abruptly),  milk-white j  iris,  very  dark  van- 
dykebrown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous-black. 

411,  9  ad.;  mate  of  preceding.  4f — 7f — 2f — 2y'^.  Same  remarks.  White  of  bill 
with  delicate  bluish  tinge. 

488, 9  ad.;  Carson,  April  3.    4| — 8 — 2|— 2^.    Same  remarks. 
492,  $  ad.;  Carson,  April  4.    4/^— 8— 2|J— 2j\.    Same  remarks. 
27  PR 


418  ornithology. 

Family  OERTHIIDJB— Ceeepbes 
Certhia  familiaris. 

Brown  Creeper. 

/?.  americana. 

Certhia  americana^  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 11. — Baied,  B.  N,  Am., 
1858, 372,  pi.  83,  fig.  2;  Gat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  275;  Review,  1864,  89. 

Certhia  familiaris  var.  americana^  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  125,  pi. 
Yiii,  fig.  11.— Henshaw,  1875,  177. 

^^ Certhia  familiaris^'^^  Ooues,  Key,  1872,  84,  ^g,  28;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  42;  B. 
,  N.W.,  1874,  26. 

^^Certhia  mexicana^^^  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  58. 

The  distribution  of  this  species  corresponds  with  that  of  Regulus  calen- 
dula^ the  pine  forests  being  its  home  in  summer,  while  in  winter  it  performs 
a  partial  migration  to  the  timbered  portions  of  the  lower  valleys,  or  to  the 
lower  edge  of  the  coniferous  belt.  It  was  first  observed  among  the  western 
foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  it  was  seen  early  in  July,  at  the  very 
commencement  of  the  pine  forest.  In  winter  it  was  more  or  less  common 
among  the  cotton-woods  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  valleys  of  the  Truckee 
and  Carson  Rivers,  but  eastward  of  those  localities  it  was  not  again  met 
with  at  any  season,  except  on  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mountains,  where 
it  was  a  rather  common  summer  resident  in  the  pine-region. 

List  of  specimens. 
349,  9  ad.;  Truckee  Reservation,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  December  7, 1867.    5^^^ — 
7 — 2J — 2^^ — f^ — ^ — 2| — If.     Upper  mandible,  black;  lower,  dilute  brownish-white, 
with  pinkish  tinge;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  horn-color. 

Family  TEOGLODYTID^— Wrens. 
Salpinotes  obsoletus. 

Rock  Wren. 

Troglodytes  obsoletus^  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1823,  4. 

Salpinctes  obsoletus,  Cabanis,  Wiegm.  Arcbiv,  1847,  323.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  357;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  264;  Review,  1864,  110.— B.  B.  &  R., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  135,  pi.  vm,  fig.  3.— .Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  65.— 
CoTJES,  Key,  1872,  85;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  45;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  27.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875,  179. 

The  Rock  Wren  is  by  far  the  most  common  and  generally  distributed 
species  of  the  family  in  the  Western  Region,  since  the  prevailing  character 


SALPINCTBS  OBSOLETUS.  419 

of  that  country  is  so  well  suited  to  its  habits.  It  was  first  met  with  near 
the  summit  of  the  Donner  Lake  Pass  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  but  this  was  on 
the  eastern  slope,  and  in  a  district  where  the  pine  forests  were  interrupted  by 
considerable  tracts  of  open  country,  of  a  more  or  less  rocky  nature.  East- 
ward of  this  point,  as  far  as  we  journeyed,  it  was  found  in  suitable  localities 
on  all  the  desert  ranges.  Its  favorite  resorts  are  piles  of  rocks,  where  it 
may  be  observed  hopping  in  and  out  among  the  recesses  or  interstices 
between  the  bowlders,  or  perched  upon  the  summit  of  a  stone,  usually 
uttering  its  simple,  guttural  notes.  It  is  not  strictly  rupicoline,  however, 
for  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  the  pine  forest 
reaches  to  the  very  base  of  the  mountains,  it  was  common  in  cleared  tracts 
where  there  was  much  rubbish  of  old  stumps,  prostrate  logs,  and  piles  of 
brush,  seeming  as  much  at  home  there  as  among  the  rocks.  At  that  place 
the  males  were  occasionally  observed  to  fly  up  to  a  naked  branch  of  some 
dead  tree,  and  remain  there  while  they  sang  their  simple  trill.  This  species 
also  freely  accepts  of  the  accommodations  and  protection  afforded  by  man, 
for  in  many  towns,  notably  those  among  the  mountains,  it  nests  about 
the  old  buildings  and  inside  the  entrance  to  mining-shafts,  displaying  as 
much  familiarity  and  confidence  as  the  little  House  Wren,  or  Bewick's 
Wren.  It  is  an  exceedingly  unsuspicious  little  bird,  if  unmolested,  always 
greeting  an  intruder  to  its  haunts  by  its  cheerful  note  of  turee^  while  it  bows 
and  scrapes  most  politely  at  each  utterance ;  but  if  too  closely  observed,  or 
pursued,  it  manages,  by  hopping  through  the  interstices,  to  keep  always  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  rock-pile,  while  it  changes  the  note  of  welcome  to  an 
admonishing,  guttural  tiirrrr.  In  its  general  appearance,  except  color,  and  in 
many  of  its  movements,  the  Rock  Wren  bears  a  somewhat  close  resemblance 
to  the  Carolina  Wren  ( Thryothorm  ludoviclams)  of  the  Eastern  Region, 
being  of  almost  exactly  the  same  size  and  shape;  the  notes,  too,  are 
somewhat  similar  in  their  general  nature,  particularly  the  ordinary  ones, 
which  have  the  same  guttural  character ;  but  the  song  is  a  simple  monoto- 
nous trill,  very  much  like  that  of  the  Snow-birds  (Junco),  and  though  often 
varied  indefinitely,  lacks  any  particular  merit,  from  want  of  power  and 
sweetness,  while  it  is  in  no  wise  comparable  to  the  superb  whistling  song  of 
the  species  above  mentioned. 


420  ORNITHOLOGY. 

At  Carson  City  the  Rock  Wren  was  migratory,  not  making  its  appear 
ance  during  the  season  of  our  stay  until  the  20th  of  March,  and  first  singing 
on  the  30th  of  that  month.  Indeed,  we  saw  it  nowhere  during  the  winter, 
and  thus  infer  that  it  makes  a  complete  migration  southward. 

List  of  specimens. 

163a  ad.;  ^r^-^x\-^-'^^r-}'^-^H-\h  164,9  ad.;  6-9-.2|-«2t-V-H- 
j_i — 2y^^.  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  18),  September  4, 1867.  Upper  mandible, 
uniform  slaty  born-color,  with  lilaceous  cast;  end  of  the  lower  mandible  similar,  fading 
on  middle  portion  into  ashy-lilac — pale-yellowish  basally  and  on  angle  of  mouth  5  iris, 
olive;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

253,  i  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  19j,  October  23.  6— 9-:2i|— 2^^^— 
1^ — J — 2f — \^.  Upper  mandible,  purplish-slaty;  lower,  pale  slaty -lilaceous,  darker 
terminally,  more  pinkish  at  base;  iris,  olivaceous-drab;  tarsi  and  toes,  slate-black. 

458,^0(1.;  Carson,  March  25.  6—9 — 3—2^.  Bill,  uniform  slate,  lower  mandible, 
paler  ;  iris,  grayish-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

478,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  30,  1868.  5^— 9— 2 J— 2^\.  Bill,  uniform 
plumbeous-slate,  lower  mandible,  paler,  except  terminally ;  iris,  grayish-umber ;  tarsi 
and  toes,  black. 

486,<Jad;  Carson  City,  Aprils.  6^— 94— -StJ^^— 2J.  Bill,  uniform  dull-slate,  basal 
half  of  lower  mandible,  slaty  bluish- white ;  iris,  raw-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 


OaTHERPES  MEXIOAinJS. 
White-throated  TFren* 

/?.  conspersm — Canon  Wren. 

Catherpes  mexicanuSy  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,^  356;  Cat.  K.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  263 ; 

Review,  1864,  111.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  66.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  85;  B.  N.W., 

1874,  28.    [Not  Thryothorus  mexicamis,  Swains.] 
Catherpes  mexicanus  var.  conspersm^  Ridgway,  Am.  Nat.,  1872,  2. — B.  B.  &  R., 

Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 139,  pi.  viii,  fig.  4.— COUBS,  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

46,  p.  126.— Henshaw,  1875, 181. 

Somewhat  similar  to  the  common  Eock  Wren  (Salpinctes)  in  its  distri- 
bution and  habits,  this  remarkable  species  differs  in  many  noteworthy 
respects,  the  principal  of  which  are  its  appearance  and  notes.  We  found  it 
everywhere  more  rare  than  the  other  species,  and  apparently  confined  to  the 
more  secluded  portions  of  the  mountains,  where  it  frequented  rocky  gorg^es 
and  the  interior  of  caves  more  often  than  the  piles  of  loose  rocks  on  the  open 
slopes.    It  was  generally  observed  to  be  rather  shy,  and  prone  to  elude 


CATHEEFES  CONSPERSUS.  421 

pursuit  by  retreating  to  the  deeper  recesses  of  the  rocks,  now  and  then 
slyly  peeping  from  some  crevice  but  an  instant,  and  then  very  unexpectedly 
reappearing  at  some  distant  place.  While  thus  engaged,  or  while  hopping 
about,  examining  each  crevice  for  a  spider  or  other  insect,  it  utters  a  simple 
ringing  note,  which  sounds  somewhat  like  dink,  uttered  in  a  metallic  tone ; 
while  now  and  then  he  pauses  to  pour  forth  his  piercing  song,  which  is  of 
such  volume  as  to  fill  the  surrounding  canons  with  its  reverberations.  In 
many  of  its  movements  it  greatly  resembles  the  common  Rock  Wren,  par- 
ticularly in  its  manner  of  bowing  and  swinging  oddly  from  side  to  side, 
when  its  attention  becomes  attracted  by  the  presence  of  an  intruder.  It  was 
frequently  seen  to  cling  to  the  roof  or  sides  of  a  cave  with  the  facility  of  a 
Creeper,  and  on  one  occasion  to  fly  perpendicularly  up  the  face  of  a  cliff  for 
a  considerable  height. 

It  seems,  however,  that  in  other  sections  of  the  country,  where  it  is 
probably  more  numerous,  this  species  is  not  always  thus  shy  and  retired  in 
its  habits;  for  Mr.  Dresser  (see  *^The  Ibis,"  1865,  p.  — )  mentions  an  interest- 
ing instance  where  a  pair  built  a  nest  in  the  wall  of  a  dilapidated  printing- 
office  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  were  so  tame  that  they  became  great 
favorites  with  the  workmen.  He  also  states  that  at  Dr.  Heermann's  ranche, 
on  the  Medina,  they  often  built  in  cigar-boxes  placed  for  their  accommo- 
dation. 

As  stated  above,  the  song  oi'  this  bird  is  one  of  remarkable  power ;  it 
is  also  unique  in  its  tone  and  modulation  to  such  an  extent  that  no  other 
song  we  ever  heard  resembles  it  at  all.  It  consists  of  a  series  of  clear, 
sharp,  whistling,  detached  notes,  beginning  in  the  highest  possible  key,  and 
descending  the  scale  with  perfect  regularity  through  an  octave  or  more. 
These  notes  are  occasionally  heard  echoed  and  reechoed  against  the  walls 
of  the  canons,  with  continued  reverberations,  such  is  their  power  and  . 
distinctness. 

List  of  specimens. 

345,  $  ad.;  near  Fort  Churchill,  December  7, 1867.  5.75-7.50—2.58—2.00—0.83 
— 0.56 — 2.25 — 1.18.  Bill,  slate-color,  paler,  and  with  a  lilaceous  tinge  toward  base  of 
lower  mandible;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  black.  [Type  of  var.  consversus^  Ridg- 
waj,  I  c] 


422  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Thrtomanes  BEWICKL 

Bewick's  Wren. 

y.  spilurus. 

Troglodytes  spilurusy  Vigors,  Zool.  Beechey's  Voy.,  1839, 18,  pL  4,  fig.  1. 

Thryothoru8  spilurus.  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1870,  G9. 

Thryothorus  hewiclci  var.  spilurusj  Baird,  Review,  1864, 126. — B.  B.  &  B^  Hist.  N. 

Am.  B,,  I,  1874,  147,  pi.  ix,  fig.  4.— OouES,  Key,  1872, 86;  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  48b. 
Thryothorus  hewichL  c.  spiltirtiSj  CouES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  31. 
Tliryothorus  bewicJciiy  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  363  (part). 

The  *' Long- tailed  House  Wren,"  or  Bewick's  Wren,  was  observed 
frequently  at  Sacramento,  where,  as  in  certain  portions  of  the  East,  it  fre- 
quented the  out-houses  in  the  city,  in  company  with  the  Barn  Swallow  and 
Black  Pewee.  After  leaving  there,  we  nowhere  identified  it  with  certainty, 
although  a  single  individual  of  what  seemed  to  be  this  species  was  noticed  at 
Glendale,  Nevada,  in  November,  1867.  The  specimen  in  question  was  seen 
among  the  willows  bordering  the  river,  and  disappeared  before  we  could 
decide  whether  it  was  this  species  or  the  Wood  Wren  (Troglodytes  park- 
manni). 

Troglodytes  aedok 

House  Wren;  Wood  Wren. 

/?.  parkmanni — Parkman's  Wren. 

Troglodytes  parJcmanni,  Aitd.,  Orn.  Biog.,  V,  1839,  310.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  1858, 

367;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  271;  Review,  1864,  140.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 

7L 
Troglodytes  aMonvHT. parkmanni^  CoUEB,  Key,  1872, 87;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 49a; 

B.  N.W.,  1874, 32.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.,  1, 1874, 153.— Henshaw,  1875, 

184. 

The  range  of  this  Wren  is  apparently  co-extensive  with  the  distribution 
of  the  timber,  or  governed  strictly  by  the  presence  or  absence  of  trees, 
without  special  regard  to  their  kind.  Its  vertical  range,  like  that  of  the 
Robin,  Louisiana  Tanager,  and  many  other  species,  was  consequently  very 
considerable,  it  being  equally  abundant  among  the  cotton-woods  of  the  river- 


TROGLODYTES  PABKMANm.  423 

valleys  and  the  aspen  copses  of  the  higher  canons  of  the  mountains.  In- 
deed it  is  the  only  strictly  arboreal  species  of  this  family  which  resides  in 
summer  in  the  Middle  Province,  and  there  much  more  rarely  seeks  the 
society  of  man  or  the  protection  of  his  presence  than  the  Rock  or  Bewick's 
Wrens.  That  they  are  somewhat  inclined  to  do  so,  however,  we  saw 
occasional  evidence,  particularly  in  one  instance,  where  a  pair  had  a  nest 
somewhere  about  the  trading-house  on  the  Indian  Reservation  near  Pyramid 
Lake.  This  pair  had  become  so  familiar  and  confiding  that  the  constant 
presence  or  passing  in  and  out  of  persons  did  not  alarm  them  in  the  least. 
Among  the  large  cotton-wood  trees  near  by,  which  extended  in  scattered 
groves  or  clumps  for  several  miles  along  the  river,  they  were  extremely 
abundant,  and  their  lively,  agreeable  songs  were  continually  heard.  They 
were  equally  abundant  in  the  high  canons  of  the  East  Humboldt  and 
Wahsatch  Mountains,  their  favorite  resort  in  the  latter  being  the  aspen 
copses  of  the  pine-region,  where  they  and  the  Robins  were  the  most  abun- 
dant birds.  Very  numerous  nests  of  this  species  were  found,  their  situation 
being  various,  although  most  of  them  were  similar  in  this  respect;  the 
prevailing  character  being  that  of  a  large  mass  of  rubbish  filled  in  behind 
the  loosened  bark  of  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  usually  only  a  few  feet  from  the 
ground,  the  entrance  a  natural  crevice  or  a  woodpecker's  hole;  it  was 
always  warmly  lined  with  feathers,  and  very  frequently  possessed  the 
ornamental-  addition  of  a  cast-off  snake-skin.  One  nest  was  placed  behind 
a  flat  mass  of  a  small  shrub  {Spircea  ccespitosa),  whicli  grew^  in  moss-like 
patches  against  the  face  of  a  cliff.  Another  one,  and  the  only  one  not 
concealed  in  some  manner,  was  built  in  the  low  crotch  of  an  aspen, 
liaving  for  its  foundation  an  abandoned  Robin's  nest.  It  consisted  of  a 
somewhat  conical  pile  of  sticks,  nearly  closed  at  the  top,  but  with  a  small 
opening  just  large  enough  to  admit  the  owner.  Including  its  bulky  base, 
the  total  height  of  this  structure  was  about  fifteen  inches. 

List  of  specimens. 
170,  S  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  7,  1867.    5J— G|— 2t^1}3. 


i — « — 15 — We'  Upper  mandible,  horn-black,  the  toraium  lilaceouswhite;  lower,  lila- 
ccous  whitish,  deepening  into  purplish-slaty  at  end 5  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes, 
brownish-whitish* 


424  OBNITHOLOGY. 

360,  9  ad.;  Truckee  Bottom,  December  17.  5— 6f~2^^— l^J— J— |— 2— |.  Bill, 
black,  lilaceous- whitish  on  basal  balf  of  lower  mandible  aud  along  commissure  j  interior 
of  mouth,  deep  naples-yellow;  iris,  raw-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  livid  brownish- white. 

839,  Sad.;  Bast  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  13,  1868.  5— 6J— If.  Bill,  black; 
commissure,  with  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  deep  pinkish-lilac;  iris,  grayish  choco- 
late-brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  ashy-sepia. 

864,  S  jm.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  7.  *5J— 6J— (?)— l^f  Upper 
mandible,  dull  black;  commissure  and  lower  mandible,  pale  lilaceous;  rictus,  pale 
yellow;  interior  of  mouth,  intense  yellow;   tarsi  and  toes,  delicate  pale  ashy-sepia. 

903,  S  ad.;  Secret  Valley,  Nevada,  September  7.  6^— 6f--(f )— 1|.  Upper  mandi- 
ble, olivaceous  black ;  lower  mandible  and  commissure,  lilaceous- white,  the  former  more 
dusky  terminally;  iris,  olivaceous  umber ;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  lilaceous-sepia. 

1260,  nest  and  eggs  (6);  Parley's  Park  (Wahsatch  Mountains),  Utah,  June  23, 
1869.    Built  on  an  old  Robin's  nest,  in  crotch  of  aspen,  deep  woods. 

1261,  nest  and  eggs  (7) ;  nest  in  hollow  aspen-snag. 

1286,  nest  and  eggs  (7) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  25.  !Nest  in  hollow  snag,  entrance 
through  knot-hole, 

1308,  nest  and  eggs  (6);  Parley's  Park,  June  27.  Nest  in  deserted  woodpecker's 
bole. 

1309,  nest  and  eggs  (6) ;  same  locality  and  date.  Nest  behind  loosened  bark  of 
dead  aspen. 

1421,  eggs  (3) ;  Parley's  Park,  July  17, 1869.    Nest  in  hollow  of  tree* 


TeOGLODYTES  HYEMALIS. 
IVinter  l¥ren. 

/3.  pacificuS'^Western  Winter  Wren. 

Troglodytes  hyemalis  var.  pacijicus^  Baird,  Review,  1864,  145. 

Troglodytes  parvulus  var.  pacificmy  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 155,  pi. 

IX,  fig.  10. 
Anorthura  troglodytes  var.  hyemaUs,  COUES,  Key,  1872,  351  (part);  Check  List, 

1873,  No.  50  (part);  B.  N.W.,  1874,  33  (part). 
Troglodytes  hyemalis  (part),  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  369;  Cat  N.  Am.  B,,  1859, 

No.  273.— CooPEE,  Orn.  Cal.,  73. 

The  Winter  Wren  seenaed  to  be  quite  rare  in  the  Interior,  since  but 
one  individual,  the  one  obtained,  was  observed. 

List  of  specimens. 

369,  (J  ad.;  Truckee  Bottom,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  Nevada,  December  25, 1867.  4— 
6 — 2 — 1| — y^j — (^)^li*^ — iV  UpP^r  mandible,  black,  tomium  dilute  brown;  lower, 
dilute  brown,  dusky  along  the  side;  iris,  deep  burntnmber;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep 
brown. 


TELMAT0DYTE8  PALUDICOLA.  425 

TbLMATODYTES  PALUSTpiS. 
liOng-billed  marsH  l¥ren. 

yS.  paludicola — Tule  Wren. 

Cistothorus  palustris  var.  paludicola,  Baied,  Eeview  Am.  B.,  1864, 148. — B.  B.  & 
E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  161.-«Henshaw,  1875, 185. 

Telmatodytes palustris^  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  87  (part);  Check  List,  1873,  No.  51;  B, 
N.W.,  1874,  35  (part). 

Cistothorus  {Telmatodytes)  palustris  (part),  Baird,  B.  K  Am.,  1858,  364;  Cat.  K 
Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  268  (part).— CooPEE,  Orn.  Cal.,  75. 

In  all  marshy  localities  where  there  existed  even  a  limited  growth  of 
tules,  the  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren  was  more  or  less  abundant.  It  was 
consequently  found  in  numerous  places,  but  it  abounded  most  in  those 
extensive  marshes  adjoining  the  lower  portions  of  the  Truckee,  Humboldt, 
and  Jordan  Eivers,  it  being  so  abundant  at  the  latter  locality  that  several 
nests  were  often  visible  at  one  time  in  the  thick  growth  of  reeds.  The 
song  of  this  Wren  is  very  peculiar,  being  a  confused  sputtering,  scolding 
harangue,  somewhat  similar  to,  but  harsher  and  less  pleasing  than,  the  song 
of  Troglodytes  aedon. 

List  of  specimens. 

273,  i  ad.;  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  15, 1867.  5jJg— .6|  ^2f-^—l{^j% 
— }l — lj\ — }|.  Upper  mandible,  slaty-black;  commissure  aud  lower  mandible,  lilace- 
ous  white,  the  latter  more  dusky  terminally;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  delicate 
brownish-white,  strongly  tinged  with  bluish  lilaceous. 

370,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Bottom,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  December  25.  5J — 6^g— 2/^—13 — 
^ — \l — 2 — J.    Same  remarks.    Tarsi  and  toes,  deep  light-brown,  with  yellowish  tinge. 

737,  nest  and  five  eggs:  Truckee  Bottom,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  May  18,  1868. 
Nest  among  reeds  in  deep  woter,  near  lake-shore. 

738,  nest.    Same  remarks  as  to  preceding. 

950,  S  ad.;  Deep  Creek,  Utah,  October  5, 1868.  5|— 7— (?)— l}f .  Bill,  black  -,  com- 
missure and  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible,  pure  lilaceousj  iris,  umberj  tarsi  and 
toes,  deep  sepia,  the  latter  darkest. 

951,  8 ad.;  952,  9 ad]  5§— 7^— (?)— 1}|.    Same  remarks. 

1010, 1011,  1012,  1013,  1014,  101*5,  May  21,  1869;  1079,  1080,  1031, 1082,  June  2, 
1869;  nests  and  eggs;  Jordan  River  (near  Salt  Lake  City),  Utah.  Nests  each  attached 
to  several  stalks  of  upright  reeds,  or  tules^  standing  in  the  water,  near  nests  of 
Xanthocephalus  icterocephalus.  Maximum  number  of  eggs  four,  but  the  number  prob- 
ably sometimes  exceeds  this. 

1459,  S  juv.;  Parley's  Park  ( Wahsatch  Mountains),  Utah,  July  26,  1809.     ^^^. 


426  OENITHOLQGY, 

Upper  mandible,  sepia-black;  commissure  and  lower  mandible,  pale  lilaceous;  iris, 
brown  ;  tarsi,  dark  sepia-plurfbeousf  toes,  paler,  whitish  beneath. 

1467,  S  juv.;  Parley^s  Park,  July  28.    4f— 6g.    Same  remarks. 

1476,  S  juv.;  July  29.     5J— 7. 

1494,  ^  juv.;  5|— 6^.    1495,  ^  juv.;  5J-~6J.    August  7.    Same  remarks  as  to  1459. 

Family  MOTACILLID J]— Wagtails  and  Tit-larks,  or  Pipits. 

AnTHUS   LUDOYICIANUS. 
Tic-lark. 

Alauda  ludoviciana^  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat,  I,  1788,  793. 

Antkm  ludovicianus,  Light.,  Verz.,  1823,  27.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  232;  Cat. 
N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  165;  Review,  1864, 153— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  B.,  I, 
1874,  171,  pi.  X,  fig.  3.— Cooper,  Oru.  Cal.,  78.— Coites,  Key,  1872, 90,  fig.  34; 
Check  List,  1873,  No.  55;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  40.— Henshaw,  1875,  187. 

Perhaps  no  bird  of  the  Interior  is  more  abundant  in  winter  than  the 
Tit-lark  is,  at  times,  in  localities  of  a  nature  calculated  to  attract  them.  At 
the  Tmckee  Meadows  they  came  in  immense  flocks  in  November,  and 
spread  over  the  soggy  meadows,  where  they  remained  during  the  mod- 
erately cold  weather  for  the  greater  portion  of  the  winter,  occasionally 
congregating  by  thousands  about  the  haystacks  and  corrals.  They  were 
equally  abundant  at  Carson  City,  particularly  in  the  vicinity  of  the  warm 
springs,  where  the  high  temperature  of  the  water  kept  the  meadow  soft 
and  comparatively  green,  even  dining  the  coldest  weather.  In  April,  just 
before  their  departure  for  the  North,  we  observed  them  in  their  more 
highly-colored  plumage. 

List  of  specimens. 

193,  9  ad.;  West  Hamboldt  Moantains,  Nevada,  September  17, 1867.  (Stream,  in 
garden.)  6— 10— 3/^— 2f — .^^}f— 2/^— 1.  Upper  mandible,  dark  horn-color,  darker 
terminally;  lower,  paler,  nearly  straw-yellow  at  base;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark 
horn-color, 

270,  9ad.;  Trackee  Meadows,  November  8.  6}|— lOJ— 3^^^— -2^ — J§ — ^3^23—13^. 
Bill,  black ;  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  light-brown ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  very 
dark  blackish-brown. 

274, 9  ad.;  Truckee  Meadows,  November  15.  6^10-^y\--2|^— ^ — ^|_2J— 1^5^. 
Upper  mandible  and  tip  of  lower,  nearly  black,  remaining  portion  dull  wax-yellow, 
deepest  basally~alrao8t  lemon -yellow  on  rictus;  iris,  deep  vandyke;  tarsi  and  toes, 
uniform  blackish,  toes  not  darker — dull  light-yellowish  beneath. 

275,  i  ad,;  Truckee  Meadows,  November  15.  6J— ll^^^-^f — 2ff — J— |f — 2J— 
1|.    Toes  more  blackish  than  tarsus. 


HELMINTHOPHAGA  RUFIOAPILLA.  427 

276,  $  ad.;  6|— lOJ— STV-^J—i— 3— 2j|— If .    Same  remarks. 

277,  (?  ad.;  6f— lOf— 3^— 2|i— J— }|— 2J— 1|.    SSame  remarks. 

278,  i  ad.;  7— 10|— 3 J~-2}|  -  j_i.3_23— 1.    Same  remarks. 

279,  ^a^.;  6|^10J— 3/^— 2-{i^J— J— 2/^— 1.  Tarsi,  dark  sieana-brown ;  toes, 
more  blackish,  distinctly  pale  .yellowish  beneath. 

280,  (?  ad.;  6,^i— 10^3^— 2jf— ^— 2— 2f— 1.    Same  remarks. 

281,  i  ad.;   6^^^— 10^— 3J— 2if— i— |— 2f— IJ.    Same  remarks. 

282,  <J  ad.;  6^— 10|— 3f— 2^^— J^f— 2|— (?).    Same  remarks. 
2S3,Sad.;  6i— lOf— 3|— 2]|— J— }|— 2^— (?).    Same  remarks. 

Family  MNIOTILTIDJI—Amerioan  Waebleks. 
Helminthophaga  rupicapilla. 

Nashville  Warbler. 

Sylvia  rujicapilla,  Wils.,  Am.  Orn.,  Ill,  1811, 120,  pi.  27,  fig.  3. 

HelmintJiophaga  ruficapilla,  Baird,  B.  K  Am.,  1858, 256;  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No. 
183;  Review,  1864,  175.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  196,  pi.  xi, 
figs.  7,  8.1— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  82.— Ooues,  Key,  1872, 94 ;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  67  5  B.  N. W.,  1874,  50.— Henshaw,  1875, 188. 

Although  not  observed  in  summer,  this  bird  was  more  or  less  com- 
mon in  September  in  the  thickets  along  the  streams  in  the  lower  portion  of 
the  canons.  It  is  not  as  yet  definitely  known  whether  this  species  breeds 
anywhere  within  the  Western  Eegion,  or  whether,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
individuals  which  have  been  obtained  at  so  many  localities  west  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  were  migrants  from  the  Eastern  Region,  which,  near  the 
northern  boundary  of  the  United  States,  extends  so  much  farther  toward 
the  Pacific  coast.  The  same  doubt  exists  in  the  case  of  Lanivireo  solitarius. 
It  is  well  known,  however,  that  toward  our  northern  border  the  Rocky 
Mountains  form  much  less  of  a  barrier  to  the  westward  range  of  eastern 
species,  many  of  which,  following  the  head-waters  of  the  Yellowstone  and 
other  tributaries  of  the  Missouri  River,  have  but  a  short  flight  to  reach  the 
head-streams  of  the  Columbia,  and  thus  reach  the  Pacific  coast  in  Oregon 
and  Washington  Territory,  by  passing  down  the  valley  of  the  latter  stream. 

^On  p.  191  a  **  var.  gutturalis^^  is  characterized,  supposed  to  be  distinguished  by 
having  the  yellow  of  the  throat  confined  strictly  within  the  maxillaD,  and  not,  as  in 
true  ruficapilla,  covering  the  cheeks;  the  race  being  based  on  No.  901  of  this  catalogue, 
=  No.  53,354,  National  Museum  catalogue.  Should  this  peculiarity  prove  constant, 
the  western  birds  may  be  distinguished  by  that  name.  Figure  8,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds, 
quoted  above,  represents  this  form. 


428  ORNITHOLOGY. 

These  same  individuals,  in  the  case  of  non-resident  species,  during  their 
autumnal  migration,  probably  follow  the  bases  of  the  mountain  ranges 
directly  southward,  instead  of  returning  by  the  devious  route  by  which 
they  reached  the  western  portions  of  the  country.  The  occasional  cap-  ^ 
ture  of  such  species  as  those  named  above,  and  the  more  accidental  occur- 
rence of  others,  as  JEdopistes  migratoria  (see  pp.  355,  380,  385,  and  596),  at 
localities  in  the  Western  Region,  may  thus  be  accounted  for. 

List  of  specimens. 

901,  fad,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Secret  Valley),  Nevada,  September  6, 1868. 
H'--'^i — ^^  Upper  mandible,  plumbeous- black,  tbo  tomium  slightly  paler;  lower, 
plumbeous- vThite,  with  lilaceous  glow;  iris,  burnt-umber;  tarsi,  bluish-plumbeous; 
toes,  stained  with  yellow.  [Type  of  Helminthophaga  ruficapllla  var.  gutturalisj  Baird, 
Brewer,  and  Kidgway,  History  of  North  American  Birds,  Vol.  1, 1874:,  p.  191,  pi.  xi, 
tig.  8.] 

Helminthophaga  Virginia. 

Virginians  IVarMer. 

Helminthophaga  virginiw,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  ed.  1860,  p.  xi,  pi.  79,  fig.  1;  Cat.  N.  Am. 
B.,  1859,  No.  183a;  Review,  1865,  177.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 
199,  pi.  XI,  tig.  12.— -Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  85.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  94;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  06-,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  51.— Hensuaw,  1875,  189. 

This  interesting  little  Warbler  was  first  observed  among  the  cedar  and 
pifion  groves  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains.  It  was  not  met 
with  west  of  this  locality,  but  eastward  it  occurred  on  all  those  ranges 
having  a  similar  or  equally  extensive  growth.  At  the  first-named  locality 
it  was  rather  common  in  July  and  August,  and  was  found  in  the  same 
groves  with  the  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler  (JDendrceca  nigrescens)  and 
the  Lead-colored  Vireo  (Lanivireo  plumbeus).  On  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah 
Mountains  it  was  more  abundant,  being  particularly  plentiful  among  the 
scrub-oaks  on  the  foot-hills  near  Salt  Lake  City.  They  lived  entirely 
among  the  bushes,  which  there  were  so  dense  that  the  birds  were  difficult  to 
obtain,  even  when  shot.  The  usual  note  of  this  species  is  a  soft  pit,  very 
different  from  the  sharp  chip  of  H.  cetote,  while  its  song  is  so  exceedingly 
similar  to  that  of  the  Summer  Yellow-bird  {Bendrceca  cestiva)  that  we  often 
found  it  difficult  to  distinguish  them. 


HELMINTHOPHAGA  CELATA— H.  LUTESCENS.        429 

List  of  specimens. 

S59JUV.;  East  Humboldt  Mouatains,  Nevada,  August  5,  1868.  5--7| — ('?)—3. 
Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-black,  the  tomium  yellowish-white;  lower  mandible,  dull 
light-ashy,  darker  terminally;  tarsi  and  toes,  yellowish-plumbeous,  the  latter  pale 
yellow  beneath. 

1040,  S  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  (City  Creek  Canon),  May  24, 1869.  5—8.  Bill, 
lilaceous-blue,  the  upper  mandible  nearly  black;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi,  hepatic-slate^  toes, 
yellowish. 

1041,  $  ad,  (mate  of  preceding);  4f — TJ.     Same  remarks. 
1053,  9  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  26.    5 — 7J.    Same  remarks. 
1192,  <f  ad,;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  21.    4}| — 7|.    Same  remarks. 

1188,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  City,  June  19.  !N'est  imbedded  in  the  layer  of 
dead  leaves  covering  the  ground  under  oak-thicket,  on  side  of  ravine ;  female  shot. 


HELMINTHOPHAGA   CELATA. 
Orang^e-crowned  Warbler. 

a.  celata — Common  Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

Sylvia  celata^  Say,  Long^s  Exped.,  1, 1823,  109. 

Selminthophaga  celata  (part),  Baied,  B.  K  Am.,  1858,  257;  Cat.,  1859,  No.  184 

(part);  Review,  J865,  176.--Cooper,  Cm.  Cal.,  83.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  95; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  68  (part) ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  52.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 

B.,  I,  1874,  202,  pi,  XI,  fig.  5.— Henshaw,  1875, 191. 

/?.  lutescens, — Yellow  Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

Eelminthopliaga  celata  var.  lutescens,  RiDawAY,  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  &  Arts,  Jan.,  1872, 
457 ;  Am.  Nat,  Yll,  Oct,  1873,  p. — .— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874, 
204,  pi,  XI,  tig.  4. 

Selminthophaga  celata.  b.  lutescens,  Coues,  B.  N.W.,  1874, 52. 
Helmintlhophaxja  celata  (part),  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  and  Rev. — Coues,  Key,  and 
Check  List— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  83. 

The  Orange-crowned  Warbler  was  most  frequently  met  with  during  its 
autumnal  migration,  at  which  time  it  was  the  most  abundant  of  all  the  spe- 
cies of  the  family ;  it  was  also  not  uncommon  in  summer  in  the  high  aspen 
woods  of  the  loftier  mountains.  In  the  fall,  the  thickets  and  lower  shrub- 
bery along  the  streams,  particularly  those  of  the  lower  canons,  would  fairly 
swarm  with  them  during  the  early  portion  of  the  mornings,  as  they  busily 


430  ORNITHOLOGY. 

sought  their  food,  in  company  with  various  insectivorous  birds,  especially 
the  Black-capped  Green  Warbler  (Myiodioctes  pusillus)  and  Swainson's  Vireo 
( Vireosylvia  swainsoni).  At  such  times  they  uttered  frequently  their  sharp 
note  of  chip.  The  brightly-colored  specimens  representing  H.  lutescens  were 
prevalent  in  the  western  depression  of  the  Basin,  but  were  not  observed 
eastward  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  Valley  of  the  Humboldt,  nor  at  any 
locality  during  the  summer;  and  wherever  found,  were  associated  witli 
individuals  of  the  other  form,  which  is  the  only  one  found  breeding  on  the 
mountains.  It  is  therefore  inferred  that  all  these  individuals  were  migrants 
from  the  northern  Pacific  Coast  region  and  the  Sierra  Nevada,  while  those 
of  jET.  celata  proper  were  from  the  higher  portions  of  the  more  eastern 
mountains,  or  from  farther  northward  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  ranges;  full- 
fledged  young  birds  being  numerous  in  the  high  aspen  woods  of  the  Wah- 
satch  Mountains  in  July  and  August. 

lA§t  of  specimens, 

a,  celata.  • 

021,  S  ad^;  "  Dearing's  Creek,"  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  September  11, 1868.  5— 
7|-^(<?) — 2j.  Upper  mandible,  brownish  plumbeous-black,  the  tomium  whitish ;  lower, 
pale  lilaceousplumbeous,  darker  terminally 5  iris, bright  sienna 5  tarsi  and  toes,  plum- 
beous, with  yellow  cast. 

922,  9  ad.;  "Bearing's  Creek,''  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  September  11,  1868. 
43_7j — (?)— l|f .    Bill  rather  more  lilaceous. 

1425,  $juv.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  17, 1869.  4}f— 7|. 
Upper  mandible,  black }  commissure  and  lower  mandible,  dark  lilaceous,  latter  paler 
basally;  iris,  brown;  tarsi, plumbeous ;  toes, olive. 

1605,  <J  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  August  12, 1869.    5— 7J.    Same  remarks. 

1516,  <J  ad,;  Parley's  Park,  August  16, 1869.  5^\— 5^.  Upper  mandible,  black, 
paler  along  tomium ;  lower,  lilaceous-blue,  whitish  basally,  blackish  terminally ;  iris, 
brown;  tarsi,  dull  plumbeous;  toes,  more  greenish. 

yS.  lutescens. 

215,  <J  ad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  24, 1867. 
4|— 7§— 2§— 2— |— 1^— Iff— ^f.  Bill,  blackish  horn-color,  the  lower  mandible,  paler; 
iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  horn-color. 

907,  i  ad.;  "  Secret  Valley,"  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  8, 
1868.  45 — 7f^— (!) — 2.  Upper  mandible,  purplish-black,  the  tomium  deep  lilac;  lower 
mandible,  bluish-lilac,  more  pinkish  basally,  more  dusky  toward  tip ;  iris,  Vandyke- 
brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous,  the  latter  stained  with  yellow. 


DENDRCECA  iEJSTlVA.  431 

926,  S  ad.;  <'  Dearing's  Creek,"  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  Nevada,  September  12. 
^il—'^f— (^)— 2.  Upper  mandible,  plumbeous  black,  the  tomium  edged  with  paler ; 
lower,  plumbeous-white,  darker  terminally;  iris,  burntsienaa;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbe- 
ous, latter  with  a  yellowish  tinge. 

Dendrceca  estiva. 

Summer  ¥ellow*bird ;  Ooldcn  IVarbler. 

Motacilla  cesiiva^  Gmelin,  Syst  Nat.,  I,  1788,  996. 

Bendrceca  cestiva^  Baird,  B.  K  Am.,  1858,  282;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  203;  Eeview, 
1865, 195.-^CooPEB,  Orn,  OaL,  87.-«C0UES,  Key,  1872,  97 ;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  70;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  54.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  222,  pi.  xiv, 
fig.  1.— Henshaw,  1875,  192. 

This  common  and  familiar  little  bird  was  met  with  everywhere,  except 
during  the  winter  season ;  and  in  all  wooded  localities,  with  the  exception 
of  the  higher  forests,  which  it  gave  up  chiefly  to  2).  audiibonij  was  the  most 
abundant  and  generally  distributed  member  of  the  family.  At  Sacramento 
it  was  one  of  the  commonest  birds,  inhabiting  every  copse,  whether  of 
willow,  cotton- wood,  or  oak;  and  throughout  the  Interior  it  was  equally 
plentiful  in  every  locality  producing  a  growth  of  willows  or  other  shrubbery, 
being  most  multiplied  in  the  river-valleys  or  lower  cafions,  and  gradually 
decreasing  in  numbers  toward  the  summits  of  the  mountains.  No  dijSFerence 
whatever  exists,  apparently,  between  the  western  and  eastern  birds  of  this 
species. 

List  of  specimens. 

11,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  California,  Jane  8,  1867.  Nest  on  small  oak, 
in  grove. 

24,  25,  2G,  27,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  California,  June  11,  18G7.  Nests  in 
a  small  oak-grove,  nearly  similarly  situated,  being  generally  placed  on  a  high  branch 
near  the  top  of  the  trees,  about  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  the  ground. 

121,  Sjuv.;  valley  of  the  Truckee,  Nevada,  August  6, 1867.  %V~-"'^Tf— 23®^— .2| 
— j_§ — 13 — |.  Upper  mandible,  leaden-black,  the  tomium  whitish;  lower,  leaden- 
bluish  ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  yellowish  horn-color,  latter  yellowish  beneath. 

158,  ?  ad.;  valley  of  the  Humboldt  (Camp  17),  September  2.  5y\— 7^—2^7^—2— 
^7^ — |— 1| — j|.  Upper  mandible,  black,  the  tomium  pale  ashy-lilac;  lower  mandible, 
pale  ashy-lilac ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  liver-brown,  scutellje  margined  with  ashy- 
blue. 

881,  ?  juv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  August  29, 1868.  4|— 7:1— (I)— 2. 
Upper  mandible,  olive-brown,  edged  with  paler;  lower,  uniform  greenish- white;  iris, 
bister ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  sepia,  strongly  washed  with  yellow. 


432  ORNITHOLOGY. 

1254,  1255,  1256,  nests  and  egg^*,  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  23, 1869.  Nests  in 
willows  along  stream. 

1306,  nest  and  eggs  (4)  5  Parley's  Park,  June  27.    Nest  in  rose-bush  near  stream. 
1415,  nest  and  egg  (1)  5  Parley's  Park,  July  16, 1869.    Nest  in  willows. 

Dbndrceoa  ocoidbntalis. 

Westeru  TFarbler. 

Sylvia  occidentalism  Townsenb,  Journ.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  YII,  ii,  1837, 190. 

Dendrceca  occidentalism  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 268;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  190  5  Review, 
1865, 183.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  92.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  98;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  72.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  266,  pi.  xii,  fig.  5.— Henshaw, 
1875,  201. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  1868,  a  single  individual  of  this  strongly-marked 
species  was  seen  in  the  lower  portion  of  one  of  the  eastern  caiions  of  tlie 
East  Humboldt  Mountains.  It  was  busily  engaged  in  searching  for  its 
insect  food,  in  a  thicket  along  the  stream,  during  which  occupation  it  uttered 
an  occasional  note,  sounding  like  a  lisped  and  faint  enunciation  of  p^eet 

Dendeceoa  townsendi. 

Townsend's  Warbler. 

^^ Sylvia  townsendi,  Nuttall,''  Townsend,  Journ.  Ac.  Nat.  8ei.  Philad.,  VII,  ii, 

1837, 191. 
Dendrceca  townsendi,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  269  5  CataL,  1859,  191;  Review, 

1865, 185.— CooPEB,  Orn.  Cal.,  91.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  98;  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  73— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  265,  pi.  xii,  fig.  7.— Henshaw, 

1875,  200. 

This  Warbler,  like  the  D.  occidentalism  was  exceedingly  rare  along  our 
route,  only  one  other  specimen  besides*  that  obtained  having  been  seen. 
The  one  in  question  was  observed  on  the  8th  of  September,  in  an  alder- 
thicket  high  up  one  of  the  eastern  canons  of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains. 
The  manners  and  notes  of  this  species,  as  observed  at  this  season,  seemed 
much  like  those  of  D.  occidentalism  neither  possessing  any  strikingly  distinctive 
trait,  so  far  as  could  be  observed. 

List  of  specimens. 

942,  i  ad.;  Thonsand  Spring  Valley,  Nevada,  September  24,  1868.  (Specimen 
badly  mutilated ;  no  measiirements.) 


DENDRCECA  NIGRE80ENS— D.  AUDUBONI.  433 

Dendrceca  NIGRESCENS. 

Black-throated  Gray  Warbler. 

Sylvia  nigrescens,  Townsend,  Journ.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VIL,  ii,  1837,  191. 

Dendrceca  nigrescens^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  270;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  192;  Review, 
1865,  186.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  90.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  98;  Check  List, 
1873,  No.  75 ;  B.  N.VV.,  1874,  55.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  258, 
pi.  XII,  fig.  8.— Henshaw,  1875, 188. 

The  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler  doubtless  breeds  on  all  the  higher 
mountains  of  the  Western  Region,  since  Mr.  C.  E.  Aiken  has  discovered  it 
to  be  a  summer  resident  on  the  most  eastern  ranges  in  Colorado,  while  it  has 
long  been  known  as  a  summer  bird  of  the  Pacific  Coast  district;  but  the 
mountains  of  the  Great  Basin  having  sufficient  timber-growth — a  condition 
essential  to  the  presence  of  this  species — are  very  few,  and  so  far  between, 
that  we  met  with  it  at  few  localities.  On  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby 
Mountains,  it  was  abundant  in  July  and  August,  in  the  piiion  and  cedar 
woods,  never  entering  the  brushwood  in  the  <ianons.  A  few  individuals 
were  also  seen  in  Pack's  Canon,  Uintah  Mountains,  where  they  inhabited 
the  lower  slopes  which  were  covered  with  a  scattered  growth  of  scrub- 
oaks  and  mountain-mahogany.  At  the  former  locality,  several  families  of 
full-grown  young  were  observed  still  following  their  parents.  Their  song 
was  not  heard,  but  their  ordinary  note  greatly  resembled  the  sharp  chip 
of  the  eastern  Yellow-rump  {D,  coronata). 

List  of  specimens, 

840,  i;  East  Humboldt  Mouutains,  Nevada,  July,  14,  1868.  4|— 7|— (?)— 2j3j.. 
Bill,  deep  black ;  iris,  dark  sepia ;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-black. 

855,  ^;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  4,  1808.    5| — 7J— (?)— 2J.    Same  re-  • 
marks. 

863,  cJ;  August  7, 1868.    5J— 7^— (?>-2J.    Same  remarks. 

SG6,  9  ;  August  10, 1868.  5--7|— ( ? )— 2.  Bill,  black,  slightly  lilaceous  at  base  of 
lower  i^iandible. 

Dendrceca  auduboni. 

Audubon's  Warbler. 

Sylvia  audubonii,  Townsend.,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VII,  ii,  1837,  190. 

Dendrceca  audubonii^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  273;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  195;  Review, 
1865, 188.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  88.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  100;  Check  List, 
1873,  No.  79;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  58.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  229, 
pi.  XIII,  fig.  1.— Henshaw,  1875, 194. 

As  is  the  case  with  the  eastern  Yellow-rumped  Warbler  (D.  coronata)^ 
28  PR 


43^  ORNITHOLOGY. 

except  in  the  southern  portion  of  its  habitat,  Audubon's  Warbler,  the 
western  representative  of  that  species,  is  the  only  one  of  the  family  which 
remains  during  the  winter.  Its  migrations  seem  to  be  mainly,  if  not 
entirely,  vertical,  its  summer-home  being  the  pine  forests  of  the  mountains, 
while  in  winter  it  dwells  among  the  cotton- woods  of  the  river- valleys,  or 
the  brushwood  of  the  lower  canons.  In  its  habits  and  manners  it  is  an  exact 
counterpart  of  D.  coronata,  which  it  also  resembles  so  strikingly  in  plumage; 
but  its  notes  are  markedly  different,  the  usual  one  being  a  feeble  wit^  very 
unlike  the  sharp  chip  of  the  eastern  species. 

List  of  specimens. 

218,  S  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountaias,  Nevada,  September  25, 180^7.  gj— 9—3J— 
2j| — ^1 — 1^ — 2i — 1.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  bazel. 

245,  (?  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  8, 18G7.  55— 9J— 3J— 2g— |— J— 
2^^ — l^ig..    Same  remarks. 

346,  9  ad.;  Truckee  Valley,  Nevada,  December  7, 1868.  6J— 8f— 25— .2§— ^7__|i_ 
2| — J.    Same  remarks. 

493,  <J  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  4,  18G8.  (>— 9§--3/g-.2g.  Iris,  burnt- 
umber. 

500,  i  ad.;  Carson,  April  18,  1868.  6—9^—3^—21.  Bill,  jet-black ;  iris,  burnt- 
umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-black. 

1257,  single  egg;  Parley's  Park,  Wabsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  23,  1869. 
Nest  near  extremity  of  horizontal  branch  of  pine  tree,  about  ten  feet  from  ground; 
contained,  besides,  three  young. 

Geothlypis  TEICHAS. 

Maryland  ITellow-throat. 

Turdus  trichasj  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  293. 

OeotlUypis  triclias,  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  1850,  16.— Baibb,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  241 ; 
Catal.,  1859,  No.  170;  Review,  1865,  220.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  95.— Codes, 
Key,  1872, 107,  fig.  47 ;  Check  List,  1873,  97 ;  B.  N.  W.,  1874,  74— B.  B.  &  B., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  297,  pi.  xv,  figs.  7,  8.— Henshaw,  1875,  204. 

In  all  bushy  places  contiguous  to  water,  this  little  bird  was  invariably 

to  be  found  ;  but  it  was  confined  to  the  valleys,  being  replaced  among  the 

mountains,  even  in  the  lower  canons,  by  the  G.  macgillivrayi.     Clumps  of 

wild-rose  briers  and  the  banks  of  the  sloughs  seemed  to  be  its  favorite 

resorts,  and  in  such  localities  near  Pyramid  Lake  it  was  one  of  the  most 

abundant  species  in  May,  and  all  day  long  enlivened  the  vicinity  of  one  of 

our  camps  by  its  pleasant  song  of  witch' ity^  witch' ity^  witch' ity — often  from 

several  rival  males  at  the  same  time. 


GEOTHLYPIS  MAGGILLIVRATL  435 

List  of  specimens. 

750,  eggs  (4);  mouth  of  Truckee  River,  May  19,  1868.  Nest  in  sage  bnsb,  in 
moist  depression. 

883,  juv.;  Buby  Valley,  Nevada,  August  29,  1868.  5J— 6f— (?)— 1^.  Upper 
mandibl-j,  sepia-black,  the  tomium  pale  brownish-yellow;  lower,  dilute  lilaceous-sepia; 
iris,  plumbeous-brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  pinkish  sepia,  the  toes  strongly  washed 
with  yellow. 

899,  9  juv.;  Secret  Valley,  Nevada,  September  23,  1868.  6f-7— (?)— IJ.  Same 
remarks. 

953,  Sad.;  Deep  Creek,  Utah,  October  5,  1868.  S^^— 7— (?)— IJ.  Bill,  black; 
commissure  and  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  dilute  brownish-lilac;  iris,  bister;  tarsi 
and  toes,  uniform  sepia. 

1400,  nest  and  eggs;  valley  of  Weber  River,  June,  1869.    [J.  O.  Olmsted.] 

Geothlypis  macgillivrayi. 

McOillivray's  \¥arbler. 

Sylvia  macgillivrayi,  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  V,  1839,  75,  pi.  399,  figs.  4,  5. 
Geothlypis  macgillivrayi,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am^  1858,  244,  pi.  99,  fig.  4;  Catal.,  1859, 

No.  173;  Review,  1865,  227.— Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  96.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 

107 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  99.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  303,  pi. 

XV,  figs.  4,  5.— Henshaw,  1875,  205. 
Oeothlypis  Philadelphia  var.  macgillivrayi,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill, 

July,  1872,  175.— RiDGWAY,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.  &  Arts,  Dec,  1872, 459. 
Oeothlypis  Philadelphia,  a.  macgillivrayi,  Coues,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  75. 

Representing  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat  in  the  mountains,  this  species 
w^as  found  in  all  the  fertile  canons  from  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  the  Uintahs. 
It  inhabited  the  rank  herbage  near  the  streams,  or  the  undergrowth  of  the 
thickets  and  aspen  copses.  We  did  not  hear  the  song  of  this  species,  but 
were  very  familiar  with  its  ordinary  note,  a  strong  chip,  greatly  resembling 
that  of  the  Indigo-bird,  or  its  western  representative  {Cyanospka  cyanea  and 
C.  a/:noena),  the  notes  of  both  old  and  young  being  alike. 

List  of  specimens, 

175,  9  juv.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  9, 1867.  5J — 1^-^ — 
2^7- — 2^^—^-^ — I — 2J— IJ.  Upper  mandible,  brownish-black;  commissure  and  lower 
mandible,  brownish  lilaceous-white,  the  latter  darker  terminally ;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and 
toes,  brownish-white. 

900,  ^  juv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada  (Camp  23),  September  6, 1808. 
5 J — 7^--(?) — 2^^^.    Iris,  grayish-sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  pinkish- white. 

906,  (J  a^.;  •  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  8,  1868.  5y^^~7|— (?)— 2J. 
Upper  mandible,  brownish-plumbeous,  paler  toward  commissure;  lower,  paler  brown- 
ish, lilaceous- white,  darker  terminally;  iris,  grayish-sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-white. 


436  ORNITHOLOGY, 

1258, 1259,  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utab,"  June  23, 
18GD.  Kests  about  eighteen  inches  above  the  ground,  in  small  briers  or  bushes,  in 
weedy  undergrowth  near  stream.    (Parents  of  both  shot.) 

1307,  nest  and  eggs  (4)  j  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.  Nest  in  bush,  about  a  foot 
from  ground. 

1365,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Uintah  Mountains,  July  3,  1869.  Nest  among  under- 
growth of  aspen-grove,  in  bush,  a  foot  from  ground. 

1380,  ^jui?.;  Uintah  Mountains,  July  7, 1809.  5|-.7§.  Bill,  black,  the  commissure 
and  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible,  deep  lilaceous;  iris,  brown  j  tarsi,  light  lila- 
ceousbrown ;  toes,  darker. 

US2,Sjuv,;  Parley's  Park,  July  19,  1809.  5J--7J.  Upper  mandible,  black,  the 
tomium  white  j  lower,  lilaceouswhite,  the  terminal  third  dusky  j  iris,  brown;  tarsi,  pur- 
plish-brown; toes,  dark  brown. 


ICTEEIA  VIRENS. 
Yellow-breasted  Cliat. 

/?.  longicauda — Long-tailed  Chat 

Icteria  longicand4Z^  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  K.  H.,  N.  Y.,  VI,  April,  1853,  4. — 
Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  249,  pi.  34,  iig.  2;  Catal,  1859,  No.  177;  Eeview, 
1865,  230.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  98. 

Icteria  virem  var.  ion<jficawc?a,  CouBS,  Key,  1872,  108;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  100a. 
— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1, 1874,  309.-.HENSHAW,  1875,  206. 

Icteria  virem.  b.  longicauda,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  77. 

The  distribution  of  the  Yellow-breasted  Chat  coiresponds  so  nearly  with 
that  of  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  that  they  were  generally  to  be  found  in 
the  same  thicket;  but  its  vertical  range  is  somewhat  greater,  it  being  fre- 
quently met  with  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  caiions.  It  was  equally  common 
in  California  and  the  Interior,  and  appeared  to  be  in  all  respects  the  same 
bird  as  the  eastern  race.  Its  song  during  the  breeding-season,  like  that  of  the 
eastern  bird,  is  conspicuous  from  its  extreme  oddity,  as  well  as  for  its  power 
and  variety;  and  we  were  often  awakened  at  midnight  by  its  notes,  when, 
but  for  the  yelping  of  the  prowling  Coyotes  {Cams  latrans)^  the  stillness 
would  have  been  unbroken.  It  was  also  observed  that  they  were  partic- 
ularly musical  on  bright  moonlight  nights. 

List  of  specimens,  ^ 

23,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  California,  June  11, 1807.  Nest  in  wild-rose 
brier,  among  undergrowth  of  oak  grove. 


MYIODIOCTBS  PUSILLUS.  437 

49,  <J  ad.  (parent  of  No.  48) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  17,  1867.  7f — lOJ— 
^{^ — 2|~| — /g — 3g — IJ.  Bill,  entirely  pure  black;  whole  inside  of  mouth,  intense 
black;  iris,  hiizel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  slate-blue. 

165,  ?  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  18),  September  4, 1867.  75— lOJ— 
^i— ^if—fi — 1^— 35— Uf*  Upper  mandible,  horn-black,  tomium  bluish-white;  lower 
mandible,  lilaceous  white,  point  of  gonys,  black;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous^ 
without  any  shade  of  blue. 

168,  <J  ad,;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  7, 1867.  8— 10— 3f — 2{|— y\— 
II — *ij\ — If.  Upper  mandible,  horn-black,  tomium  bluish-ichite ;  lower  mandible, pearl- 
white,  tip  of  gonys,  black;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  plumbeous. 

48,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Sacramento,  June  17,  1867.  Nest  abont  three  feet  from 
ground,  in  thorny  bush  in  dense  thicket. 

568,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Reservation,  May  15,  1868.  75— 10— 2|.  Bill,  and  whole 
interior  of  mouth,  intense  black;  iris,  blackish-brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous. 


MyIODIOCTES   PUSILLUS. 
Black-capped  ¥cllow  l¥arblcr. 

a.  pusillus. 

Muscicapa; pusilla,  Wilson,  Am,  Orn.,  Ill,  1811,  103,  pi.  26,  fig.  4. 

Myiodioctes  pusillus,  Bonap.,  Consp.  Av.,  I,  18(50,  315. — Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 

293  (part);  Catal,,  1859,  No.  211;  Review,  1885,  240  (parr).— Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  101.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  109,  fig.  50  (part);  Check  List,  1873,  No.  102; 

B,  N.W.,  1874,  79  (part).— B.  B.  &  11.,  Hist.  N.  Am,  B.,  I,  1874,  317,  pi.  xvi, 

figs.  3,  4,— Henshaw,  1875,  207. 
Myiodioctes  pusillus  var.  pusillus,  liiDawAY,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.  &  Arts,  Dec,  1872, 

457. 

jS.  pileolata. 

Myiodioctes  pusillus  (part),  Atjct, 

.  Motacillapileolata,  Pallas,  Zoog,  Bosso-As.,  1, 1811,  407, 
Myiodioctes  pusillm  var.  pileolata,  RiDaw.,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.  &  Arts,  Dec,  1872, 
457.— B.B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am,  B.,  I,  1874,  319, 

This  sprightly  Warbler  was  not  seen  at  Sacramento,  but  in  the  valley 
of  the  Truckee,  and  in  many  suitable  localities  to  the  eastward,  it  was  a 
rare  summer  resident,  becoming  exceedingly  numerous  in  autumn.  Its 
haunts  during  the  breeding-season  were  much  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Summer  Yellow-bird  {Dendrosca  cestiva),  but  in  September  it  was  most 
abundant  in  the  shrubbery  along  the  cailon  streams. 


438  ORNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  ^ecimens. 
a.  pusillus. 

203,  i  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  20, 1867.  4j|— G|— 2|— q|-~| 
— }J— 1||— f ^.  Tipper  mandible,  blackish  horn-color  edged  with  pale  brownish ;  lower 
mandible,  pale  lilaceous-brown;  iris,  brown  j  tarsi  and  toes,  yellowish  brown,  the  former 
strongly  stained  with  yellow  posteriorly. 

880,  <?  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  29, 1868.  5J— 6J— ( ! )— 1^.  Upper 
mandible,  deep-black,  tomium  edged  with  lilaceous;  lower,  dilute-lilac,  more  whitish 
beneath;  iris,  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  brownish-yellow, the  tarsi  more  sulphury, 
the  toes  deeper. 

SSI,  i  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  1,  1868.  5— 7-— (?)— 2.  Upper 
mandible,  blackish-olivaceous,  tomium  and  lower  mandible,  dilute  reddish  lilaceous- 
brown;  iris,  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  olivaceous-yellow. 

888,  9  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  4J — 6J — IJ.  Tarsi,  pale  purplish-brown ;  toes, 
olive-yellow. 

1039,  9  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  May  24, 1869.  4|— 7.  Ui)per  man- 
dible, brownish-black ;  lower,  paler,  basal  two-thirds,  pale  wood-brown ;  iris,  brown  ; 
tarsi  and  toes,  dilute-brown. 

/?.  pileolata. 

120,  S  ad.;  valley  of  the  Truckee,  Nevada,  August  6,  1867.  5— 6/^— 2^^  Bill, 
delicate  pinkish  horn-color, darker  on  the  culmen;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute 
horn-color,  stained  with  yellow. 

166,  ?  ad.;  valley  of  the  Lower  Humboldt,  Nevada,  September  5, 1867.  4f — 6f  |— - 
2J.  Bill, dark  horn-color,  lower  mandible  paler,  dilute  brown  basally ;  iris,  dark  hazel; 
tarsi  and  toes,  horn-color,  latter  yellowish  beneath. 

176,$  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  9,  1867.  5J— 6|— 2/^.  Bill, 
dark  horn-color,  paler  beneath, the  lower  mandible  inclining  to  lilaceous;  iris, hazel; 
tarsi  and  toes,  pale  livid  horn-color. 

Setophaga  RUTICILLA. 

Anieri€aii  Redstart* 

Muscicapa  ruticilla,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  326. 

Setophaga  ruticilla^  Swains.,  Zool.  Jour.,  Ill,  1827,  358.— Bated,  Birds  K  Am., 

1858, 297;  Oatal.,  1859,  No.  217 ;  Review,  1865, 256.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  110; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  104;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  81.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1, 1874,  319,  pi.  XVi,  figs.  1,  5.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  209. 

This  beautiful  little  bird  was  common  in  summer  throughout  the  Wah- 
satch  district,  being  one  of  several  eastern  species  which  have  their  westward 
range  limited  only  by  the  commencement  of  the  arid  and  treeless  region 
of  the  Great  Basin.  It  was  abundant  in  the  valleys  and  the  lower  portion 
of  the  canons,  but  it  did  not  extend  far  up  into  the  mountains.  A  few  were 
seen,  in  June,  in  the  orchard  of  the  *^  Church  Ranche,"  on  Antelope  Island. 


PEOGNE  S0BIS.  439 

List  of  specimens. 

1104,^  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  Jane 4, 1869.  5|— 7|.  Bill, 
tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black ;  iris,  brown. 

Family  HIRUNDINIDJE— Swallows. 
Peogne  subis.    . 

Purple  JUartio. 

Eirundo  subis,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.  (10th  ed.),  1758,  192. 

Prague  suhis,  Baird,  Eeview  Am.  B.,  1865,  274.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I, 

1874,  329,  pi.  XVI,  figs.  7, 10.— Henshaw,  1875,  213. 
Eirundo  purpurea,  LiNN.,  Syst.  Nat.  (12th  ed.),  17GC,  344. 
Frogne  purpurea,  BoiE,  Isis,  1826,  971.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  314;  Catal., 

1859,  No.  231.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  113.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 114;  Check  List, 

1873,  No.  117 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  91. 

In  the  more  thickly-populated  districts  of  California,  the  handsome 
Purple  Martin  has  become,  as  it  has  long  since  in  the  Eastern  States, 
semi-domesticated,  and  almost  entirely  allured  from  its  original  haunts,  the 
forests,  by  the  superior  advantages  afforded  by  the  surroundings  of  civilized 
man ;  but  in  the  more  scantily-settled  Interior  it  was  found  still  retaining 
its  primitive  habits.  In  the  cities  of  San  Francisco  and  Sacramento  it  was 
a  very  abundant  species,  while  eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  it  was  rare, 
except  among  the  aspen  woods  of  the  pine-region  on  certain  of  the  higher 
mountain  ranges.  In  Carson  City  it  was  not  common,  while  in  Virginia 
City  but  a  single  individual  was  seen,  the  date  being  June  18, 1868.  Among 
the  aspens  of  the  Wahsatch,  near  Parley's  Park,  however,  it  was  extremely 
abundant,  and  nested  in  the  deserted  or  captured  excavations  of  the  Red- 
naped  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus  nuchalis),  most  of  which  were  bored  into 
the  trunks  of  living  trees,  these  holes  being  freely  shared  with  the  White- 
bellied  Swallows  {Tachycineta  bicolor). 

As  a  rule,  the  Swallows,  although  true  Oscines,  are  not  considered 
singers;  the  present  species,  however,  is  at  least  one  notable  exception,  since 
it  is  a  warbler  of  high  merit.  Often  have  we  reclined  on  some  mossy  or 
fern- covered  bank  beneath  the  aspens,  and  given  respectful  attention  to  the 
performance  of  a  voluble  male  Purple  Martin,  as,  with  glossy  violet  head 


440  OENITHOLOGY. 

thrust  from  the  entrance  to  his  nest,  he  entertained  his  mate  with  liquid 
warblings,  varied  by  sweet  cadences,  his  throat  swelling  and  vibrating 
with  the  volume  of  his  song. 

Pbtrochelidok  luniprons. 

Cliff  Swallow. 

Siruncb  lunifronSy  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1823,  47.— Baird,  B.  N.  Aai.,  1858, 

309  5  Catal,  1859,  No.  226.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal,  104. 
Petrochelidon  lunifrons,  SOLATER,  Cat.  Am.  B.,  1862,  40.— Baird,  Review,  18G5, 

288.— COTJES,  Key,  1872, 114;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  114;  B.  N.W.,  1874,88. 

— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  334,  pi.  xvi,  13.— Henshaw,  1875,  215. 

The  first  land-bird  observ^ed  after  arriving  at  San  Francisco,  was  this 
familiar  and  widely-diflEused  species,  multitudes  of  which  were  observed  to 
swarm  about  certain  old  buildings  along  with  smaller  numbers  of  Purple 
Martins  {Progne  stibis).  It  was  also  noticed  along  every  portion  of  our 
route  across  the  Great  Basin,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  rivers  or  lakes, 
or  at  the  settlements,  whether  large  or  small.  The  species  may  be  consid- 
ered the  most  abundant  one  of  the  family  throughout  the  West,  the  next 
in  order  being  the  White-bellied  and  Eough- winged  Swallows  {Tachjcineta 
hicolor  and  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis).  In  localities  most  remote  from  settle- 
ments it  of  course  built  its  nest  only  on  the  face  of  overhanging  cliflfs,  but 
if  near  a  settlement,  any  large  building,  as  a  baiii  or  church,  was  almost 
sure  to  be  selected  ;  in  either  case,  vast  numbers  congregating  together  and 
fixing  their  peculiar  gourd-shaped  nests  side  by  side  or  upon  each  other,  the 
same  as  in  the  east.  It  was  not  observed  to  build  in  any  other  way,  and 
it  is  probable  that  the  nesting-habits  of  this  species  are  less  variable  than 
those  of  its  kindred,  excepting,  perhaps,  the  common  Barn  Swallow  {Hirundo 
}iorreorum\  which  differs  chiefly  in  selecting  caves  or  the  interior  of  dwell- 
ings, and  in  being  not  gi-egarious. 

LiBt  of  specimens. 

852,  <J  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  July  22,  1868.  6— 12|— (?)— 3|. 
Bill,  deep  black  ;  interior  of  moutb,  pinkish-dusky;  iris,  dark  claret-brown  ;  tarsi  and 
toes,  dark  horn-color. 

871,  egg  (1) ;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  25, 1868.  Nest  attached  to  side 
of  a  rafter,  underneath  roof  of  a  shed,  at  ranche. 


HIBUNDO  HOKREOEUM— TACHYCINETA  BIOOLOR.  441 

HlEtTNDO  EBYTHROGASTER. 
Bam  Swallow. 

/?.  horreorum? 

Eirundo  Jiorreorum,  Barton,  Frag.  Kat.  Hist.  Penn'a,  1799, 17.— Baibd,  Birds  K 
Am.,  1858,  308;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  225;  Eeview,  1865,  204.— Cooper,  Oru. 
Cal.,  103.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  113,  fig.  54;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  Ill ;  Birds 
N.W.,  1874,  85.-«B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1, 1874,  339,  pi.  xvi,  fig. 
9.— Henshaw,  1875,  217. 

Although  inhabiting  the  same  localities  as  the  Cliff  Swallow,  the  pres- 
ent species  was  observed  to  be  everywhere  much  less  numerous.  It  was 
most  common  along  the  shore  and  on  the  islands  of  Pyramid  Lake,  where 
it  nested  among  the  tufa  domes,  each  nest  being  attached  to  the  ceiling  of 
a  cave  among  the  rocks.  In  few  instances  were  more  than  a  single  pair 
found  in  one  cave.  Several  nests  were  also  found  in  caverns  among  the  lime- 
stone cliffs  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Ruby  Mountains. 

List  of  specimens. 

408,  (?  ad,;  valley  of  the  Humboldt,  September,  1867. 

1151,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  26, 1869. 
Nest  in  stable,  attached  to  rafter. 

Tachyoineta  BICOLOR. 

Wliite*l>cllled  Swallow. 

Hirnndo  bicolor,  Vieillot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I,  1807,  61,  pi.  31.— Baird,  Birds  N. 

Am.,  1858,310;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  227;  Review,  1865,  297.-rC<)OPER,  Orn. 

Cal.,  106.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  344,  pi.  xvi,  fig.  8. 
Tachycineta  bicolor^  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  1850,  48.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  113; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  112;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  86.— Henshaw,  1875,  217. 

This  species  and  the  Purple  Martin  were  the  only  Swallows  which  were 

^It  is  not  yet  satisfactorily  determined  whether  the  North  American  birds  of  this 
species  differ  constantly  from  South  American  examples  to  the  extent  that  the  two 
series  may  be  separated  as  geographical  races.  In  case  they  should  not  prove  thus 
constantly  different,  the  proper  name  of  the  North  American  bird  is  JEC,  erythrogaster, 
Boddaert,  while  the  following  synonyms  are  to  be  added  to  the  above  citations: — 

Hirundo  erythrogaster,  Bonn.,  Tabl.  PI.  enl.  (724,  fig.  1),  1783,  45  (Cayenne).— 
ScLATER,  Catal.  Am.  Birds,  1861,  39  (Brazil). 

mrundo  rufa,  Gm.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  1018  (PL  enl.,  724,  fig.  1).— BURM.,  Ucb., 
Ill,  148  (Brazil). 

Hirundo  ofanopyrrha,  Vieill.,  Nouv.  Diet.,  XVI,  1817,  510. 


442  ORNITHOLOGY. 

confined  strictly  to  wooded  districts  or  to  settlements,  their  distribution 
being  much  the  same,  except  that,  in  the  case  of  wooded  localities,  the  former 
was  most  abundant  in  the  river- valleys,  while  the  latter  occurred  oftenest 
on  the  mountains.  Among  the  cotton-woods  of  the  Lower  Truckee,  near 
Pyramid  Lake,  in  May,  the  White-bellied  Swallow  abounded  more  than 
elsewhere,  and  every  knot-hole  or  other  cavity  among  the  trees  seemed  to 
have  been  taken  possession  of  by  a  pair.  They  were  then  engaged  in 
building  their  nests,  and  throughout  the  day  would  come  to  the  door- 
yard  of  the  Reservation-house  to  pick  up  the  feathers,  or  bits  of  rag  or 
paper,  scattered  about  the  ground,  after  hurriedly  seizing  which  they  would 
fly  with  the  article  selected  in  a  direct  line  to  their  nests.  As  they  sat  on 
the  ground,  they  were  beautiful  httle  birds,  and  though  they  squatted  some- 
what awkwardly,  on  account  of  the  smallness  of  their  feet,  they  raised  their 
heads  so  proudly,  and  glanced  so  sharply,  yet  timidly,  about  them,  that 
they  seemed  graceful  in  their  motions;  while  each  movement  caused  the 
sunlight  to  glance  from  their  burnished  backs  of  lustrous  steel-blue,  with 
which  the  snowy  white  of  their  breasts  contrasted  so  strikingly.  Although 
the  object  picked  up  was  most  often  a  feather,  it  occasionally  happened 
that  one  would  take  hold  of  a  string,  or  a  long  shred  of  cloth,  perhaps  a 
yard  or  more  in  length,  in  which  case,  so  conspicuous  an  object  was  certain 
to  be  seized  upon  by  others,  as  the  bearer  labored  to  carry  it  to  his  nest, 
thus  becoming  the  subject  of  quite  a  struggle,  and  much  twittering. 

The  White-bellied  Swallow  was  by  no  means  confined  to  the  wooded 
river- valleys,  however,  but  it  was  equally  abundant  among  the  aspen  woods, 
high  up  in  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  at  an  altitude  of  8,000  or  9,000  feet;  it 
was  also  common  in  the  Sacramento  Vallej^,  but  a  few  feet  above  sea-level, 
among  the  oak  trees  of  the  plain.  Neither  is  it  invariably  arboreal,  for  it 
seems  to  have  become,  in  certain  localities,  more  ** civilized,"  like  its  cousin, 
the  Purple  Martin,  and  to  have  taken  advantage  of  the  abode  of  man 
in  localities  where  there  are  no  trees  to  accommodate  them.  Such  was 
conspicuously  the  case  at  Carson  City,  where  they  were  quite  numerous, 
and  built  their  nests  under  the  eaves,  behind  the  weather-boarding,  or  about 
the  porches  of  dwellings  or  other  buildings,  and  were  quite  familiar.  The 
specimens  in  the  collection  were  shot  on  the  wing;  and  when  one  was 


TACHYCINETA  THALASSINA.  443 

brought  down  the  rest  would  exhibit  great  concern,  cu-cHng  about  the 
victim,  and  uttering  a  plaintive  twitter,  as  their  suffering  companion  lay 
fluttering  on  the  ground. 

List  of  specimens. 

473,  ?«(?.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  30, 1868.  6— 13— 4| — ^.  Bill, deep  black; 
interior  of  mouthy  fleshy  white;  tarsi  aud  toes,  dark  sepia,  tho  latter  pinkish  beneath. 

474,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  30, 1868.  5f — .13— 4f — 4^^.  Interior  of 
mouth  J  pale  yellow. 

475,  ?  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  30,  1868.  6— 12§— 4|— 3if .  Interior  of 
mouthy  fleshy  white, 

748,  eggs ;  Truckee  Bottom  s,  May  19, 1868.  Nest  of  straw  and  feathers,  in  deserted 
woodpecker's  hole,  in  willow  tree. 

768,  769,  eggs  (3—4)  j  Truckee  Bottoms,  May  29, 1868.  Nests  with  same  location, 
etc.,  as  preceding. 

1038,  <J  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  24, 1869.  6—13.  Bill,  black  5  iris,  brown ; 
feet,  dark  purplish-brown. 

1416,  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  16, 1869.  Eggs 
in  knot-hole  in  aspen-tree.    Nest  of  feathers. 

1484,  i  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  30,  1869.  5f — 12. 
Bill,  black;  rictus  and  interior  of  mouth,  yellow;  iris,  brown;  feet,  dark  livid  sepia. 

1485,  S  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  30,  1869.  5§— llf . 
Feety  light  pink, 

TaCHYCINETA  THALASSINA. 
Tiolct-grcen  Swalloiv. 

Eirundo  thalassina^  Swainson,  Philos.  Mag.,  I,  1827, 365.— Baied,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  311;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  228;  Keview,  1865,  299.— Cooper,  Orn,  Cal., 
107.— B.  B.  &  K.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1874,  347,  pi.  xvi,  fig.  11. 

Tachycineta  thalassina,  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  1850,  48.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  113; 
Check  List,  1873,  No.  113;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  86.— Henshaw,  1875,  217. 

The  beautiful  Violet-green  Swallow  was  first  seen  on  the  main  island  in 
Pyramid  Lake,  during  the  month  of  May.  They  were  very  abundant,  and 
frequented  chiefly  the  cliffs  of  calcareous  tufa,  where  they  were  observed 
to  enter  the  fissures  of  the  rock  to  their  nests  within.  In  July  we  saw  it 
again  among  the  limestone  walls  of  the  eastern  cafions  of  the  Ruby 
Mountains,  where  it  also  nested  in  the  crevices  on  the  face  of  the  cliffs,  its 
associates  being  the  White-throated  Swift  {Panyptila  saxatilis),  and  Cliff 
Swallow  (Petrochelidon  lunifrons).     Their  nests  were  in  almost  every  case 


444  ORNITHOLOGY. 

out  of  reach,  onlj^  two  of  those  that  were  found  being  accessible.  Both 
were  in  horizontal  fissures,  scarcely  large  enough  to  admit  the  hand ;  the 
nest  consisting  of  a  flattened  mass  of  sticks  and  straws,  lined  with  feathers, 
like  those  of  the  Bank  Swallows  ( Cotyle  and  Stelgidopteryx) ;  one  of  them 
contained  five  young  birds,  but  the  other  had  apparently  been  tampered 
with  in  some  way,  since  the  parent  was  dead  and  her  three  eggs  broken. 
The  latter,  like  those  of  T.  bicolor  and  the  two  species  above  mentioned, 
were  pure  white,  without  markings. 

Although  other  observers,  whose  statements  we  do  not  in  the  least 
doubt,  have  described  the  habits  of  this  bird  as  arboreal,  like  those  of  tlie 
White-bellied  Swallow  (T.  bicolor)  and  the  Purple  Martin,  we  never  found 
it  so  in  any  locality  during  our  trip,  it  being  everywhere  a  strictly  saxico- 
line  species,  and  an  associate  of  Panyptila  saxatilis,  Petrochelidon  lunifrons^  and 
Hirundo  horreorum  rather  than  of  the  species  named,  and  to  be  found  only 
where  precipitous  rocks,  affording  suitable  fissures,  occurred.  When  on  the 
wing  the  appearance  of  this  lovely  Swallow  is  very  striking,  and  so  unlike  that 
of  any  other  that  it  may  be  immediately  distinguished.  No  other  species 
resembles  it  except  the  T.  bicolor^  which  is  somewhat  similar  on  account  of 
the  pure  white  lower  parts ;  but  a  more  attentive  examination  discovers  the 
gi'eater  amount  of  white  on  the  side  of  the  head,  and  if  the  bird  is  viewed 
from  above  the  plumage  is  seen  to  be  tricolored — the  rump  rich  intense 
violet,  and  the  back  lustrous  green,  the  two  colors  being  separated  by  a 
very  conspicuous,  broad,  and  apparently  continuous,  band  of  snowy  white 
across  the  upper  part  of  the  rump,  caused  by  the  close  approximation  of  the 
two  white  flank-patches. 

This  Swallow  appeared  to  be  a  very  silent  species,  but  a  few  notes 
were  heard,  which  called  to  mind  the  chirping  of  young  Purple  Martins,  as 
heard  in  rainy  weather. 

List  of  specimens, 

70l,<Jad;  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  Xevada,  May  23,  18G8,  5i— I2f— (?)— 4f 
Bill, deep  black;  iris,  buiat-uaiber  5  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  sepia. 

847,  9  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  July  20, 1868.  5J— llg~(?)— 3g. 
Bill,  deep  black;  interior  of  mouth,  pale  naples-yellow ;  iris,  dark  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes, 
pale  sepia-purple. 

1070,  ?  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  (City  Creek  Oafion),  May  29, 1869. 


COTYLB  EIPARIA.  445 

COTYLB  EIPARIA. 

Bank  Swallow. 

Elrundo  riparia,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 17G6, 344. 

Gotyle  riparia,  BoiB,  Isis,  1822,  550.--BAIBD,  B.  K  Am.,  1858,  313 ;  Oatal.,  1859, 
Ko.  229;  Review,  1865,  319.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  110.— CouES,  Key,  1872, 
114;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  115;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 90.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am. 
B.,  I,  1874,  353,  pi.  XVI,  fig.  14— Hbnshaw,  1875,  220. 

The  distribution  of  the  common  Bank  Swallow  was  the  same  as  that 
of  the  Rough-winged  species,  but  it  was  everywhere  less  abundant.  We 
never  found  it  except  when  associated  with  the  latter  bird,  and  its  habits 
and  appearance  seemed  so  much  the  same  that  it  required  somewhat  close 
observation  to  distinguish  them  readily.  The  pure  white  lower  parts, 
crossed  by  a  dusky  band  across  the  breast,  however,  served  as  a  good 
and  unfailing  mark  by  which  to  distinguish  the  present  species,  the  lower 
parts  of  the  Rough-winged  Swallow  being  uniform  mouse-color,  growing 
gradually  paler  behind ;  while  the  flight  of  the  Bank  Swallow  is  swifter 
and  more  graceful,  more  like  that  of  the  species  of  Tachycineta,  or  true 
Hirundo. 

While  on  the  Truckee  Reservation,  in  May,  it  was  daily  our  custom  to 
visit  a  small  pond,  situated  in  a  broad  meadow,  for  the  purpose  of  studying 
the  several  species  of  Swallows  which  came  there  in  large  numbers  every 
evening.  Having  taken  our  post  of  observation  a  little  before  sunset,  a 
few  individuals  of  the  Rough- winged  and  White-bellied  species  were  sure 
to  be  already  there,  having  but  a  few  rods  to  come  from  the  ravines  and 
cotton-woods  near  by.  In  a  short  time  the  Barn  Swallows  would  make 
their  appearance,  gliding  easily  and  swiftly  over  the  surface  of  the  water  in 
pursuit  of  their  insect-food.  Tliis  soon  became  the  most  abundant  species, 
excepting  the  Cliff  Swallow,  there  having  arrived  in  the  meantime  a  very 
few  individuals  of  the  Violet-green  and  Bank  Swallows,  the  latter  being  the 
least  numerous  of  all.  In  one  evening,  as  we  sat  on  the  grassy  bank  of  this 
pond,  we  killed  specimens  of  each  of  these  species  as  they  flew  by  us. 

List  of  specimens. 
1410, 1411, 1412,  eggs.  Valley  of  Weber  River,  June,  1869.  [J.  C.  Olmstead.j 


446  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Stelgidopteryx  SERRIPEKE^IS. 

Rough- wingred  Swallow* 

Hirundo  «em^e;r^,  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  IV,  1838,  593. 

Gotyle  serripennis,  BoNAP.,  Cousp^  Av.,  1, 1850, 342.— Baird,  B.  K  Am.,  1858, 313 ; 

CataL,  1859,  No.  230.— Goopee,  Oro.  Gal^  110. 
Stelgidopteryx  serripennis,  Baird,  Review  Am.  B.,  1835^316. — CouES,  Key,  1872, 

1 14 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  116  j  B.  N.  W.,  1874,  90.— B.  B,  &  R,,  Hist.  N.  Am. 

B.,  I,  1874,  350,  pL  XVI,  fig.  12.— HbnshaW,  1875,  219. 

Next  to  the  CliflF  and  White-bellied  Swallows,  this  was  the  most  abun- 
dant species  of  the  family.  It  was  found  only  in  the  river- valleys,  however, 
or  in  the  lower  ravines  of  the  mountains,  where,  in  company  with  the  Bank 
Swallow,  it  excavated  the  earthy  banks  or  took  possession  of  holes  dug  by 
the  Kingfisher  {Ceryle  alcyon).  Its  habits  in  general  are  quite  similar  to 
those  of  the  species  with  which  it  so  freely  associates. 

lAst  of  specimens. 

534,  9  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  25, 1868.  5J— 11^— 4^V-^^-  ^^^^N  ^ack ; 
irirt,  bister ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  horn-sepia. 

1194,  9  ad,;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  June  21,  1869.  5— 11  J.  Bill,  deep  black  5  iris, 
brown;  feet, black. 

1409,  eggs;  valley  of  Weber  River,  June,  1869.    [J.  C.  Olmstead.] 

Family  AMPELIDiE — ^Wax-wings  or  Chatterers. 
Ampelis  cedrorum. 

Cedar-bird. 

Bombycilla  cedrorum^  Vieillot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  1, 1807,  88,  pi.  57. 

Ampelis  cedrorum^  Solatbb,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1856,  299. — Baied,  Birds  N. 

Am.,  1858,  318;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  233;  Review,  1866,  407.— Cooper,  Oru. 

Cal.,  129.— CoUES,  Key,  1872, 115,  pi.  56;  Check  List,  1873, 119;  Birds  N.W., 

1874,  93.— B.  B.  &  R ,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1874,  401,  pi.  xvm,  fig.  2.— 

Henshaw,  1876,  229. 

At  only  one  locality  did  we  meet  with  this  elegant  bird,  and  that  was 
in  the  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  where  it  was  common  in  September  in  the 
thickets  along  the  streams  flowing  from  the  Clover  Mountains.  It  was 
found  in  small  companies,  feeding  on  the  fruit  of  a  species  of  thorn-apple, 
or  haw  (Cratcegm  rivularis)^  which  abounded  in  the  thickets. 


PH^NOPEPLA  NITENS.  447 

List  of  specimens. 


915,  Sad.;  Bearing's  Ranch,  Upper  Humboldt  Vallej,  September  10, 1808.  7^^- 
11 J — (?) — 3J.    Bill,  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black  ;  iris,  purplisb-brown. 
016,  $  ad.    Same  date,  locality,  and  remarks.    7^ — ll| — (^)— ^« 


?Ph^nopepla  NITEIS^S. 

Sliiningr  Ptiloy^onys. 

Ptiliogonys  nitens^  SwAiNSON,  Anim.  Menag.,  1838,  285. 

Cichlopsis  nitensj  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  320,  923. 

PhcBn&pepla  nitens,  SCLATEB,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1858,  543.  — Baird,  Cat.  N. 
Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  234;  Review,  186(>,  416.— Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  131.— 
CoUES,  Key,  1872,  116;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  120.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N. 
Am.  Birds,  1, 1874,  405,  pi.  xviii,  figs.  3,  4.— Henshaw,  1875,  229. 

On  several  occasions  we  heard,  among  the  cedar  and  pition  woods  of 
the  desert  ranges  in  western  Nevada,  a  note  so  similar  to  the  prolonged, 
querulous,  rattling  call  of  Nuttall's  Woodpecker  {Picus  nuttalli),  that  we 
entered  the  fact  among  our  notes  as  evidence  of  the  occurrence  of  that 
species  eastward  of  the  Sierra.  We  could  never  see  the  author  of  these 
notes,  however,  until,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1868,  when  exploring  the 
Soda  Lakes  of  the  Carson  Desert,  we  heard  near  by,  in  a  ravine  of 
that  remarkable  locality,  the  same  familiar  call  and  immediately  started  in 
search  of  the  bird  which  produced  it.  It  was  soon  discovered,  perched 
upon  the  summit  of  a  large  grease-wood  bush,  but  at  our  approach 
immediately  took  wing,  and,  notwithstanding  every  artifice  and  caution 
on  our  part,  kept  out  of  gunshot  range,  although  enticing  us  on  by  fre- 
quent halts,  during  which  it  perched  upon  the  topmost  branch  of  the  most 
prominent  bushes.  At  each  flight  the  peculiar  rattling  call  referred  to  was 
uttered,  so  that  the  bird  so  long  sought  was  at  last  before  us.  We  were 
greatly  surprised,  however,  to  find  that  it  was  not  the  species  we  had  sup- 
posed, but  one  we  had  never  seen  before. 

Several  shots  were  fired  at  it  during  the  most  favorable  opportunities, 
but  it  escaped  unscathed,  and  we  were  therefore  unable  to  identify  it  with 
certainty.  The  appearance  of  the  bird  was  so  remarkable  that  we  are  able 
to  refer  it  to  only  one  known  North  American  species — the  Phcenopepla 
nitenSj  with  the  female  or  young  male  of  which  it  corresponded  in  plumage, 


448  OR]>rlTliOLOGY. 

as  well  as  could  be  ascertained  from  the  distant  view  obtained.  In  its 
motionless  attitude  while  perched,  it  called  to  mind  Oreoscoptes  montanus, 
which  it  closely  resembled  in  size,  general  form,  and  dull,  grayish  colors; 
but  when  it  flew  its  markings  were  more  varied,  the  ivings  presenting  a  large 
white  patchy  apparently  on  the  primaries.  The  manner  of  its  flight  was  quite 
similar  to  that  of  the  Mocking-bird  {Mimus  polgglottus),  the  wings  and  tail 
being  widely  spread;  while  the  resemblance  was  still  more  striking  from  the 
white  patch  on  the  primaries.  These  characteristics  correspond  well  with 
those  of  the  female  or  young  male  of  Phcenopepla  nitens,  so  that  all  circum- 
stances taken  into  consideration  render  it  extremely  probable  that  this 
species  is  a  rare  summer  inhabitant  of  the  desert  portions  of  western  Nevada, 
a  supposition  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  it  was  obtained  in  the  southern 
portion  of  the  State  by  Mr.  BischofF,  the  naturalist  of  Lieutenant  Wheeler's 
expedition,  in  1871. 

Family  VIREONIDJE— Geeenlets. 

ViEEOSYLVIA  GILVA. 
l¥arb]ing^  Virco^  or  Oreenlet. 

/?.  swainsoni. 

Vireo  swaimoni^  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  33G  (in  text,  sub  V,  gilvus). 

Vireosj^lvia  swainsonij  Batrd,  Review  Am  B.,  1866,  343. 

Vireosylvia  gilva  var.  stcamsoni^  Baibd,  in  Coop.  B.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  116.— B.  B.  & 

K.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  371.-.HENSHAW,  1875,  221. 
Vireo  gilvus  var.  swainsonij  CoVES^  Key,  1872,  121,  fig.  64;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

125a. 
Yireo  gilvus.  b,  swainsoni^  COUES,  B.  N. W.,  1874,  98. 

Few,  if  any,  of  the  western  birds  are  more  extensively  distributed 
or  more  abundant  than  this  Greenlet,  for  it  abides  in  all  fertile  localities. 
Altitude  makes  no  difference  with  it,  since  it  is  equally  common  among  the 
willows  or  cotton- woods  of  the  lowest  valleys  and  the  aspens  just  below 
the  timber-line — the  only  condition  required  being,  seemingly,  the  exist- 
ence of  deciduous  trees  or  shrubbery.  The  food  of  this  bird  consists  in 
summer  chiefly  of  worms  and  other  insects,  but  in  the  autumn  it  seems  to 
subsist  almost  exclusively  on  the  small  bluish  berries  of  a  species  of  cornel 
{Cornus  piibescens)^  which  grows  abundantly  along  the  mountain  streams. 


LANIVIREO  CASSINI.  449 

The  habits  and  notes  of  the  western  birds  of  this  species  are  in  all  respects 
like  those  of  the  eastern  ones. 

List  of  specimens. 

122,  ?  ad,;  valley  of  tbe  Truckee  (Camp  12),  August  6,1867.  5|— 8J— 2|i— 2|— 
T6~i— ^Tf— ^-  Upper  mandible,  dark  horn-color,  commissure  and  lower  mandible, 
lilaceous-wbite;  iris,  deep  brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  light  plumbeous-blue. 

153,  i  ad.;  valley  of  the  Humboldt  (Camp  17),  September  7, 1867.  5f\ — 8/^ — 2]-^ 
—H—l—^—H—\^'  Bill,  black,  commissure  and  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible, 
more  lilaceous;  iris,  hazel 3  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous-blue,  almost  ultramarine. 

177,  ?  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  18),  September  9, 1867.  5— 75— 2|-J- 
— 2J— g— § — 1  J— i^.    Same  remarks. 

180,  ?  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  10,  1867.  5J — 8— 2/g— 2f— j7_. 
—tg — ^4—1-  Upper  mandible,  slaty  horn-color,  tomium  edged  with  lilaceous;  lower, 
pearl- whitish  basally,  then  pale  blue,  the  tip  as  dark  as  the  upper  mandible;  iris, 
brown  5  tarsi  and  toes,  light  ashy-ultramarine. 

187,  S  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  12,  1867.  5J— 8|— 2}i— 2J-^ 
I — § — 2 — i|.    Same  remarks. 

809,  nest  and  eggs  (2)5  Fort  Churchill  (Carson  River),  Nevada,  June  24,  1808. 
j^est  in  cotton-wood  copse,  about  four  feet  from  ground.    Female  seen  on  nest. 

878,  ?  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  27,  1868.  5/g — 8}i — (I)— 2fL.. 
Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-black  with  lilaceous  edge;  lower,  plumbeous-blue  with 
lilaceous  glow  basally,  and  darker  terminally;  iris,  burnt-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  deli- 
cate light  ashy-blue. 

879,  (sex  unknown);  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  27,  1868.  5f— 8^— 
2y\.    Same  remarks. 

1109,  $  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  5,  1869.  5J— 8if.  Bill, 
dull  blackish,  the  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible  lilaceousbluish;  iris,  brown; 
tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous-blue. 

1251,  1252,  1253,  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah, 
June  23,  1869.    Nests  all  about  four  feet  from  grou\id,  in  aspens  of  a  grove. 

1317,  nest  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  June  27,  1867.    Aspens. 

1497,  i  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  August  10, 1869.  5jV-8}^.  Upper  mandible,  black- 
ish brown;  commissure  and  lower  mandible,  lilaceouss;  iris,  vandyke-brown;  tarsi  and 
toes,  fine  light  blue. 

1504,  S  ad,;  Parley's  Park,  August  12,  1869.    5|— 8|.    Same  remarks. 

Laotvireo  cassini. 

Cassin's  Vireo. 

Vireo  cassinij  Xantus,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1858,  117.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am., 

1858,  340,  pi.  78,  fig.  1 ;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  251. 
Lanivireo  solitarius  var.  cassinij  J3.  B.  &  II.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1 874, 377,  pi.  xvii,  fig. 9. 
Vireo  solitarius  var.  (?)  cassinij  Henshaw,  1875,  223. 
y  Vireo  soKtarius^^  (part),  Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  1, 1870, 117. 

This  rare  and  little-known  species  was  noticed  only  in  the  canons  of 
29  p  R 


450  ORNITHOLOGY. 

the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  where  it  was  not  uncommon  in  September. 
Those  found  had  probably  migrated  from  the  region  to  the  northwestward, 
or  from  the  Cascade  Mountains  or  the  country  adjacent,  since  examples  of 
Zonotrichia  coronata,  Pipilo  oregonus,  and  Melospiza  guttata  were  obtained  at 
the  same  place. 

List  of  specimens'. 

174,  ad,;  west  slope  of  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  9,  1867. 
H — 9 — 2|f— 2^ — ^ — ^^ — %V"~^'  Upper  mandible  black,  tomium  bluish-lilac;  lower 
mandible  pure  pale  blue,  the  tip  black;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  Hue  ashy-ultra- 
marine. 

217,  S  ad.;  east  slope  of  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  25, 1867.  5J— 
7H-^S-V^~i|-i-2i-}f  •    Same  remarks. 


Lanivieeo  solitaeius. 

Solitary  VIreo. 

Museicapa  solitaria^  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  11,  1810, 143,  pi.  17,  fig.  6. 

Vireo  solitariusj  Vieill.,  Kouv.  Diet.  Hist.  Nat.,  XI,  1817.-—Baird,  B.  K  Am., 
1858,  340;  Oatal.,  1859,  No.  250.— Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  117  (part).— CouES, 
Key,  1872,  6Q,  121;  Check  List,  1873,  127;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  90.— Henshaw, 
1875, 222. 

Vireosylvia  solitaria^  Baiud,  Review  Am.  B.,  1866,  347. 

Lanivireo  solitarius^  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  373,  pi.  xvii,  fig.  8. 

This  species  was  met  with  only  during  its  autumnal  migrations,  when  it 
seemed  to  be  not  uncommon  in  the  month  of  September  among  the  canon 
thickets  of  the  western  slope  of  the  Clover  Mountains.  A  single  specimen 
was  also  shot  in  a  buffalo-berry  thicket  in  Buena  Vista  Canon,  on  the  east- 
em  slope  of  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  in  September  of  the  preceding 
year.  It  is  still  a  question  whether  such  individuals  of  this  species  were 
migrants  from  the  higher  portions  of  the  mountains  or  from  a  more  northern 
region;  but  that  their  migration  was  not  vertical  is  most  probable. 

List  of  specimens. 

020,  i  ad.;  head  of  Hamboldt  Valley  (Camp  24),  September  11,  1868.  5y\— 9— 
(!)— 2|.  Bill  black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  plumbeous-blue;  iris,  burntumber; 
tarsi  and  toes,  fine  ashy-blue. 


LANIVIREO  PLUMBEUS— VIREO  PUSILLUS.  451 

Lanivireo  PLUMBEUS. 

liead-colored  Yireo. 

Vireo  plumheus,  COUES,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1866,  73;  Key,  1872,  122,  fig.  G. 
Vireosylvia plufnhea,  BAiRDf  Review  Am.  B.,  1866,  349. — Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  119. 
Vireo  soUtarius  v^iY,  plumbeusy  Ali^ki^jBxiW,  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  HI,  1872,176. — 

CouES,  Key,  1872,  351;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  127a;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 100,— 

Henshaw,  1875,  224. 
Lanivireo  solitariiis  var.  plumbeus^  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  377,  pi. 

XVII,  fig.  10. 

The  first  locality  where  we  met  with  this  species  in  traveling  eastward, 
was  tlie  eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains,  where  several  other  species 
characteristic  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  district  were  first  encountered,  as 
HelmintliopJiaga  virginice  and  Selasphorus  platycercus.  It  was  rather  common 
in  July  and  August,  its  usual  abode  being  the  cedar  and  nut-pine  groves  on 
the  lower  slopes  of  the  mountains,  along  with  Dendrceca  nigrescens  and  Hel- 
minthophaga  virginice,  or  in  the  brushwood  of  -the  ravines.  Certain  of  its 
notes  so  closely  resembled  those  of  Troglodytes  parkmanni  that  they  were 
hard  to  distinguish. 

List  of  specimens, 

858,  ad,  (sex  uuknownl;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  August  5,  1868. 
5f — 9J — (?) — 2y^^.  Bill,  plumbeous  black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible,  plumbeous- 
blue;  iris,  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  fine  asbyultramarine. 

861,  $  ad,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  5,  1868.  (Specimen  too  badly 
mutilated  for  measuring.)    Same  remarks  as  to  preceding. 

ViREO  PUSILLUS. 
L.east  Vlreo. 

Vireo  pusillus^  CoUES,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1866,  76. — Baird,  Review  Am. 
B.,  1866,  360.— Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  124.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  124;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  132.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  391,  pi.  xvil,  fig. 
14.— Henshaw,  1875,  226. 

This  Vireo  was  the  characteristic  and  most  abundant  species  at  Sac- 
ramento City,  where  it  inhabited  the  dense  willow  copses  along  with 
Empidonax  pusillus.  It  was  not  observed  anywhere  else  during  our  explo- 
rations, and  it  is  probable  that  its  northward  range  in  California  is  limited 
to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Sacramento  River.     Its  notes  most  resemble 


452  OENITHOLOGY. 

those  of  F.  helli^  of  the  eastern  prairie  districts,  but  they  are  somewhat 
different.  A  single  nest  was  found,  the  one  in  question  being  attached  to 
a  forked  twig  of  a  low  bush  among  the  undergrowth  of  a  dens^  willow 
copse;  it  was  about  three  feet  from  the  ground,  and  contained  no  eggs. 

List  of  specimens. 

47,  $  ad,;  Sacramento,  California,  June  17, 18G7.  SJ— 7— 2/^— lif— /^— i-|— 2y^^ 
— IJ.  Upper  mandible,  dusky ;  lower,  brownish- white;  iris,  dark  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes, 
fine  ))lunibeous-blue. 

55,  S  ad,;  Sacramento,  June  18, 1867.  5— 7— 2f^^l5-~|— -}J— -2^— IJ.  Bill,  black- 
ish-brown, commissure  and  lower  mandible,  pale  brownish-lilaceous;  iris,  dark  ha^el; 
tarsi  and  toes,  deep  ashy-ultramarine. 


Family  LANIID^— Shrikes  or  Butcher  Birds. 

COLLURIO  EOREALIS. 

Great  Northern  Slirlke. 

Lanius  horealis^  Vietllot,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  1, 1807,  90,  pi.  50. 

Collyrio  borealis,  Baihd,  Birds  K.  Am.,  1858,3245  Cat.  K.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 

236. 
CoUurio  horeaUsyfBAinj)^  Review  Am,  B.,  1866,  440.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  137.— 

CoTJES,  Key,  1872, 125,  fig.  73  5  Check  List,  1873,  No.  134 ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 

lOl.^B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  415,  pi.  xix,  figs.  1,  2— Hen- 

SHAW,  1875,  233. 

During  the  winter  of  our  residence  at  Carson  City,  several  examples  of 
this  northern  bird  were  seen,  but  it  was  at  all  times  less  common  than 
the  smaller  species  (C  excuUtoroides),  and  seemed  to  be  confined  to  the  shel- 
tered ravines  among  the  foot-hills  of  the  mountains.  Those  observed  were 
perched  on  the  summits  of  the  willows  along  a  stream,  patiently  surveying 
the  surrounding  fields  and  thickets,  after  the  manner  of  other  species  of  the 
genus. 

List  of  specimens. 

412,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  IS^evada,  February  21,  1868.  10|-^14J— 4|i— 3ii.  Bill, 
dull  black,  lower  mandible  more  ashy,  duller  basally;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes, 
black. 

455,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  25, 18G8.  lO^J—Ug— 14}|-^3J.  Bill,  nearly  uni- 
form  dull  sliity,  lower  mandible  more  asby,  paler  basally ;  iris,  burnt-umber;  tarsi  and 
toes,  black. 


COLLURIO  EXCUBITOROIDES.  453 

CoLLURio  ludoyicia:n^ijs, 

Southern  Sfiiri!£e. 

/?.  excuhitoroides — White-rumped  Shrike. 

Lanius  cxctibiioroides,  SWAINSON,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  115,  pi.  35. 

Colhjrio  excuhitoroides^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  527,  pi.  75,  fig.  2 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B., 

1850,  No.  238. 
Collurio  excuhitoroides,  Baird,  Eeview  Am.  B.,  18GG,  445. — Cooper,  Oru.  C.il.,  133. 
Collurio  ludovicianus  viir.  excuhitoroides^  CouES,  Key,  1872, 125;  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  135a.— B.  B.  &  K,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  421,  pi.  xix,  lig.  3.— Hen- 

SHAW,  1875,  233. 

Scarcely  a  locality  was  visited  where  this  Shrike  was  not  found,  in 
greater  or  less  plenty,  its  range  including  both  the  Sacramento  Valley  and 
the  country  eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  At  Sacramento  it  was  frequently 
observed  about  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where  it  frequented  the  oak-groves 
and  scattered  trees,  or  the  borders  of  the  fields.  In  the  Interior  it  was  most 
common  at  those  localities  where  there  was  a  greater  or  less  extent  of  willow 
thickets,  with  meadow-lands  and  sage-brush  adjacent;  but  it  was  not  rare 
on  the  higher  mountain  ranges,  where  it  inhabited  the  mahogany  and  cedar 
groves  in  preference  to  other  places.  It  was  most  usually  observed  perch- 
ing quietly  on  the  summit  of  a  dead  weed-stalk  or  prominent  naked  branch 
of.  a  bush  or  tree,  patiently  watching  for  its  food,  or  during  its  curious 
undulating  flight,  so  strikingly  characteristic  of  the  species  of  this  genus. 

List  of  specimens. 

15G,  ijuv.;  valley  of  tbe  Humboldt  (Camp  17),  September  2, 1867.  9— 12J— 3if — 
3^^ — li — 1 — 2^"^^.  Bill,  slaty  bora-black,  basal  portion  of  lower  mandible  paler;  iris, 
brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

344J^*l^;  cotton-woods  of  Carson  Kiver,  Fort  Churchill,  Nevada,  December  6, 1867. 
Di— 12|— 4— 3i— ji— 1— 4— 2§.  Bill  deep  black,  lower  mandible  paler  basally ;  iris, 
brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

442,  <J  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  10, 1P68.  1>J— 13— 4i— 3|.  Bill,  pure 
black;  iris,  bister;  tarsi  and  toes, black. 

482,  (?  ad.;  Carson,  April  2,  1868.    9^— 13^— 4^%— 3^?^.    Same  remarks. 

524,  c?  ad.;  Carson,  April  24, 1808.    9— 13— 4J— 3|.     Same  remarks. 

849,  9  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  July  21,  1868.  (Mahoganies; 
altitude  9,000  feet.)  9J— 13— (?)— 3^.  Bill,  pure  black;  interior  of  mouth,  livid  fleshy- 
white  ;  iris,  bister;  scutellse  of  tarsi  and  toes,  pure  black,  the  Interspaces  dirty  white. 

SS9  Juv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  4, 1868.  8|— 121— (?)— 3p\.   I^i^U 


454  OENITHOLOGY. 

s^ate-black,  pale  purplish  on  base  of  lower  mandible;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes, 
black. 

1044,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  24,  1869.  Nest  in  oak-bush, 
about  four  feet  from  ground. 

10j5,  nest  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  27, 18G9.    Nest  in  sage-bush. 

1095,  nest  and  egg  (1);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.  JSTest  in 
sage-bush. 

1129,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  7, 1869.  Nest 
in  rose-bush  in  ravine. 

1427,  eggs  (2) ;  Prombntory  Point,  Utah,  June,  1869.     [F.  A.  Clark.] 

1521,  eggs;  Fremont's  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  August  16,  1869.    [F.  A.  Clark.] 

Family  TANAGRIDiE— Tanagees. 
Pyranga  ludoviciana. 

l¥e&tern  Tanag^cr;  ^^I^ouisiana  Tanagrer."' 

Tanagra  ludovieiana^  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  Ill,  1811,  27,  pi.  22,  fig.  1. 

Pyranga  ludoviciana^  Audubon,  Synop.,  1839,  137. — BaIbd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  303; 

Catal.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  223.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  145.— CouES,  Key,  1872, 
•  112 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  110;  B.  N.VV.,  1874,  83.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.N.  Am. 

B.,  I,  1874,  437,  pi.  XX,  figs.  3,  4.— HenshaW,  1875,  235. 

This  beautiful  Tanager,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  western  birds,  was 
found  to  be  very  generally  distributed  through  the  wooded  portions  of 
the  route  traversed,  excepting  in  the  valley  portions  of  California,  none 
having  been  seen  from  Sacramento  eastward  until  well  into  the  pine 
forest  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  It  was  first  observed  on  the  western  portion 
of  that  range,  at  an  altitude  of  about  5,000  feet,  its  song  first  attracting 
attention,  from  its  extreme  similarity  to  that  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager  (P. 
rubra)  of  the  East.  From  this  point  eastward  it  was  met  with  in  every 
wooded  locality,  being  much  more  frequently  seen  on  the  mountaitis  than 
along  the  rivers  of  the  lower  valleys.  In  May,  soon  after  their  arrival 
from  the  south,  these  Tanagers  were  very  numerous  in  the  rich  valley 
of  the  Truckee,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  where  they  were  observed  to  feed 
chiefly  on  the  buds  of  the  grease-wood  bushes  (Ohione  confertifolia),  in 
company  with  the  Black-headed  Grosbeak  and  Bullock's  Oriole.  Very 
few  were  seen  later  in  the  season,  however,  nearly  all  having  departed  for 
the  mountain  woods.  During  July  and  August  it  was  a  common  species 
on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains,  where  it  inhabited  the  gi-oves 

^  Geographically  Id  appropriate. 


LOXIA  AMERICANA.  455 

of  cedar,  nut-pine,  and  mountain  mahogany;  while  from  June  to  August 
it  was  an  abundant  bird  in  the  pine  forests  of  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah 
ranges.  In  September  they  were  noticed  to  feed  extensively  on  the  fruit 
of  the  Crataegus  rivularis,  in  company  with  the  Red-shafted  Flicker,  Gaird- 
ner's  Woodpecker,  the  Cedar-bird,  and  the  Cross-bills  (Loxia  americana  and 
L,  Jeucoptera). 

In  its  habits  this  species  is  almost  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  eastern 
P.  rubra,  while  its  song  is  scarcely  distinguishable,  being  merely  of  a  slightly 
finer,  or  more  silvery,  tone;  but  the  ordinary  note,  sounding  like  pW-itj  is 
very  different  from  the  chip'-a-rd,  ree  of  the  eastern  species.  The  note  of 
the  young  is  quite  peculiar,  being  a  low  whistle,  something  like  the  com- 
plaining call  of  the  Eastern  Blue-bird  {Sialia  sialis),  but  louder. 

List  of  specimens, 

565,  i  ad,;  Tiuckee  Reservation,  May  15, 1868.  7|— 11^^—34.  Bill,  dilute  wax- 
yellow,  with  a  greenish  cast,  except  along  commissure,  darker  greenish-brown  toward 
the  culmen,  which  is  dark  sepia,  with  the  terminal  half  sharply,  black;  iris,  grayish- 
brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  plumbeous,  the  latter  whitish  beneath. 

838,  ?  ad,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  ITevada,  July  13, 1868.  (Mahogany  woods.) 
7| — llf — (?) — 3^,  Upper  mandible,  dark  greenish-sepia,  the  tomium  and  lower  man- 
dible, light  greenish-yellow;  iris,  burnt-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous. 

1283,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Parley ^s  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  25, 1869. 
Kest  on  extreme  end  of  horizontal  branch  of  pine  tree  in  grove. 

1376,  nest  and  eggs  (5) ;  Uintah  Mountains,  Utah,  July  7,  1869,  Nest  on  mount- 
ain mahogany  tree,  near  end  of  horizontal  branch. 

Family  FHINGILLID^ — Finches,  Sparrows,  and  Buntings. 

Loxia  Americana. 

CoBumon  Crossbill. 

Curvirostra  america7ia,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  IV,  1811,  44,  pi.  31,  figs.  1,  2.— -Baird, 
B.  N.  Am.,  1«58,  420 ;  Catal.,  185|^  No.  318,— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  148. 

Loxia  americanaj  Bo:srAP.,  Oomp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  38. 

Loxia  curvirostra  var.  americana^  Coues,  Key,  1872,  351;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 
143;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  109  —B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  484,  pi.  xxiii, 
figs.  1,  4.— Henshaw,  1875,  248. 

The  Common  Crossbill  may  breed  on  the  higher  portions  of  the  loftier 
ranges  in  the  Interior,  but  none  were  seen  by  us  until  toward  the  last  of 


456  OENITHOLOGY. 

Au^st,  when  they  became  gradually  common  in  the  lower  canons  of  the 
East  Humboldt  Mountains.  They  were  usually  observed  in  small  flocks 
among  the  willows  or  aspens,  and  uttered  frequently,  especially  while  on 
the  wing,  a  soft  whistling  note,  somewhat  like  chih^  chih,  chih,  quite  unlike 
the  note  of  any  other  bird  of  our  acquaintance. 

List  of  specimens, 

884,  ^  ad,;  Willows,  foot  of  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  21),  August  29, 
1868.  C — lOJ — (1) — 2J.  Bill,  uniform  born-sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  grayish  sepia ;  iris, 
rawumber. 

[This  specimen  is  remarkable  for  its  unusually  small  bill] 

LOXIA  LEUCOPTEEA. 

White- winged  Crossbill. 

Loxia  leucopiera,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1788,  844  — B.B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am,  Birds, 
I,  1874,  488,  ph  XXIII,  figs.  2,  3.— CoUES,  Check'  List,  1873,  No.  142  j  Birds 
KW.,  1874,  110. 

Curvirostra  leucoptera^  Wilson,  Am.  Oni.,  IV,  1811,  48,  pi.  31,  hg,  3.~Baird, 
Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  427 ;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  319.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 
I,  149.— COUE^,  Key,  1872, 129,  fig.  70. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  a  male  of  what  was  probably  this  species,  but 
in  very  unusually  brilliant  plumage,  was  seen  among  the  cedars  on  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains.  It* is  therefore  probable  that  this 
species  breeds  sparingly  on  the  higher  portion  of  the  loftier  ranges.^  In 
September  it  was  common  in  the  lower  canons  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
East  Humboldt  Mountains,  where  it  inhabited  the  same  localities  as  the 
more  rare  L.  ameHcana.  The  note  of  this  Crossbill  is  a  plaintive  tveek, 
very  different  from  the  hurried  chihj  chih  of  the  other  species,  or,  indeed, 
the  note  of  any  other  bird  known  to  us. 
■ ^ 

^When  first  seen,  this  individual  called  instantly  to  mind  tbe  adult  male  of 
Pijranga  eryihromelcenay  of  Mexico  and  Central  America,  so  rich  and  uniform  was  the 
bright  carmine-red  of  the  plumage,  while  the  pure  white  wing-bands  contrasted  con- 
spicuously with  the  deep  black  of  the  wings  an*!  tail.  It  is  scarcely  possible,  however, 
that  it  could  have  been  this  southern  Tanager,  which  has  not  yet  been  taken  near  oar 
southern  border.  It  should  be  considered,  however,  that  a  specimen  of  Fsaltripariis 
melanotis,  also  a  Mexican  bird,  not  before  detected  in  the  United  States,  was  observed 
in  the  same  locality  at  nearly  the  same  time. 


CAKPODACUS  CASSINL  457 

Carpodacus  CASsmi. 

Cassiia^s  Purple  Ficicti« 

Carpodacus  cassini^  Baird,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1854,  119  •  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 
414;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  307.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  155.— CouES,  Key,  1872, 
128;  Check  List,  1872,  No.  140 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 106.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
B.,  I,  1874,  460,  pi.  XXI,  flgs.  4,  5.— Henshaw,  1875,  240. 

Although  this  Finch  was  observed  to  be  essentially  pinicoline,  it  was 
occasionally  found  among  deciduous  trees  when  such  occurred  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  coniferous  forests,  this  being  notably  the  case  during  the 
breeding-season.  In  the  pine  forests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson 
City,  these  birds  were  first  observed  on  the  21st  of  March,  at  which  date 
large  flocks  were  found  among  the  trees.  They  continued  to  increase  in 
abundance  until  about  the  middle  of  April,  when  they  gradually  dispersed 
through  the  forest,  the  greater  number  going  higher  up  the  mountains.  At 
the  time  of  their  arrival  they  were  in  full  song,  and  continued  so  during  tho 
season,  and  it  was  noticed  that  the  young  males,  in  the  plumage  of  the 
females  (possibly  the  latter  also),  sang  almost  if  not  quite  as  vigorously 
and  sweetly  as  those  in  the  adult  livery.  In  certain  localities  on  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains  they  were  quite  abundant  on  several  occa- 
sions, the  flocks  consisting  chiefly  of  young-of-the-year,  which,  with  their 
parents,  had  apparently  come  from  the  higher  coniferous  woods  near  the 
summits  of  the  range,  since  no  nests  were  found  among  the  cedar  and  piiion 
groves  of  the  lower  slopes.  In  the  pine-belt  of  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah 
Mountains  they  were  abundant  from  May  to  August,  during  the  whole  of 
which  time  they  were  nesting.  Most  of  the  nests  found  were  among  the  as- 
pens and  narrow-leafed  cotton-woods  {Populus  tremuloides  and  P.  angustifolia) 
of  the  higher  portions  of  the  ravines,  where  these  trees  replaced  the  conifers. 

The  song  of  this  species  is  clear  and  sweet,  and  is  even  superior  to 

that  of  the  Eastern  Purple  Finch  (6^.  purpureus),  which,  however,  it  greatly 

resembles.     Many  passages  are  loud  and  clear,  and  so  much  like  the  notes 

of  certain  Vireones  that  we  were  several,  times  led  by  them  in  search  of  a 

new  Greenlet.     Other  portions  of  its  song,  which  was  greatly  varied,  were 

sweet,  soft  warblings,  and  tender,  whistling  calls. 

List  of  specimens. 
446,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,'March  21,  1868.    6|— 11— 3f^3t^^.    Bill,  uiii- 


458  ORNITHOLOGY. 

form  born  color,  with  delicate  lilaceous  tinge 5  iris,  burnt-amber;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark 
horn-sepia. 

447,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  21,  1868.  Gjf— 11  J— 3-2— 3J.  Same  re- 
marks.   Bill,  lilaceous-sepia. 

403,  S  ad.;  Carson,  March  28,  18G8.    G}^-11J— 3|— 3J.     Same  remarks. 

4G4,  S  ad,;  Carson,  March  28,  1868.    0}^— 1 1|  -.3}|— 3J.    Same  remarks. 

465,  ?  ad,;  Carson,  March  28,  18G8.     Gg—l  1—3^3.     Same  remarks. 

4GG,  ?  ad.;  Carson,  March  28,  1808.     Gi|—ll  J— 3|f— 3J.     Same  remarks. 

494,  c?  ad.;  Carson,  April  4,  1868.    0|— 11— 35— 3J.     Same  remarks. 

805,  S  ad.;  Camp  19,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  10,  1868.  7J— llj— (? ) 
— o^\.    Same  remarks. 

1182,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  City  Creek  Caiion,  Utah,  June  18,  1860.  Nest  in  box. 
elder  bush,  about  7,000  feet  altitude. 

*    1239,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park.  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  23, 
1869.    Nest  in  top  of  cotton- wood  tree  by  caiion  stream. 

1240,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  23, 
1869.    Nest  in  top  of  aspen. 

1270,  9  arf.;  Parley's  Park,  June  23,  1869.  6§— 11.  Bill,  umber-drab,  paler  and 
more  lilaceous  basally  and  beneath ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  horn-color. 

1329,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.    Nest  in  aspen  along  stream. 

1342, 1343,  nests  and  eggs  (3,  1) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.  Nests  in  aspens 
near  stream. 

1347,  S  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.     7— llf . 

1433,  i  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  19, 1869.  6J— llj.  Bill,  pinkishdrab,  becoming 
gradually  paler  on  commissure  and  on  lower  mandible,  there  fading  basally  into  dull 
whitish  ;  rictus,  pale  yellow  ;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  purplish-sepia. 

1434,  nest;  Parley's  Park,  July  19,  1869.  Nest  on  horizontal  branch  of  cotton- 
wood  tree. 

1517,  ijuv.;  Parley's  Park,  August  16,  1809.    6|— llf. 
151Sj9juv.;  Parley's  Park,  August  16,  1869.    6f— lOf. 

Oarpodacus  feontalis. 

House  Finch;  ''Red-head  liinnet." 

(  We-to-wich  of  the  Paiutes.) 

a.  frontalis. 

Fringilla  frontalis^  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1824,  40. 

Carpodacvs  frontalis^  Gray,  Gen.  Birds,  1844-'49. — Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 
415;  Catah,  1859,  No.  308.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  156.— Coues,  Key,  1872^ 
129;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  141.— Henshaw,  1875,  241. 

Carpodacus  frontalis  xsx.  frontalis^  RiDaw.,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.  and  Arts,  Jan.,  1873, 
40.— B.  B.  &  B.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  466,  pi.  xxi,  flgs.  3,  6. 

Carpodacus frontalis,  a.  frontalis,  CoUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874, 107. 

The  ** Red-head  Linnet*'  was  the  most  familiar  and  one  of  the  most 


CARPODACUS  FEONTALIS.  459 

abundant  of  the  birds  found  at  Sacramento,  where  it  frequented  the  shade- 
trees  of  the  streets  or  the  door-yards  and  gardens  in  the  city  in  preference  to 
groves  in  the  suburbs  or  country.  In  its  abundance  and  semi-domestic  hab- 
its it  thus  reminds  one  somewhat  of  the  European  House  Sparrow  {Pyrgita 
domestica),  but,  unhke  that  bird,  has  endeared  itself  to  its  protectors  by 
the  possession  of  a  sweet  song  and  brilliant  plumage.  It  is  greatly  prized 
as  a  cage-bird,  and  justly,  too,  for  while  its  plumage  is  equally  pretty,  its 
notes  excel  those  of  the  Canary  in  sweetness,  while  at  the  same  time  they 
are  fully  equal  in  vivacity  and  power.  All  the  notes  are  decidedly  Canary- 
like,  the  usual  utterance  being  a  soft,  musical  tweet.  The  song  itself  differs 
from  that  of  the  Canary  chiefly  in  being  more  tender,  less  piercing,  and 
interspersed  with  more  varied  warblings.  The  males  were  observed  to  be 
shyer  than  the  females,  their  wariness  being  perhaps  explained  by  the  fact 
that  several  were  noticed  which  had  their  tails  clipped,  showing  that  they 
had  once  been  in  captivity.  When  their  nests  were  disturbed,  however, 
the  males  exhibited  as  much  concern  as  the  females*  and  kept  up  a  lively 
chinking  from  an  adjoining  tree. 

Few  birds  are  more  variable  as  to  the  choice  of  a  location  for  their 
nests  than  the  present  species,  since  it  adapts  itself  readily  to  any  sort  of  a 
place  where  safety  is  assured.  At  Sacramento,  they  usually  built  among  the 
small  oak  trees,  generally  near  the  extremity  of  a  horizontal  branch,  but 
one  nest  was  placed  inside  the  pendulous,  basket-like  structure  of  a  '' Hang- 
ing-bird" {Icterus  huUocki);  in  the  narrow  gorge  of  the  Truckee  River, 
where  that  stream  breaks  through  the  Virginia  Mountains,  one  was  found 
inside  the  abandoned  nest  of  a  Cliff  Swallow;  along  the  eastern  shore  of 
Pyramid  Lake  numerous  nests  were  found  among  the  rocks,  placed  on 
shelves  in  the  interior  of  caves,  along  with  those  of  the  Barn  Swallow  and 
Say's  Pewee,  or  in  crevices  on  the  outside  of  the  tufa-domes,  while  in  the 
neighboring  valley  of  the  Truckee,  where  there  was  an  abundance  of  cotton- 
wood  timber,  their  nests  were  nearly  all  built  in  the  low  grease-wood  bushes. 
On  Antelope  Island,  in  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  they  preferred  the  sage-brush, 
like  the  Black-throated  and  Brewer's  Sparrows;  in  City  Creek  Cafion,  near 
Salt  Lake  City,  one  was  found  in  a  mountain-mahogany  tree,  while  in 
Parley's  Park  fmother  was  in  a  cotton- wood  tree  along  a  stream.     At  all  the 


460  ORNITHOLOGY. 

towns  or  larger  settlements,  however,  a  large  proportion  of  the  individuals 
of  this  species  have  abandoned  such  nesting-places  as  those  described  above, 
and  resorted  to  the  buildings,  where  ^*odd  nooks  and  crannies"  tifForded 
superior  attractions. 

Although  chiefly  a  bird  of  the  lower  valleys,  this  species  was  sometimes 
found  in  the  lower  cafions  of  the  mountains,  it  being  common  in  Buena 
Vista  Canon,  in  the  West  Humboldt  range,  in  September,  having  apparently 
nested  among  the  ruined  adobe  houses  of  the  deserted  town.  In  City 
Creek  Canon,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  several  nests  were  found  at  an  altitude 
of  about  1,800  feet  above  the  level  of  the  mesa,  or  at  the  lower  limit  to  the 
breeding-range  of  C,  cassini,  a  single  nest  of  which  was  found  on  a  tree 
adjoining  one  in  wliich  was  a  nest  of  the  present  bird.  In  Parley's  Park  it 
was  likewise  found,  but  in  small  numbers,  and  only  on  the  floor  of  the 
park,  the  G.  cassini  inhabiting  the  upper  portion  of  the  streams. 

List  of  specimens. 

2,  3,  4,  nests  and  eggs;  nests  in  oak-grove.     Sacramento,  California,  June  G,  18C7. 

2S^  29,  nests  and  eggs;  nests  in  oak-grove.    Sacramento,  California,  June  11, 18G7. 

34,  i  ad.;  Sacramento,  June  12,  1867.    5\^--^dj\—3i—2^, 

41,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  nest  in  oak-grove.    Sacramento,  California,  June  13,  18G7. 

52,  nest  and  eggi^^  nest  in  oak-grove.    Sacramento,  California,  June  18, 18C7. 

57,  nest  and  eggs;  nest  in  oak-grove.    Sacramento,  California,  June  19,  18G7. 

73,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  nest  in  oak- grove.    Sacramento,  California,  June  20, 1867. 

165,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  nest  in  niche  in  rocks.  Tufa  domes.  Pyramid  Lake, 
Nevada,  May  25, 1868. 

5G9,  $  ad.;  Truckeo  Reservation,  May  15, 1868.  6J^ — 9^ — 2§.  Upper  mandible, 
brownish  horn-color,  edged  with  pale  rosy;  lower  mandible,  paler  and  more  pinkish 
than  the  upper,  with  wider  rosy  edge;  iris,  dark  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  x>ale  brown. 

774,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  nest  in  grease- wood  bush.  Truckee  Reservation,  Nevada, 
May31,  18G8. 

780, 781,  nests  and  eggs  (5) ;  nest  in  grease- wood  bush.  Truckee  Reservation,  Ne- 
vada, June  2,  1868. 

805,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  nest  in  grease- wood  bush.  Truckee  Valley,  Nevada,  June 
C,  1868. 

806,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  nest  in  old  one  of  Cliflf-Swallow,  on  face  of  a  precipice. 
Truckee  Valley,  Nevada,  June  G,  1868. 

1066,  nests  and  eggs  (4);  near  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29, 1860.  Nest  on  moujitain- 
mahogany  bush,  1,800  feet  above  the  level  of  the  city! 

1076,  $ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  June  1,1869.  ViJ—OJ.  Bill^  lilacoous-brown, 
darker  above;  iris,  brown;  legs  and  feet,  sepia. 

1092,  nest;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.    Sdge-bush. 


LEUCOSTICTE  LITTOEALIS— OHRYSOMITEIS  TRISTIS.  4(3^ 

1093,  $  ad,;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.  CJ— 95.  Same  re- 
marks as  to  1076. 

1114^  nest;  Antelope  Island,  June  5, 1869.     Sage-bush. 

1131,  $  ad,;  Antelope  Island,  June  7, 1869. 

1140,  nest;  Antelope  Islaud,  June  8, 1869.    Sage-bush. 

1183,  uest  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  18, 1869.  Sage-bush,  1,800  feet  above 
camp  (altitude  above  7,000  feet). 

1191,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Salt  Lake  City,  June  21,1869.  Mountain-mahogany, 
1,800  feet  above  camp. 

1193,  ?  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  21,  1869.  6—10.  Bill,  purplishdrab,  lower 
mandible,  more  lilaceous  basally  beneath;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  brown. 

1238,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Parley ^s  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  23, 1869. 
Nest  in  cotton- wood  tree  along  stream. 


Leucosticte  littoealis. 

Hepburn's  Leucosticte. 

Leucosticte  littoralis^  Baird^  Tvqu&.  Chicago  Acad.  Sci.,  I,  ii,  1869,  318,  pi.  28, 

fig.  1.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  162. 
Leucosticte  tepJirocotis  var.  liitoralis,  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  130. — B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1874,  507,  pi.  xxiii,  fig.  6.— RiDawAY,  Bull.  Geol.  &  Geog. 

Expl.  Ter.,  No.  2,  sec.  ser.,  1875,  74. 

Leucosticte  tejphrocotis,  b.  griseinucha^  CouES,  Birds  !N'.W.,  1874,  111  (part). 

A  single  flock  of  this  species  was  seen  on  the  5th  of  January  in  the 
outskirts  of  Virginia  City,  Nevada.  The  flock  comprised  perhaps  fifty 
individuals,  all  busily  engaged  in  gleaning  from  the  surface  of  the  snow, 
flitting  restlessly  over  one  another,  in  the  manner  of  Lapland  Longspurs, 
at  the  same  time  uttering  a  twittering  note. 

OhRYSOMITRIS   TRISTIS. 

Common  Goldfincli,  JLettuce  Bird,  etc. 

Fringilla  tristis^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  320. 

Chrysomitris  tristis,  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  33.— Baird,  B,  N.  Am., 
1858,  421;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  313.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  167.— CouES,  Key,^ 
1872,  131^  pi.  3,  figs.  7,  8,  9,  10;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  149;  B.  N.W.,  1874,* 
116— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  471,  pi.  xxii,  tigs.  7,  8.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875,  243. 

Few  birds  were  so  abundant  at  Sacramento  as  this  widely-distributed 

species ;  but  eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  it  was  found  to  be  extremely 


462  ORNITHOLOGY. 

rare  at  all  places  along  our  route.  Its  great  abundance  at  Sacramento  may 
possibly  be  explained  by  the  extensive  and  luxuriant  growth  of  thistles 
which  occupied  many  waste-places  in  the  suburbs,  the  seeds  of  these  plants 
supplying  them,  in  season,  with  a  plentiful  supply  of  food. 

List  of  specimens* 

5,  G,  7,  nests  and  eggs ;  Sacramento  City,  California,  June  6, 1867.  I^ests  in  an 
oak-grove,  resting  on  horizontal  branches  of  the  small  trees. 

54,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento  City,  California,  Jane  18,1867.  l^est  on  hori- 
zontal branch  of  small  cotton-wood,  in  copse. 

81;  nest  and  eggs ;  Sacramento,  June  24,  1867. 

87,  nest  and  eggs ;  Sacramento,  June' 28, 1867. 

93,  nest  and  eggs ;  Sacramento,  Jane  29,  1867.  Nest  in  small  cotton-wood,  in 
copse. 

778,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  Nevada,  May  31,  1868.  5^V-^i— (^)— ^i-  ^^^^» 
orange-yellow,  the  point  darker;  iris,  very  dark  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  reddish- 
sepia. 

1369,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Pack's  Caiion,  Uintah  Mountains,  Utah,  July  4,  1869. 
Nest  in  thorn-apple  shrub,  by  stream. 

Ohrysomiteis  PSALTRIA. 

Orecn-backed  Goldfinch;  << Arkansas  Goldfinch." ^ 

Fringilla  psaltrla^  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1823,  40. 

Clirysomitris  psaltria,  BoNAP.,  Comp.  and  Geog.  List,  1838,  33. — Baibd,  B.  IST. 
Am.,  1858,  422;  Catal.,  1859,  ITo.  314— Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  I,  168.--Coues, 
Key,  1872,  132 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  151.— Henshaw,  1875,  244. 

Chrysomitris  psaltria  var.  psaltria^  EiDaWAY,  Am.  Jour.  Arts  and  Sci.,  Dec, 
1872,  454.— B.  B.  &  B.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  474,  pi.  xxii,  figs.  9,  10. 

Chrysomitris  psaltria.  a,  psaltria^  COUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  116. 

This  species  we  found  only  among  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mount- 
ains, where  It  was  not  common,  and  usually  found  associated  in  small 
numbers  with  the  large  flocks  of  C.  pinus.  Attention  was  first  called  to  it 
by  its  extraordinary  not^,  a  plaintive,  mellow  whistle,  difiicult  to  describe, 
but  totally  unlike  that  of  any  other  bird  we  have  heard.  When  the  bird 
*  takes  flight  this  note  is  changed  to  a  simple  fifing  cheer,  in  a  fine,  high  key, 
and  somewhat  resembling  the  anxious  note  uttered  by  the  male  Red- 
winged  Black-bird  [Ageloeus  pJiceniceus)  when  its  nest  is  disturbed. 

^  Geographically  inappropriate. 


CHRYSOMITRIS  LAWRENCII~C.  PINUS.  463 

JLtst  of  specimens, 

1189,  ^ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  (City  Creek  CaOon),  June  19,  18G9.  4|— 8. 
Bill,  purplish-brown,  the  culmen  nearly  black,  the  lower  mandible  inclining  to  wax- 
brown  ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-brown. 

1224,  nest  and  egg  (1);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  June  22,  1809. 
Nest  in  top  of  willow^bush  along  stream. 

Chrysomitris  lawrencii. 

Lawrence's  Ooldfinch. 

Carduelis  lawreneiiy  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Pbilad.,  1850,  105,  pi.  v. 

Chrysomitris  lawrencii^  BoNAP.,  Comp.  Rend.,  1853,  913.— Baibd,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  424;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  31G.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  171.— Coues,  Key, 
1872,  132;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  150.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 
478,  pi.  XXII,  figs.  14,  15. 

This  beautiful  little  Goldfinch  was  observed  only  among  the  western 
foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  we  had  only  occasional  glimpses  at 
it,  just  sufficient  to  identify  the  species,  and  passed  so  rapidly  through  its 
range  that  no  opportunity  was  afforded  to  study  its  habits.  It  was  com- 
mon among  the  trees  by  the  roadside,  and  uttered  very  pleasant  and  quite 
peculiar  notes. 

Chrysomitris  pinus. 

Pine  Goldfinch. 

Fringilla  pinus^  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  II,  1810,  133,  pi.  17,  fig.  1. 

Chrysomitris  pinus,  Bonap.,  Oomp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  33. — Baird,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  425;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  317.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  172.— Coues,  Key, 
1872,  131,  pi.  3,  figs.  11,  12;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  148;  B.N.W.,  1874,  115.— 
B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  480,  pi.  xxn,  fig.  16.— Henshaw,  1875, 
246. 

The  range  of  the  Pine  Goldfinch  was  strikingly  similar  to  that  of  Cassin's 
Purple  Finch,  the  two  being  almost  invariably  found  in  the  same  localities, 
whether  during  their  migrations  or  in  the  nesting-season.  In  summer  it 
was  abundant  in  all  the  pine  forests,  from  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  the  Uintahs, 
and  like  the  bird  above  mentioned  occurred  also  among  the  aspen  copses , 
which  usually  replaced  the  conifers  at  the  head  of  the  canons.  The  species 
was  more  or  less  gregarious,  even  in  midsummer,  and  although  their  nests 
were  extremely  scattered,  the  birds  themselves  were  seldom  seen  except  in 
flocks.     They  had  no  song,  but  uttered  frequently  a  peculiar  screeching 


464  ORNITHOLOGY. 

note,  sounding  like  sweer^  very  unlike  that  of  any  other  bird,  except  the 
JEmpidonax  ohscurus;  and  when  a  flock  suddenly  took  flight,  they  all  joined 
in  a  more  rattling  note. 

Besides  the  nest  described  below,  another  was  found,  in  an  aspen  bush, 
but  it  was  abandoned  by  the  owners  before  any  eggs  were  laid. 

List  of  specimens. 

802,  Sjuv,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  5, 1868.  5^ — 9.  Bill, 
asby  born-color;  iris,  burut-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  purplisb-brown. 

013,  S  ad,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  8,  1868.  5—9.  Bill, 
purplish-plumbeous,  paler  basally ;  iris,  fifrayish-sepia ;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia, 

1241,  nest  and  egg  (1);  Parley's  Park,  Wabsatch  Mountains,  Utab,  June  23, 
1860.    Kest  near  extremity  of  horizontal  arm  of  flr-tree,  about  fifteen  feet  from  ground. 

1519,  <Jiwv.;  4J— 9.  1520,  9JM17.;  4|— 8J.  Parley's  Park,  August^O,  1868.  Bill, 
purplish-plumbeous,  paler  basally  ,•  iris,  sepia  5  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous  sepia-black. 

PlECTEGPHANES  LAPPOKICCrS, 
!Lapland  Longspiir. 

Fringilla  lapponica,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  317. 

Flectrophanes  lapponicuSj  Selby,  Linn.  Trans.,  XV,  126,  pi.  1. — Baird,  B.  N. 
Am.,  1858,  433  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1850,  No.  326.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  178.— 
CoUES,  Key,  1872,  133,  fig.  81 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  153  5  B.  N.W.,  1874, 
120.— B.  B.  &K.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  515,  pi.  xxiv,  fig.  7. 

During  the  more  severe  portion  of  winter,  individuals  of  this  species 
were  frequently  detected  among  the  large  flocks  of  Horned  Larks  (Ere- 
mophila  alpestris)  around  Carson  City.  They  were  recognized  by  their 
peculiar  and  unmistakable  notes. 

Passeeculus  SANDYICHBNSIS. 

Savannah  Sparrow. 

a,  alaudinus, 

Passercttlus  alaudinus,  Bonap.,  Comp.  Rend.,  XXXVII,  1853,  918. — Baird,  B.  N. 

Am.,  1858,  446;  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  335.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I, 

1870,  181. 
Passereulus  savanna  var.  alaudinus^  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N,  Am.  Birds,  1, 1874,  pi. 

XXIV,  tig.  11.— Henshaw,  1875,  254 
Passereulus  savanna,  CouES,  Key,  1872,  135  (part);  Check  List,  1873,  No.  159 

(part). 
Passereulus  savanna,  a.  savanna,  CouBS,  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 127  (part). 


PAS8ER0ULUS  ALAUDINUS,  465 

This  well-known  and  widely-distributed  Sparrow  was  an  abundant 
species  in  every  moist  meadow  and  grassy  marsh,  not  only  in  the  valleys 
but  also  in  the  lower  canons  of  the  mountains.  It  was  found  during  the 
greater  portion  of  the  year,  or  from  March  to  November,  inclusive.  During 
the  breeding-season  the  male  has  a  weak,  lisping  song,  which  maybe  some- 
what nearly  expressed  by  the  syllables  witz^  witz,  wiK — tzulj  uttered  as  the 
bird  perches  upon  a  fence-post,  or  a  bush  by  the  brook -side,  or  as  it  nestles 
in  the  grass  upon  the  ground. 

List  of  specimens. 

239,  S  «<^v*  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  October  7, 1867.  6| — 
9J — 3 — 2^ — y^g — 3 — 24 — }|.  Bill,  horn-color,  darker  on  culmen,  lower  mandible  paler, 
with  lilaceous  glow;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi,  straw-color,  toes  more  brownish. 

254,  i  ad,;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  October  23,  1867. 
5|-.9^9__3^i._2J— ^f— f— 2J— J.  Tarsi,  clear  pinkish-white,  with  tinge  of  straw- 
yellow,  the  toes  stained  with  brownish. 

471,  i  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  28,  1868.  5|— 8— 2|— 2|.  Bill,  lilac- 
bluish,  the  upper  mandible  nearly  black;  iris,  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  brownish  lila- 
ceous-white. 

480,  S  ad.;  Carson,  March  30, 1868.    5}^— 9J— 3— 2^^.     Same  remarks. 

553,  ?  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    5J--9— 2|— 2f .    Same  remarks. 

885,  S  ad.;  Ruby  Valley,  Nevada,  August  29,  1868.  5|— (?)—(?)— 2|.  Same 
remarks. 

933,  ?  ad.;  Camp  25,  Humboldt  Valley,  September  16,  1868.  5i|— 8}|— (?)— 2J. 
Upper  mandible,  purplish-black,  paler  toward  rictus;  lower,  deep  salmon-purple,  darker 
terminally;  iris,  plumbeous- bister;  tarsi,  straw-white,  toes  more  brownish. 

970,  <J  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  21, 1869.  5g— 9f .  Bill,  ashy-lilaceous^  the  upper 
mandible  dusky—nearly  black  on  the  culmen. 

971,  ^  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    5| — 8^. 

972,  i  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    5^ — 9^. 

1016,  nest  and  eggs  (5) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  21, 1869.  Nest  imbedded  in  ground, 
in  wet  meadow. 

1017,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  same  locality,  May  22.  Nest  in  tuft  of  grass,  in  wet 
meadow. 

1883,  nests  and  eggs  (4);  same  locality,  June  3,  1869.    Same  remarks. 

1090,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.  Nest 
on  ground,  beneath  strip  of  sage-brush  bark,  in  wet  meadow. 

1458,  S  jui\;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  July  26, 1869.  5f— 9.  Bill,  brownish-lilaceous, 
darker  on  the  culmen;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  pink. 

1480,  S  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  30,  1869.    5J— 9^. 

USlyjuv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  30.    5|— 9|. 
30  PE 


466  OEUITHOLOGY. 

POOEOETBS  GEAMINBUg, 
Bay  uriogred  Bantins^;  Grass  Bantiniiri  Tesper  Sparrow* 

^.  confinis. 

Pooccetes  graminens  var.  confinis^  Baibd,  B.  K  Am.,  1858, 448  (in  text,  sub  P.  gram- 
i7i6ti«).— CouBS,  Key,  1872,  136 ;  Check  List,  1872,  No.  161a.— B.  B.  &  E., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874,  645  {$ub  P.  prawin^tw).— Henshaw,  1875,  256. 

PocBcetes  gramineuSy  Coopee,  Om.  Gal.,  1, 1870,  186. 

This  common  species  was  most  frequently  met  with  during  the  summer 
on  the  open  grassy  slopes  of  the  higher  canons,  where  it  and  the  Green- 
tailed  Bunting  were  the  chief  songsters.  Its  song  is  sweet  and  varied, 
though  simple  and  brief,  and  its  clear,  cheery  notes  are  among  our  most 
pleasant  recollections  of  those  elevated  regions.  In  the  fall  it  descends  to 
the  lower  valleys,  and  in  September  becomes  exceedingly  abundant  among 
the  rye-grass  meadows  along  the  foot-hills  of  the  higher  ranges.  In  winter 
it  appears  to  make  a  complete  southward  migration,  none  having  been  seen 
at  Carson  City  until  the  first  of  April. 

Idst  of  specimens. 

483,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  2, 1868.  6|— 11^— SyV-S.  Upper  man- 
dible, dull  brownish-plumbeous,  tomium  paler;  rictus  aud  whole  lower  mandible,  dilute 
brownish-lilaceous ;  iris,  raw-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  brownish,  toes  darkest. 

902,  $  ad.;  Secret  Valley,  Nevada,  September  6, 1868.  6§— 10t-(f )— 2f .  Upper 
mandible,  umber-brown,  darker  at  point,  paler  on  rictus ;  lower,  pale,  fleshy  lilaceous- 
brown,  the  extreme  tip  dusky;  iris,  vandyke;'  tarsi,  clear  brownish- white ;  toes,  sim- 
ilar but  stained  with  brownish. 

1037,  S  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  24, 1869.  6|— 10|.  Bill,  brownish-lilace- 
ous, upper  half  of  upper  mandible  nearly  black;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  lilaceous 
brownish-white. 

1233,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  June  23, 1869.  If  est  on  ground,  beneath 
prostrate  sage-bush,  by  roadside. 

1280,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Parley^s  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  June  25,  1869. 
Nest  in  grassy  bank  of  brook. 

1898,  nest  and  egg  (1) ;  Parley's  Park,  July,  1869.  Nest  on  ground  beneath  sage- 
bush. 

1464,  ijuv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  28, 1869.  6^— 11  J.  Bill,  clear  light  lilaceous, 
darker  toward  culmen ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  clear  pale  flesh-color. 


COTUENIOULUS  PBRPALLIDU8— OHOKDESTBS  GRAMMACA.     467 

COTTJRNIOULUS  PASSERESTUS. 
Tcllow-wliii^ed  Sparrow. 

p.  perpallidus. 

Ooturnicului  passerinus  yslt.  perpallidtiSj  Ridgway,  Coues'  Key,  1872, 137 ;  Check 
List,  1873, 162a.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  Birds,  I,  1874,  556.— Henshaw, 
1875,  257,  pi.  I,  fig.  2  (adult). 

Goturniculus  passerinus,  h.  perpallidus ^  CoUES,  Birds  K.W.,  1874, 132. 

Goturniculm  passerinus,  Coopee,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  189. 

Like  the  Savanna  Sparrow,  this  little  Bunting  is  essentially  a  bird  of 
the  valley  portions.  It  is  also  generally  distributed,  but  instead  of  inhab- 
iting the  wet  meadows,  or  the  borders  of  marshes,  it  frequents  only  the 
dryer  grassy  places.  It  was  found  to  be  abundant  in  the  fields  about  Sacra- 
mento City,  as^  well  as  throughout  the  Interior. 

List  of  specimens. 

853,  ^  juv.;  Ruby  Valley,  Nevada,  July  22,  1868.  5— 7|— (!)— 1}|.  Bill,  pale, 
pinkisb-lilaceous,  the  culmen  dariierj  iris,  grayish- umber  j  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  rosa- 
ceous-pink. 

1102,  $  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  June  4, 1869.  5J— 8J.  Bill, 
lilaceous,  upper  half  of  upper  mandible  blackish ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi,  pale  yellowish 
brownish-white ;  toes,  darker. 

Chondestes  GRAMMAOA. 

I^ark  Sparrow:  Skylark  Bunting'. 

Fringilla  grammaeaj  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  I,  1823, 139. 

Ohondestes  grammaca,  Bonap.,  Oomp.  &  Geol.  List,  1838,  32. — Bated,  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858,  456 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  344.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  193.— 
COXJES,  Key,  1872,  146,  fig.  90;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  186  j  B.  N.W.,  1874, 
159.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1874,  562,  pi.  xxxi,  fig.  1— Hen- 
shaw, 1875,  259. 

.  This  handsomely-marked  and  interesting  bird  is  an  exceedingly  abun- 
dant species  in  favorable  localities  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the 
Western  Region.  Though  essentially  a  western  species,  it  is  not  restricted 
to  that  portion  of  the  country  which  extends  from  the  Rocky  Mountains 
westward,  as  is  most  often  the  case  with  the  birds  peculiar  to  the  western 
division  of  the  continent,  but  it  also  inhabits  nearly  every  portion  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  where  it  is  no  less  numerous  than  in  the  most  favored 
portions  farther  west.  Indeed,  this  species  seems  to  be  gradually  extending 
its  range  to  the  eastward,  probably  in  consequence  of  the  general  and  wide- 


468  OBNITHOLOGY. 

spread  denudation  of  the  forests,  the  country  thus  undergoing  a  physical 
change  favorable  to  the  habits  of  the  species,  having  already  become  a 
regular  summer  resident  in  many  sections  of  the  country  north  of  the  Ohio. 
It  was  not  noticed  in  Ohio,  so  far  as  the  records  show,  previous  to  1860, 
when  Mr.  J.  M.  Wheaton  first  observed  it  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus,  near 
the  central  portion  of  the  State,  and  ^^  since  which  time  it  has  increased  in 
numbers,  and  at  present  (1874)  is  not  uncommon."  [See  Coues'  Birds  of 
the  Northwest,  p  234.]  Single  specimens  have  already  been  taken  in 
Massachusetts  and  Florida,  where,  in  course  of  time,  the  species  may  be- 
come established. 

The  Lark  Span^ow  is  essentially  a  prairie  bird,  although  it  prefers 
semi-wooded  districts  to  the  open  prairies.  It  is  equally  common  in  the 
Sacramento  Valley  and  in  southern  Illinois,  inhabiting  in  each  case  places 
which  are  neither  completely  wooded  nor  entirely  destitute  of  trees,  and 
evincing  a  marked  preference  for  localities  where  oak-groves  alternate  with 
meadow-lands  and  cultivated  fields ;  and  in  its  great  abundance  in  the 
widely-separated  districts  named  above,  particularly  when  taken  into  con- 
sideration with  its  association  in  both  with  such  species  as  Thryomanes 
hewich%  Dendroeca  cestiva,  Icteria  virenSj  CoUurio  excuhitoroides,  Chrysomitris 
tristis,  Coturniculus  passerinuSy  Melospiza  fasciqtay  Spizella  socialis,  Guiraca 
ccerulea,  etc.,  adds  to  the  marked  similarity  in  the  general  fades  of  the 
avifaunse  of  the  two  localities,  the  difference  between  them  consisting  in  the 
possession  by  each  of  a  small  percentage  of  representative  species  and  a 
very  few  peculiar  forms.^ 

The  habits  of  this  bird  are  chiefly  terrestrial,  since  it  lives  mostly  on 
the  ground,  where  it  may  often  be  seen  walking^  gracefully  along  or  hop- 
ping in  the  usual  manner  of  Sparrows ;  the  male  ascending  to  a  fence-post, 
the  top  of  a  small  tree,  or  other  prominent  object,  during  the  delivery  of 
his  song.  Its  habits  in  this  respect  vary  greatly,  however,  it  being  quite 
arboreal  in  some  localities,  as  was  conspicuously  the  case  at  Sacramento, 

1  See  pages  328-332. 

*  It  m&y  not  be  generally  known  that  many  of  the  terrestrial  Fringillidae  are  walk- 
/ers  as  well  as  hoppets.  Wo  have  often  seen  both  this  species  and  Melospis^a  fasciata 
walking  on  the  ground  with  a  step  as  firm  and  graceful  as  that  of  a  Meadow  Lark  or 
Blackbird. 


CHONDESTES  GRAMMACA.  469 

where  it  nested  almost  invariably  in  the  small  oak  trees  at  heights  varying 
from  15  to  30  feet  from  the  ground;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  in  southern 
Illinois,  where  the  proportionate  area  of  wood-land  is  much  greater,  we 
never  found  a  nest  of  this  species  except  on  the  ground,  notwithstanding 
many  nests  were  found.^ 

The  principal  characteristic  of  the  Lark  Sparrow  is  the  excellence  of 
its  song,  which  far  surpasses  that  of  any  other  member  of  the  family  we 
have  ever  heard,  while  in  sprightliness  and  continuity,  qualities  so  often 
lacking  in  our  finer  singers,  we  do  not  know  its  equal  in  any  bird 
We  have  not  heard  the  song  of  the  famed  Skylark  {Alauda  arvensis),  but 
from  numerous  descriptions  imagine  it  to  be  somewhat  similar  in  character 
to  that  of  the  present  bird ;  and  we  very  seriously  doubt  whether  it  is 
superior,  if,  indeed,  it  should  prove  equal.  The  Lark  Sparrow  sings  all  day 
long,  even  during  the  hottest  part  of  summer,  beginning  in  the  early  morn 
before  any  other  bird,  and  not  ceasing  until  the  darkening  of  the  evening 
shades  have  quieted  the  other  songsters;  often,  in  fact,  have  we  been  awak- 
ened at  night  by  its  song  when  all  else  was  quiet.  The  song  of  this  bird 
begins  with  a  chant  of  clear,  ringing  notes,  each  uttered  with  great  distinct- 
ness ;  then  follows  a  silvery  trill — the  very  expression  of  emotion — and  then 
a  succession  of  sprightly,  sparkling  notes,  varied  by  rising  and  falling 
cadences,  finally  dying  away  until  scarcely  audible,  but  immediately  resumed 
in  all  its  sprightliness  and  vigor,  and  continued  as  before,  until  the  singer 
seems  actually  exhausted  by  his  efforts. 

At  Sacramento  this  bird  is  known  as  the  Mexican  Lark;  it  was 
familiar  to  all  the  boys,  who  in  season  eagerly  searched  for  its  nests  in 
order  to  obtain  the  young,  which  were  readily  sold  in  the  city  for  $4.00 
per  pair. 

^  Many  other  birds  exhibit  the  same  variability  in  the  selection  of  a  site  for  their 
nests.  A  notoriously  variable  species  is  Garpodacus  frontalis  (see  p.  459);  and  Zmmdura 
caroUnensis  is  another  case  in  point,  this  species,  in  the  same  locality,  nesting  indiffer- 
ently on  the  ground,  on  the  top  of  a  stump  or  rock,  on  a  flat  fence-rail,  in  a  tree,  or  on 
the  remnant  of  an  old  nest  of  another  species.  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson  informs  me  that  he 
found  a  nest  of  Fipilo  erythrophthalmus  in  a  bush,  a  foot  or  two  from  the  ground,  on  Fox 
Prairie,  Illinois;  while  at  Mt.  Carrael,  in  the  same  State,  we  have  found  a  nest  of 
AgelcBus  phceniceus  in  an  elm  tree,  full  20  feet  from  the  ground,  and  a  nest  of  Oyanura 
cristata  inside  of  a  barn. 


470  OBNITHOLOGY. 

lAst  of  specimens. 

8,  nest  and  eggs  (3)^  Sacramento,  California,  June  8,  1867.  Lower  branch  of 
small  oak,  in  grove. 

30,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  11, 1867.  Cotton-wood  copse, 
ten  feet  from  ground, 

50,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  18, 1867.  Twenty  feet  from 
ground,  in  oak-grove. 

72,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  20, 1867.  Twenty  feet  from 
ground,  in  oak-grove. 

85,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  California,  June  2%^  1867.  Six  feet  from  ground, 
in  cotton-wood  copse. 

90,  nest  and  eggs ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  29, 1867.  Six  feet  from  ground, 
in  cotton- wood  copse. 

783,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Truckee  Eeservation,  Nevada,  June  3, 1868.  On  ground 
beneath  sage-bush,  on  mesa. 

960,  $  ad,)  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  20,  1869.  7J— llf .  Upper  mandible, 
brownish-ash,  lower  whitish-blue;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  brownish-white. 

1020,  nest  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22, 1869. 

1045,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  Salt  Lake  City,  May  25, 1869. 

•1046,  nest  and  eggs  (5) ;  same  locality  and  date. 

1047, 1048,  nests  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  2^^  1869. 

1056,  nest  and  e^g^^ ;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  27,  1869. 

1174,  nest  and  eggs  (4);.  Salt  Lake  City,  June  10, 1869. 

1176,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  17, 1869. 

1197,  nest  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  21, 1869. 

Nests,  all  on  the  ground  beneath  sage-bushes;  maximum  number  of  eggs,  five. 

ZONOTEIOHIA  LEUCOPHEYS. 
1¥liite-croiirned  Sparrow. 

Emleriza  leucophrysj  Forster,  Phil.  Trans.,  LXII,  1772,  382,  403,  426. 

Zonotrichia  leucophyrs^  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 32. — Baird,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  458,  pi.  69,  fig.  2 ;  Cat.  K.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  345.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 
1, 196.— CoxJES,  Key,  1872, 144;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  183.— B.  B.  &  E.,Hist. 
N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  566,  pi.  XXV,  figs.  9, 10.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  260. 

Throughout  the  Rocky  Mountain  ranges,  westward  to  the  very  verge 
of  the  desert-region  of  the  Great  Basin,  this  eastern  form  entirely  replaces 
in  summer  the  more  western  Z.  intermedia  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  It  was  a 
very  abundant  summer  species  in  the  elevated  parks  of  the  Wahsatch  and 
Uintah  Mountains,  where,  from  May  to  the  latter  part  of  August,  not  a 
single  individual  oiZ.  intermedia  was  found.  At  our  camp  in  Parley's  Park 
these  birds  were  our  most  familiar  neighbors,  and  by  reason  of  their  con- 
fiding habits  and  sweet  morning  carols  endeared  themselves  to  the  members 


ZONOTRICHIA  INTERMEDIA.  471 

of  the  party.     One  young  individual,  bred  in  a  nest  close  to  the  camp, 

became  so  sociable  as  to  visit  daily  the  cook's  tent  for  the  crumbs  scattered 

on  the  ground. 

List  of  specimens. 

1068,  9  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,.  XJtab,  May  29,  1869.  6J— 9J.  Bill,  orange-brown, 
lower  mandible  paler,  tips  of  botb  black ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  brown. 

1292,  nest  and  eggs  (5)5  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatcb  Mountains,  Utah,  Juno  26, 
1869.    Nest  on  ground,  under  Geranium  bush. 

1430,  $  ad.;  7— 9J.  1431, 9  ad.;  6^^9t.  Parley's  Park,  July  19, 1869.  Bill,  per- 
fectly uniform,  deep  purplish,  mahogany-brown;  iris,  brown;  tarsi,  reddish  hepatic- 
brown  ;  toes,  darker. 

1463,  S juv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  28,  1869.  6f — 10.  Bill,  mahoganybrown, 
darker  on  culmen  and  tip ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  purplish-brown. 

ZOKOTRICHIA  IKTERMBDIA. 
Bidgway's  Sparrow.^ 

{Moohf-um-pooh  of  the  Washoes;  Tou-oo-hootf -se-pah  of  the  Paiutes.) 

ZonotricMa  gambelij  Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  460  (part) ;  Gat.  N.  Am.  Birds, 

1859,  No.  346  (part).— Cooper,  Orn.  Oal.,  I,  1870, 195  (part). 
ZonotricMa  leucophrys  var.  gambeli^  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Oomp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872, 157, 
177.— OouES, Key,  1872, 145  (part);  Check  List,  1873, No.  183a  (part).— B.  B. 
&  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1, 1874,  569,  pi.  xxv,  figs.  11, 12. 
ZonotricMa  leucophrys  var.  intermedia^  EiDawAY,  Coues'  Check  List,.  App.,  1872, 
No.  183b.— CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  156.— Henshaw,  1875,  261,  pi.  Yn, 
fig.  2  (adult). 
At  the  Summit  Meadows,  the  most  elevated  portion  of  the  Donner 
Lake  Pass  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  these  birds  were  so  extremely  abundant 
on  the  9th  day  of  July,  that,  on  the  evening  we  camped  there,  twenty- 
seven  of  their  eggs  were  found  after  a  hurried  search  of  less  than  twenty 
minutes'  duration.    The  pleasing  songs  of  the  males  were  heard  on  every 
hand,  not  only  during  daylight,  but  at  intervals  through  the  night,  these 
songs  resembling  those  of  Z.  leucophrys,  although  they  seemed  somewhat 
more  vigorous  and  distinct.     They  were  exceedingly  unsuspicious  little 
birds,  the  pair  usually  remaining  close  by  when  their  nest  and  eggs 
were  being  appropriated,  the  male  even,  ou  several  occasions,  singing,  as 
he  perched  on  the  summit  of  a  neighboring  bush,  while  we  were  preparing 
the  eggs  for  preservation. 

^  CouES,  Birds  of  the  Northwest^  p.  166. 


472  OENITHOLOGY. 

List  of  speeimens, 

95,  96,  97,  98,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Summit  Meadows,  Donner  Lake  Pass,  Sierra 
Nevada,  July  9,  1867.    Maximum  number  of  eggs,  5;  usual  number,  4, 

172,  ^;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  7,  1867.  6^9^— 3j — 
2f^ — ^\ — }f — 23 — IJ.  Bill,  wax-yellow,  upper  mandible  more  oclier  reddish,  point 
of  culmen  and  gonys,  black;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  yellowish  horn-color. 

183,  i;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  11, 1867.  6f— 9^— 3— 2J— j7-_j_ 
2|| — ly7^.    Same  remarks. 

197,  ^;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  18, 1867.  6}f— 10^34--2f— j^t^— 
^3 — 3 — 1^9^.  Upper  mandible,  deep,  light  mahogany-brown,  inclining  to  wax-yellow  on 
rictus;  lower  mandible,  paler  than  upper,  inclining  to  deep  wax-yellow,  more  citreous 
basally;  extreme  point  of  culmen  and  gonys,  black;  iris,  umber;  tarsi,  clear,  liglit 
reddish  horn-color;  toes,  darker  and  more  opaque-brownish^ 

200,  ^;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  20, 1876.  6J— 9§— 3^— 2j^— y^^— 
3— 2|— 1^7^.    Same  remarks. 

201,  ^;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  20,  1867.  ^—d'i^3i—2j%— 
T« — M — 2g— 1^^.    Same  remarks. 

202,  9 ;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  20, 1867.  6|— 9}i— 3^— 2|— /g— 
1 3_2j| — If.    Same  remarks. 

207,  ^;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  21, 1867.  {Intermediate  between 
intermedia  and  leucophry8.\    6| — 9}| — SJ — 2]^ — f^ — 3 — 3 — If.    Same  remarks. 

209,  ^;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  21,  1867.  6J— 9§— 3^2|— y^— 
IE — 2|| — 1^.    Same  remarks. 

„      210,  (J;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  21,  1867.    6||— 9^—3^1^— 2^— 
T6 — S — -S — H'    Same  remarks. 

211,  (J;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  21,  1867.  7^^— 9^3y\— 2|— 
^7_ — 1.3 — 3 — 1|^    Same  remarks. 

212,  9;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  21,  1867.  7— 10— 3^— 2f— 37-— 
^ — 2J — 1|.    Same  remarks. 

385,  9;  TruckeeEeservation,  December  26, 1867.  6|— 9— 3— 2yV-T6— f— 2§— If- 
Same  remarks. 

930,  $'y  head  of  Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  25),  September  16, 1868.  7— 9J— (f)^ 
2|.    Same  remarks. 

939,  ^;  Uamp  25,  September  20, 1868.    7—93— (I)— 2^^.    9^°^®  remarks. 

944,  9;  Deep  Creek,  Utah,  October  5,  1868.    6^— 9|— (?)— 2/^.   Same  remarks. 

ZONOTRIOHIA  OOEONATA. 
Oolden-eroivned  Sparrow* 

JEmberiza  ooronata^  Pallas,  Zoog.  Rosso- As.,  II,  1811,  44,  pi.  [5]  lig.  1  (^  ad.). 

Zonotrichia  coronata^  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 461 ;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  347.— Cooper, 
Orn.  Cal.,  I,  197.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  145;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  184;  Birds 
N.W.,  1874, 159  (8uh  Z.  querula).—B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 573,  pi. 
XXVI,  fig,  1. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  seen  by  us  was  the  one  obtained, 


JUNCO  OREGONUS.  473 

which  was  shot  from  a  flock  of  Z,  intermedia.  Its  occurrence  on  the  West 
Humboldt  Mountains  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  many  of  the 
Pacific-coast  species  have  a  tendency  to  straggle  eastward  during  their 
migrations,  among  those  which  reach  this  range,  besides  the  bird  under 
consideration,  being  Melospiza  guttata^  Pipilo  oregonus,  Lanivireo  cassini, 
Helminthophaga  lutescenSj  etc/     [See  pp.  379,  380.] 

List  of  specimens. 

237,  2  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada  (Camp  19),  October  7, 1867.  7||— 
lOJ— 3f— 2|— fl — I — 3|-— IJ.  Upper  mandible,  slaty  horn-color,  darker  on  culmen, 
tomium  paler;  lower  mandible,  pale  lilaceous-brown ;  iris,  olivaceous-hazel ;  tarsi  and 
toes,  clear  horn-color. 

JUNCO  OREGONUS. 
Oregon  Siiow«bird. 

{Tall' -hah-klai' 'Uh  of  the  Washoes ;  NeboK-tone  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Fringilla  oregona,  Townsend,  Jour.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Pbila.,  VII,  1837, 188. 

Junco  oregonus^  Sclater,  Pr.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1857,  7. — Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 
^m ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  347.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  199.— Coues, 
Key,  1872,  141 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  175 ;  B.  N. W.,  1874,  142.— B.  B  &  R., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I,  1874,  584,  pi.  xxvi,  fig.  2.— Henshaw,  1875,  267. 

Juneo  hyemalis  var.  oregonus,  RinawAY,  Am.  Nat.,  1873,  613. 

This  representative  of  the  Eastern  Snow-bird  (eT".  hyemalis)  is  very 
abundant  in  winter  from  the  Pacific  coast  to  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  but  in 
summer  has  a  more  restricted  distribution,  being  then  confined  to  the  conif- 
erous forest-region  of  the  higher  western  ranges.  At  the  Summit  Meadows, 
nearly  7,000  feet  above  the  sea,  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  it  was  one  of  the 
commonest  and  most  characteristic  birds  of  the  locality,  but  eastward  of 
these  mountains  none  were  seen  during  the  summer.  In  its  winter  migra- 
tions this  bird  shows  the  same  remarkable  movements  as  Zonotrichia  inter- 
mediaj  Turdus  guttatuSj  etc.,  for  while  its  summer  habitat  seems  strictly  lim- 
ited on  the  eastward  to  the  Sierra  Nevada,  it  becomes  generally  dispersed 
in  winter  over  the  entire  area  of  the  Western  Region,  being  a  more  or 

^According  to  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson,  an  adult  male  of  Z,  coronata  was  captured  by  Dr. 
Hoy,  a^Bacine,  Wisconsin,  during  the  spring  migration. 


474  ORNITHOLOGY. 

less  regular  visitant  during  that  season  as  far  east  as  Kansas.  We  did 
not,  however,  meet  with  it  farther  eastward  than  the  East  Humboldt 
Mountains. 

In  all  respects  this  species  appears  to  be  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the 
eastern  J.  hyemaliSj  being  equally  familiar  in  its  habits  duiring  winter,  while 
its  notes  are  apparently  precisely  similar. 

lAst  of  specimens. 

224:^  9  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  October  3, 1867.  6—9—3—2^- 
g — I — 2^ — If.  Bill,  delicate  lilaceous- white,  the  point  dusky ;  iris,  burnt-sienna;  tarsi, 
clear  horn- white ;  toes,  deep  sepia. 

378,  $  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  Nevada,  December  24, 1867.  6f — 9J-:3J— 2^— 
/^ — I — 2| — l^.    Same  remarks. 

384,  $  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  December  26, 1867.  6J—9J— 3^21—3^ — \\-^ 
2| — If.    Iris,  purplish-claret ;  tarsi,  dilute  reddish-umber ;  toes,  darker  leaden-umber. 

484,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  3, 1868.  6|— 9f— 3^— 2f .  Iris,  dark  pur- 
plish-carmine. 

485,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  3,  1868.  6J— 9J— 34— 2}^.  Same  re- 
marks. 

938,^  adj.;  Trout  Creek,  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  Sept.  19,  1868.  6^— 9|— 2|. 
Upper  mandible,  light  sepia-brown,  the  tip  black )  lower  mandible,  pinkish-white  5  iris, 
madder-brown ;  tarsi,  dilute  sepia;  toes,  deeper  sepia. 


JUNOO  CANICBPS. 

Oray-lieaded  Snow-bird. 

Strufhus  canicepsj  Woodhouse,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad,,  1852,  202. 

Junco  caniceps,  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  468,  pi.  72,  fig.  1 ;  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859, 

No.  353.— CooPBE,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  201.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  I, 

1874, 587,  pi.  XXVI,  fig.  3. 
Junco  dnereus  var.  caniceps,  CouBS,  Key,  1872, 141 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  176 ; 

B.  N.W.,  1874,  143.— Henshaw,  1875,  269. 
Juneo  hyemalis  var.  caniceps^  RroawAY,  Am.  Nat.,  1873,  613. 

The  Gray-headed  Snow-bird  was  met  with  only  in  the  pine  forests  of 
the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mountains,  where  it  was  rather  common  from 
May  to  August,  inclusive.  Its  habits  and  notes  closely  resemble  those  of 
J.  hyemalis  and  J.  oregonus,  but  its  song,  a  simple  monotonous  trill,  is 
somewhat  louder  and  more  steady. 


AMPHISPIZA  BILINEATA.  475 

Amphispiza  BILINEATA, 

Black-tliroated  Sparrow. 

{Wulf -tU'Ze-ze  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Emheriza  Ulineata^  Oassin,  Pr.  Ac.  ISfat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1850, 104,  pi.  3. 

Poospiza  hilineataj  Solateb,  Proc,  ZooL  Soc.  Lond.,  1857,  7. — Baibd,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  470;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  355.— Ooopeb,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  203.— 
COUES,  Key,  1872,  140;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  172.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am. 
B.,  I,  1874,  590,  pi.  XXVI,  fig.  8.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  274. 

Amphispiza  Ulineata^  CouES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  234.^ 

This  interesting  little  bird  was  found  throughout  the  sage-brush  country, 
the  most  desert- tracts  of  which  are  its  favorite  abode.  It  was  equg^Uy  com- 
mon in  the  western  depression  and  in  the  Salt  Lake  Valley,  as  well  as  in 
intermediate  localities.  Unlike  the  A.  nevadensis,  which  frequents  chiefly 
the  more  thrifty  growth  of  artemisia  in  the  damper  valleys,  this  species 
prefers  the  arid  mesas,  where  the  growth  is  scant  and  stunted ;  and  we 
found  it  nowhere  else  so  abundant  as  on  the  Carson  Desert,  near  the 
Soda  Lakes,  where  much  of  the  surface  consisted  of  loose,  shifting  sand. 
It  also  differs  markedly  from  that  species  in  being  migratory,  being 
merely  a  summer  sojourner,  and  one  of  the  latest  to  arrive,  few,  if  any, 
making  their  appearance  in  the  Truckee  Valley  before  the  first  of  May,  the 
advance  individuals  being  noted  on  the  13th  of  that  month,  in  1868. 

Like  A.  nevadensis.  this  species  is  remarkable  for  its  peculiar  song, 
which  in  pensive  tone  and  sad  expression  harmonizes  so  perfectly  with  its 
desolate  surroundings.  It  is  from  this  song  that  the  Indian  name^  Wut-tu- 
ze-ze,  is  derived,  for  the  notes  are  very  nearly  expressed  by  the  syllables 
wut\  wut\  zeeeeehj  repeated  once  or  twice,  the  first  two  notes  quick  and 
distinct,  the  last  one  a  prolouged,  silvery  trill.  Frequently  a  singer  reverses, 
at  each  alternate  repetition  of  the  song,  the  accent  of  the  first  and  last 
portions,  thus  producing  a  very  peculiar  effect. 

List  of  specimens, 

106,  Sjm.;  valley  of  the  Truckee,  July  25, 1867.  5J— 8J— 2J— 2^— ^— }J— 2,:^ 
— If.    Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-black ;  lower,  pale  blue,  lilaceous  basally,  the  tip, 

dusky;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  plumbeous  sepia. 

^ , .^ 

'  ^^ Amphispiza^  OouES,  n.  g.  (type  Emheriza  hilineata^  Cass.).'' 


476  ORNITHOLOGY. 

123,  JMt;.;  Truckee  Valley,  August  6, 1867.  5|— 8J-.2|-«2i— 1^|— 2g— Ij.  Same 
remarks. 

107  Juv.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  4, 1807.  5|— 8^— 2|— 2^^— g— 
g — 2J — 1^.    Same  remarks. 

961,  i  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  20,  1869.  6|— 8^.  Upper  mandible  a»d 
tip  of  lower,  deep  black,  rest  of  lower  plumbeous- blue;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes, 
purplish-plumbeous. 

1113,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  6,  1869.  Nest 
in  sage-bush. 

1126,  1127,  nests  and  eggs  (3, 1);  Antelope  Island,  June  7, 1869.  Nests  in  sage- 
bushes,  one  foot  from  ground. 

1136,  nest ;  Antelope  Island,  June  8,  1869.    Sage-bush,  one  foot  above  ground. 

1195,  1196,  nests  and  eggs  (3);  Salt  Lake  City,  June  21,  1869.  Nests  in  sage- 
bushes,  about  one  foot  from  ground. 

1403, 1403,  nests ;  valley  of  the  Weber  River,  July,  1869.    [J.  C.  Olmstead.] 


Amphispiza  NEVADENSIS. 

Artemisia  Sparrow. 

(Tok! -et-se-whaW  of  the  Paiutes.) 

'^Poospiza  bellii,^^  Baied,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  470  (part);  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No. 

356.-.COOPEB,  Orn.  Oal.,  1, 1870,  204  (part).— Coues,  Key,  1872,  141  (part) ; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  173.    [Not  P.  bellii,  Cass.] 
Poospiza  bellii  var,  nevadensisj  Ridg-way,  Bull.  Essex  Inst.,  V,  Nov.,  1873,  191. — 

Coues,  Check  List,  1873,  App.,  p.  127.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  1, 1874, 

594,  pi.  XXVI,  fig.  9.— Henshaw,  1875,  275,  pi.  xi  (adnlt). 
Amphispiza  hellii^  Coues,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  234  (part). 

The  distribution  of  this  species  seems  to  be  strictly  governed  by  that 
of  the  sage-brush  plants,  since  it  is  present  in  nearly  all  districts  where 
these  are  found,  while  it  is  apparently  wanting  in  localities  of  any  other 
description.  It  is  most  partial  to  the  ifloistef  valleys,  where  the  growth 
is  most  thrifty,  and  in  such  places  is  generally  the  most  abundant  bird. 
It  was  observed  to  be  most  numerous  in  the  valleys  of  the  western 
depression,  few  being  seen  in  the  Salt  Lake  Valley,  where  the  A.  bUineata 
was  so  abundant;  but  it  does  occur  there,  as  well  as  much  farther  east- 
ward— at  least  to  the  valleys  of  Green  River  and  its  tributary  streams. 
In  the  neighborhood  of  Carson  City  it  was  by  far  the  most  abundant  bird 
of  the  open  wastes,  and  its  abundance  did  no|^  abate  with  the  approach 
of  winter.     In  walking  through  the  sage-brusli  one  was  almost  certain  to 


AMPHISPIZA  NEVADENSIS.  477 

see  these  birds  at  every  few  steps.  They  were  exceedingly  unsuspicious, 
and  very  reluctant  to  take  flight,  if  not  pursued  too  persistently ;  merely 
keeping  a  few  feet  in  advance,  running  swiftly  on  the  ground,  their  tails 
elevated  at  an  angle  of  about  45^,  but  unexpanded,  and  keeping  thusMn 
front  for  several  rods;  when  too  nearly  approached,  merely  dodging  in  and 
out  among  the  low  bushes,  or  concealing  themselves  momentarily  behind 
a  scraggly  shrub.  Should  they  be  startled,  even,  they  merely  fly  up,  with 
a  chipping  twitter,  and  after  a  short  meandering  flight  for  a  few  rods,  again 
alight  and  run  out  of  sight. 

They  began  singing  toward  the  last  of  February,  and  by  the  beginning 
of  April  the  first  eggs  were  laid.  During  a  walk  through  the  sage-brush, 
on  the  ninth  of  the  latter  month,  several  nests  were  found,  the  female  in 
nearly  every  instance  betraying  the  position  of  the  nest  by  remaining  on 
it  until  we  had  approached  quite  near.  Often,  by  carefully  watching  the 
ground  a  rod  or  two  ahead,  did  we  detect  one  of  these  birds  steal  slyly  out 
from  beneath  a  scraggly,  usually  nearly  prostra^te,  bush,  and,  with  tail 
elevated,  run  rapidly  and  silently  away  and  soon  disappear  in  the  shrub- 
bery. On  such  an  occasion,  a  careful  examination  of  the  spot  was  almost 
certain  to  reveal  an  artfully-concealed  nest,  eithewmbedded  in  the  ground, 
or,  as  was  more  rarely  the  case,  resting  among  the  lower  branches  of 
the  bush. 

The  song  of  this  bird,  although  not  brilliant  in  execution  nor  by  any 
means  loud,  is  nevertheless  of  such  a  character  as  to  attract  attention.  It 
has  a  melancholy  pensiveness,  remarkably  in  accord  with  the  dreary  monot- 
ony of  the  surt'oundings,  yet  as  a  sort  of  compensation,  is  possessed  of  deli- 
cacy of  expression  and  peculiar  pathos — just  as  the  fine  lights  and  shadows 
on  the  sunlit  mountains,  combined  with  a  certain  vagueness  in  the  dreamy 
distance,  subdue  the  harsher  features  of  the  desert  landscape.  This  song, 
when  first  heard  was  mistaken  for  that  of  a  lark  {Sturnella  negleda)  half  a 
mile  or  so  away;  but  we  soon  found  that  the  bird  was  scarcely  two  rods 
distant.  The  early  spring  is  when  they  sing  most  beautifully,  the  usual 
note  during  other  seasons  being  a  faint  twitter  or  chirp,  generally  uttered  as 
one  chases  another  through  the  sage-brush. 


478  OBNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  specimens. 

151,  S  ad.;  valley  of  the  Humboldt  (Oreana),  August  31, 1867.  6.^— 10— 3J— 2f— 
I — J — 2}f — 1t^.  Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-black,  tomium  paler ;  lower,  pure  pale, 
bluish-lilaceous  basally,  the  tip  plumbeous;  iris,  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  bluish-sepia. 

157,  (J  ofl!.;  Camp  17,  September  2, 1867.  6|— 10— 3J— 2J— .^^ — {^3^1^.  Tarsi 
and  toes,  purplish -black. 

182,  S  ad,;  Wright's  Canon,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  11,  1867. 
6g— 8^ — 34 — 2\l — J|-^| — 3 — IJ.  Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-black,  edged  with  whi- 
tish 5  lower,  pale  blue,  the  tip  of  the  gonys  dusky ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  liver- 
brown  with  a  plumbeous  cast. 

379,  9  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  December  26,  1867.  (Sage-brush  of  the  mesa.) 
7 — 9j — 3^—2^1^ — ^^g — I — 3 — l^V  Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-slate ;  lower  mandible 
and  commissure,  pure,  fine,  light  plumbeous-blue,  the  tip  dusky ;  iris,  reddish  vandyke ; 
tarsi,  deep  sepia-brown ;  toes,  more  blackish. 

SSO^i  ad.;  same  locality,  date,  etc.  6|— 9f— 3|— 2f  ^\  |  3j— 1^.  Same  re- 
marks. 

622,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868. 

635,  nest  and  eggs  (3),-  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868. 

637,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  same  locality  and  date.  (Nests  on  the  ground,  underneath 
sage-bushes.) 


Spizella  MONTICOLA. 

Canada  Sparrow;  Tree  Sparrow. 

Fringilla  monticola,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  T,  1788,  912. 

Spizella  monticola,  Baied,  Birds  N.  Am,,  1858,  427  5  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 
357._C00PBE,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  206.— CoUBS,  Key,  1872, 142  5  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  177;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 146.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 
3,  pi.  XXVII,  fig.  5.— Henshaw,  1876,  277. 

During  the  winter  this  well-known  Sparrow  was  common  and  very 
generally  distributed  through  the  valleys  of  the  western  depression  of  the 
Great  Basin.  As  in  the  East,  it  associated  with  Snow-birds  and  White- 
crowned  Sparrows,  although  in  this  case  its  companions  were  different 
species  (Junco  oregonm  and  Zonotrichia  intermedia,  instead  of  J.  hyemalis  and 

Z.  leucophrps). 

List  of  specimens, 

301,  i  ad.;  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  19, 1867.  6|— 9^—34— 2}J—g— 
f— 3— 1|.  Upper  mandible,  deep  black,  base  of  the  culmen,  yellow ;  lower  mandible, 
citreous  waxyellow  on  basal  two-thirds,  then  lilaoeouswhite,  the  tip  black;  iris, 
brown  j  tarsi,  deep  reddish  sienna-brown  5  toes,  blackish-brown. 


SPIZBLLA  AEIZON^.  479 

Spizblla  SOOIALIS. 

Chipping  Sparrow. 

/?.  arkofUB. 
{80' -ho-quoj/ -e-tse  of  the  Slioshoiies.) 

Spizella  socialiSy  Baied,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  473  (part);  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859, 

No.  359  (part).— OooPEE,  Orn.  Oal.,  1, 1870,207. 
Spizella  socialis  var.  arizoncBj  OouES,  Key,  1872, 143;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  178a. 

— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  K  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  11.— Henshaw,  1876,  277. 
Spizella  socialis.  a.  arizoncBj  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  148. 

The  common  Chipping  Sparrow  was  found  to  be  very  generally 
distributed,  although  it  was  a  commoner  species  in  the  valley  portions  than 
on  the  mountains.  It  was  a  strictly  arboreal  bird,  however,  and  thus  in- 
habited different  localities  from  S.  brewerij  even  when  both  were  found 
in  the  same  neighborhood.  In  the  environs  of  Sacramento  City  it  was 
particularly  numerous;  and  although  the  door-yards,  gardens,  and  orchards 
were  alike  inhabited  by  it,  the  groves  of  small  oak-trees  in  the  inclosed 
fields  were  its  favorite  abode,  where  it  nested  in  company  with  Chondestes 
grammaca^  Chrysomitris  tristiSj  and  othep  equally  abundant  species. 

In  the  Interior  it  was  found  in  all  wooded  districts,  but,  contrary  to 
the  rule  elsewhere,  was  less  abundant  among  the  cotton -woods  of  the 
river-valleys  than  in  the  groves  of  cedars  and  mahoganies  on  the  lower 
slopes  of  the  mountains,  of  which  it  was  eminently  characteristic.  No- 
where did  we  find  it  in  greater  abundance  than  among  these  woods  on  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby  Mountains,  for  there  it  was  the  most  numerous 
of  all  the  birds  in  July  and  August,  associating  in  large  flocks  during  the 
latter  month,  evidently  preparing  for  their  departure  southward,  which 
commenced  in  September.  We  have  never  observed  the  eastern  form  of 
this  species  to  be  gregarious  to  this  extent,  but  no  differences  could  be 
detected  in  its  habits  during  ihe  breeding-season,  nor  in  any  of  its  notes. 

List  of  specimens. 

848,  ?flw2.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  20, 1868.  5J— 84— (?)— 2^.  Bill,dark 
sepia-slate,  darker  terminally,  lower  mandible  more  lilaceous;  iris,  vandyke;  tarsi  and 
toes,  pinkish  sepia-wbite. 

860,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Ruby  Mountains  (east  slope),  altitude  about  8,000  feet, 
August  5, 1868.    I>rest  in  mountainmabogany  tree,  six  feet  from  ground. 

1187,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  Oity  (Gity  Greek  Gafion),  Utah,  June  19, 1869. 
Nest  in  scrub-oak,  six  feet  from  ground. 


480  OENITUOLOGY. 

Spizblla  BEBWEBI. 

Brewer's  Sparrow. 

Spizella  hreweri,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  VIII,  1856,  40— Baied,  B.  N. 
Am.,  1858,  475  5  Oat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  361.— Coopee,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
209. 

Spizella  pallida  var.  hreweri,  OOUES,  Key,  1872, 143;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  180a; 
B.  N.W.,  1874, 151.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 13,  pi.  xxvii,  fig. 
4.— Henshaw,  1875,  279. 

A  counterpart  of  the  eastern  Field  Sparrow  (S,  pusilla),  in  its  predilec- 
tion for  fields,  or  any  open  bushy  localities,  this  species  was  found  in  every 
place  adapted  to  its  habits.  It  was  first  observed  at  Sacramento,  where  it 
was  quite  common,  inhabiting  the  bushy  fields  along  with  Chondestes  gram- 
maca,  Coturniculus  perpallidus,  and  Sturnella  negleda.  In  the  sage-brush 
country,  eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  it  was  still  more  numerous  than 
in  the  Sacramento  Valley;  and  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the  Great 
*Basin  was  everywhere  one  of  the  commonest  birds  of  the  open  wastes,  and 
an  almost  constant  associate  of  Oreoscoptes  montanus  and  the  two  species 
of  Amphispim. 

The  resemblance  of  this  species  to  S.  pusilla  extends  no  further  than  to 
a  similarity  of  general  habits,  however,  for  its  nest  and  eggs  are  extremely 
different,  being  more  like  those  of  S,  socialisj  while  its  song  is  remarkable 
for  vivacity  and  variety,  in  this  respect  fully  equaling  that  of  the  best 
Canaries,  though  it  is  considerably  inferior  to  the  latter  in  power.  It  is 
interspersed  throughout  with  a  variety  of  trills  or  water-notes,  and  plaintive 
chants  which  resemble  somewhat  the  well-known  notes  of  the  Field  Sparrow. 

List  of  specimens. 

106,  ?  ad.;  valley  of  the  Trackee,  Nevada,  July  24,  1867.  5g— 7/^—2/^— 2-.y\— 
f— 2J— IJ.  Bill,  pale  lilaceous-brown,  darker  aloog  the  oulmen ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi 
and  toes,  pale  brownish  flesh-color. 

785,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Truckee  Reservation,  Jane  3, 1868.  Nest  in  sage  bush, 
about  three  feet  from  ground. 

810,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  "Old  River''  (near  sink  of  Oarson),  Nevada,  June  27, 1868. 
Nest  in  sage-bush,  about  four  feet  from  ground. 

834,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Austin,  Nevada,  July  4, 1868.    Sagebush. 

874,  ad.;  Ruby  Valley,  Nevada,  August  28,  1868.  5^— 8— (f )— 2J.  Upper  man- 
dible, black,  approaching  to  ashy-lilac  on  the  tomiura;  lower  mandible,  lilaceousashy; 
iris,  ashy-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  grayish  horn-color. 


MELOSPIZA  HEERMANNL  481 

1049,  1050,  nests  and  eggs ;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  26, 1869.  Nests  in  sage- 
bushes,  about  three  feet  from  ground. 

1059,  1060,  nests  and  eggs  (3) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  27,  1869. 

1067,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29,  1869. 

1077,  1078,  nests  and  eggs  (4) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  1,  1869. 

1091,  1097, 1098,  1099,  nests  and  egers;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  Jaue  4, 
1869. 

1115  (3),  1116, 1117, 1118,  nests  and  eggs ;  Antelooe  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June 
5,  1869. 

1119  (3),  1120  (3),  1121  (3),  1122,  nests  and  eggs;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt 
Lake,  June  7, 1869. 

1128,  nest  and  egg  (1) ;  Antelope  Island,  June  7,  1869.    Nest  in  sage-bush. 

1132,  ?  ad;  Antelope  Island,  June  5,  1869. 

1137  (3),  1138  (3),  1139,  nests  and  eggs;  Antelope  Island,  June  8,  1869. 

1152,  nest  and  eggs ;  Antelope  Island,  June  9,  1869. 

1156,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  southern  shore.  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  11,  1869. 
All  nests  in  sage-bushes,  about  three  feet  from  ground. 

1157,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Rabbit  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  11, 1868.  Nest  in 
grease- wood  bush. 

1164  (4),  1165  (3),  1166  (3),  nests  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  14,  1809. 

1171,  1172, 1173,  nests  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  16,  1869. 

1176  (4),  1177  (2),  nests  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  17,  1869. 

1198,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  City,  June  21, 1869. 

1236,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  23,  1869. 

1318,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.    Nest  in  sage-bush. 

1354,  nest  and  eggs ;  Parley's  Park,  June  27,  1869.    In  sage-bush. 

1396  (2),  1397  (1),  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  July,  1869.  Nests  in  sage- 
bushes. 

1406  and  1407,  nests ;  Cash  Valley,  July,  1869.    [J.  C.  Olmstead.] 

1466,  ?  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  28,  1869.  5g-- 
7§.  Bill,  yellowish-lilac,  upper  half  of  upper  mandible  dark  plumbeous;  iris,  brown; 
tarsi  and  toes,  light  brown. 

1482,  ?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  30,  1869.    5|— 7f. 

Melospiza  fasoiata* 

Song  (Sparrow. 

J3,  heermanni. 

(See' 'hoot' 'Se-pah  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Melospiza  heermanni^  Bated,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 478 ;  lb.,  ed.  1860, 478,  pi.  70,  fig.  1 ; 

Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  364.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  212. 
Melospiza  melodia  var.  heermanniy  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  139 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No, 

169d.— B.  B.  &  R.,  HiQt.  N.  Am.  B.,  IF,  1874,  24,  pi.  xxvii,  fig.  9.— Henshaw, 

1875,  282. 
Melospiza  melodia.  a.  heermanni^  CoUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  139. 
31  PR 


482  ORNITHOLOGY. 

y.  faUax, 

Zonotrichia  fallax^  Baibd,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1854,  119. 
Meloapim  fallax,  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  481;  ed.  1860,  481,  pi.  27,  fig.  2;  Cat. 
N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  367.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  215. 

Melospiza  melodia  xq,t.  fallaxj  Coues,  Key,  1872,  139;  Check  List,  1873,  Ko. 
169a.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  22,  pL  xxvii,  fig.  10.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875,  281. 

Melospiza  melodia,  a,fallaxj  Coues,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  139. 

6,  guttata, 

Fringilla  (Passerella)  guttata^  Nuttall,  Man.,  I,  2d  ed.,  1840,  581. 

Melospiza  melodia  var.  guttata^  Coues,  Key,  1872,  139;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

169b.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  27,  pi.  xxvil,  fig.  12. 
Melospiza  melodia.  f.  guttata^  CouES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  139. 
^^Melospiza  rujina,^^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  480;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  366. 

[Not  Emheriza  rufina^  Brandt,  1S^Q^=^  Melospiza  rufina.] 

Speaking  of  its  different  races  collectively,  the  Song  Sparrow  is  a 
widely-distributed  bird.  The  race  known  as  M.  heermanni  was  very  com- 
mon in  the  thickets  at  Sacramento,  and  also  throughout  western  Nevada, 
its  eastern  limit  being,  apparently,  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  where 
the  M.  fallax  began  to  replace  it ;  the  latter  being  the  only  form  found 
thence  to  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mountains  of  Utah.  The  more  north- 
ern M.  guttata  was  encountered  only  in  the  range  above  mentioned,  where 
a  very  few  individuals  were  found  in  the  month  of  October,  in  the  sheltered 
canons  of  the  eastern  slope.  Since  Zonotrichia  coronata  was  met  with  in  the 
same  locality,  it  is  likely  that,  as  in  the  case  of  the  latter  species,  they  were 
not  residents,  but  migrants  from  the  northwestward.  Whatever  the  race, 
however,  the  habits,  and,  so  far  as  we  could  judge,  the  notes  also,  were 
nearly  the  same,  the  geographical  modifications  in  these  respects  being  by 
no  means  in  proportion  to  those  of  form  and  plumage. 

The  Song  Sparrow  was  found  to  be  most  partial  to  the  dense  thickets 
along  streams  or  in  the  vicinity  of  other  bodies  of  water,  and  was  conse- 
quently most  frequently  seen  in  the  lower  valleys;  indeed,  we  have  no 
recollection  of  having  observed  it  at  a  greater  elevation  than  the  meadow- 
like parks  of  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  where  the  var.  fallax  was  abundant 
among  the  willows  bordering  the  streams,  along  with  Passerella  schistacea. 


MELOSPIZA  HBERMANNI— M.  FALLAX.  483 

According  to  our  notes  it  was  there  confined  to  the  floor  of  the  park,  or 
did  not  ascend  to  any  great  distance  up  the  canons  along  the  streams.  At 
Sacramento,  as  well  in  the  river-valleys  of  western  Nevada,  it  was  common 
among  the  iules  or  rushes  fringing  the  sloughs  and  ponds  near  the  larger 
bodies  of  water.  The  species  was  stationary  in  all  portions  of  its  range,  or 
at  least  did  not  perform  more  than  a  partial  vertical  migration,  although 
the  fact  that  individuals  of  the  var.  guttata  were  met  with  in  the  West 
Hvmiboldt  Mountains  would  seem  to  indicate  that  while  the  species,  col- 
lectively, may  be  found  in  one  locality  throughout  the  year,  individuals 
poTform  more  or  less  of  a  latitudinal  migration. 

List  of  specimens, 
^.  heermanni, 

150  ?  ad.;  Humboldt  River  (Oreana),  August  31,  1867.  7— 9J— 3— 2^— J— g— 
3 — (2§).  Bill,  dull  liver-browQ,  the  upper  mandible  darker,  nearly  black  on  the  culmen  ; 
iria,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  liver-brown. 

216,  (J  ad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  24, 1867, 
6|— 81^— 2|— 24— yV-}|--2f— -1  J.  Bill,  blackish  hepatic-olive,  paler  and  more  slaty 
on  lower  mandible ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  purplish  horn-color. 

236,  c?  ad.;  Camp  19,  October  7,  1867.  6f— 9— 2J— 2^7__^7__i3_3_l^^  Upper 
mandible,  slaty  horn-black,  lower  paler  brownish-slaty;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes, 
pale  horn-color. 

368,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  Nevada,  December  25,  1867.  7—9^—2^—2/^— 
y^^ — II — 3J — IJ.  Upper  mandible  horn-black,  paler  along  tomium  ;  lower,  brownisli- 
slaty. 

381,  ?  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  December  26,  1867.  64— 8f  — 2||— 2J— /,_i  3_ 
2| — 1|.  Upper  mandible  hepatic-black,  paler  along  tomium ;  lower,  lilaceous-brovvn, 
with  yellowish  tinge  basally  beneath. 

382,  9  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  December  26, 1867.  6|— 8J— 2f— 2y\— pV— J— 
2J — If.    Same  remarks. 

7 13 


383,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  December  26, 1867.    ef— 8§— 2-}|— 2f — j7_ 


i(^ 


3 — 1^.     Same  remarks. 

470,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  28,  1868.  6|— 8|i— 2i— 2^.  Upi)er 
mandible,  plumbeous-black,  tomium  paler ;  lower,  dull  plumbeous,  with  lUaceous  glow 
basally  and  beneath  ;  iris,  bister;  tarsi,,  whitish-brown  ;  toes,  deeper  brown. 

479,  $  ad.;  Carson,  March  30, 1868.    6f— 8§— 2|f— 2/^.    Same  remarks. 

y.  fallax. 

890, >v.;  Camp  22,  Euby  Valley,  Nevada,  September  4,  1868.  6J-.8^— (?)~24. 
Bill,  lilaceous  ashy-brown,  darkest  terminally,  lower  mandible  more  lilaceous;  rictus, 
pale  yellow;  iris,  very  dark  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  lilaceous-sepia,  latter  pale 
yellow  beneath. 


484  ORNITHOLOGY. 

931,  9a(f.;  Cauip  25,  Humboldt  Valley,  September  IG,  1868.  G^— Sy^^— (f)— 2f^. 
Same  remarks  as  to  No.  470. 

945,  $  ad,;  Camp  35,  Deep  Creek,  Utah,  October  5, 18G8.  G|— 8|— (?)— 2J.  Same 
remarks. 

94G,  9  ad.;  Camp  35,  Deep  Creek,  Utah,  October  5,  1868.  6^— 8— (I)— 2J.  Same 
remarks. 

947, 9  «rf.;  Camp  35,  Deep  Creek,  Utab,  October  5, 1868.  GJ— 85— (!)— 2J.  Same 
remarks. 

948,  9  ad.;  Camp  35,  Deep  Creek,  Utab,  October  5.  6f— 8^-^(1)— 2yV  Same 
remarks. 

1228,  nest  aud  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utab,  June  23, 1869. 
Nest  among  bushes  in  willow-thicket  along  stream,  about  one  foot  from  ground. 

1232,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  23,  1869.    Situated  like  preceding. 

1275,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  Parley's  Park,  June  24,  1869.  Nest  in  thorn-apple  bush 
along  stream,  six  feet  from  ground. 

1314,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.    Nest  in  willows  by  stream. 

1327,  1328;  nests  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.    Nests  in  willows. 

1363,  1364 ;  nests  and  eggs  (4) ;  Pack's  Canon,  Uintah  Mountains,  July  4,  1869. 
Nests  in  willows  by  stream,  about  three  feet  from  ground. ' 

1388, 1389;  nests ;  Provo  River,  Utah,  July  10, 1869.     Willows. 

1391,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Provo  River,  July  11, 1869.    Nest  in  willows  by  stream. 

1405,  nest;  Bear  River  Valley,  July,  1869.    (Collected  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Olmstead.) 

1419,  nest  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  July  16,  1869. 

1457,  6  juv,;  July  26,  1869.  6|— 9|,  Bill,  dark  hepatic-plumbeous,  lower  man- 
dible with  pinkish  flush,  the  upper  almost  black  on  the  culmen ;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and 
toes,  deep  purplish-brown. 

1461,  nest;  Parley's  Park,  July  26, 1869.    Willows  by  stream. 

1465,  S  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  28, 1869.   6J-.8J.    Same  remarks  as  to  No.  1457. 

1475,  ?>?;.;  July  29, 1869.    6^—8^.    Same  remarks. 

1506,  ^jwi7.;  August  13,  1869.    6J— 9.    Same  remarks. 

d,  guttata. 

223,  9  ad.;  Camp  19,  October  3, 1867.  6f— 8^— 2|^2i— yV— S— ^S—^i-  O^PP^r 
mandible  horn-black,  paler  along  tomium ;  lower,  horn-blue,  darker  terminally. 

Mblospiza  lincolnl 

JLincoln's  Sparrour* 

Fringilla  Uncolnii,  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  539,  pi.  193. 

Melospiza  lineonii,  Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  483;  Catal.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859, 
No.  368.— COOPEE,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  216.— CoUBS,  Key,  1872, 138;  Check  List, 
No.  167;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  135.— B.  B.  &  R,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 
31,  pi.  XXVII,  fig.  13.— Henshaw,  1875,  283. 

During  the  summer  we  found  this  species  only  in  the  elevated  parks 
of  the  higher  mountain  ranges;  but  during  its  migrations  it  was  very  plenti- 


PASSERELLA  MEGARHYNCHA.  485 

ful  in  the  lower  valleys.    In  Parley's  Park  it  was  a  rather  common  summer 

resident,  inhabiting  the  open  slopes  or  level  pieces  of  ground  covered  by 

low  shrubs,  weeds,  and  grass,  in  company  with  ZonotricJiia  leucophrys  and 

Pooecetes  confinis.     We  did  not  hear  its  song,  but  its  ordinary  note  was  a 

rather  strong  chuck^  much  Uke  that  of  Passerella  schistacea.     In  the  autumn 

it  was  common  among  the  willows  along  Deep  Creek,  in  northwestern  Utah, 

and  in  April  was  quite  abundant  in  the  bushy  fields  at  the  base  of  the  Sierra 

Nevada,  near  Carson  City,  particularly  in  places  near  springs  or  close  by 

the  streams. 

List  of  specimens. 

•563,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  29, 1868.  S^?^— 7 J— 2f — 2.  Upper  raandi- 
ble,  blackish,  toiniuin  and  lower  mandible,  dull  brownish-ashy;  rictus,  pale  yellow;  iris, 
bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  horn-color. 

932,  S  (id.;  Upper  Humdoldt  Valley,  September  16, 1868.  5^— 8^— 2/_— 1 7_3j_ 
2^^.  Upper  mandible,  plumbeous-black,  the  tomium  pale  yellowish  olive;  lower  mandi- 
ble, pale  grayish-oliv^e,  more  yellowish  basally ;  rictus,  light  yellow;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi, 
pale  brown,  toes  darker. 

949,  i  ad.;  Deep  Creek,  Utah,  October  5, 1868.  5§--7J—(?)— 2j^.  Upper  mandi- 
ble, dull  plumbeous-black,  tomium  and  lower  mandible,  light  dull  cinereous,  more  yel- 
lowish-lilaceous  basally  beneath;  rictus,  pale  yellow;  iris,  sepia-drab;  tarsi  and  toes, 
pale  horn-color. 

1276,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley^s  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  24, 
1869.    Nest  on  ground,  beneath  prostrate  sage-bush,  near  stream. 

Passerella  megarhyncha. 

Thick-billed  Sparrow. 

Passerella  megarhyncha,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  925,  pi.  Lxix,  fig.  4;  Cat.  K 
Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  376a.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 222. 

Passerella  townsendi  var.  megarhyncha,  B.  B.  &  li.,  Hist.  N,  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 
57,  pi.  XXVIII,  fig.  10. 

Passerella  townsendi  var.  schistacea,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  162  (part). 

This  very  interesting  bird  was  met  with  only  in  the  ravines  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson  City  and  Washoe.  Unlike  P.  schistacea,  it  was 
strictly  a  migrant,  being  entirely  absent  during  the  winter,  and  not  arriving 
from  the  south  until  about  the  20th  of  April.  It  was  found  mostly  in 
damp  or  swampy  places  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  mountains,  and  was 
particularly  numerous  where  the  alders  grew  abundantly  along  the  streams. 
In  such  places  they  were  singing  loudly  on  every  hand,  and  their  songs, 


486  ORNITHOLOGY. 

when  first  heard,  seemed  so  similar  to  those  o£  the  Large-billed  Water 
Thrush  {Semrus  ludovicianus)^  of  the  east,  that  they  were  mistaken  for  the 
notes  of  that  bird,  until  the  singers  were  seen  and  the  species  identified. 
The  song  possessed  but  little  resemblance  to  that  of  the  P,  schistacea,  being 
so  far  superior  as  to  be  comparable  only  to  that  of  the  bird  above  men- 
tioned, its  chief  qualities  being  great  volume  and  liquidness. 

List  of  specimens, 

530,  S  dd.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  25, 1868.  7|— lO/e— 3^— -i|.  General 
hue  of  bill,  milky  lilaceous- white,  palest  and  purest  on  lower  mandible,  which  has  a 
delicate  rosy  tint  basally  beneath;  culmen,  pale  plumbeous  sepia;  iris,  bister;  tarsi 
and  toes,  deep,  rather  dilute  sepia-brown. 

531,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  25,  1868.  7— 9|— 3^2yV  Same  re- 
marks. 

PaSSERELLA  SCH18TACEA. 

Slate-colored  Sparrow. 

Passerella  schistacea,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  490,  pi.  Lxrx,  fig.  3;  Cat.  N.  Am. 

B.,  1859,  No.  376.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  223  (figs,  of  head  and  feet). 
Passerella  iliaca  var.  scliistacea,  Anlen,  Bull.  Mus.  Corap.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872,  168. — 

COUES,  Key,  1872,  147. 
Passerella  townsendi  var.  schistaoea^  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  352 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

189a;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  162.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  11,  1874,  56,  pi. 

XXVIII,  fig.  9.— Henshaw,  1875,  293. 

This  species  was  first  met  with  at  Carson  City,  Nevada,  during  its 
northward  migration,  which  began  late  in  February  or  early  in  March, 
some  few  individuals  having  doubtless  remained  during  the  winter  in  the 
shelter  of  the  dense  willow-thickets  along  the  river.  The  following  Septem- 
ber it  was  observed  in  similar  localities  in  the  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  ; 
we  may  therefore  judge  that  it  is  found,  in  proper  season,  and  in  suitable 
localities,  throughout  the  country  between  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the 
Wahsatch.  During  the  summer  .months  it  was  one  of  the  commonest  birds 
in  Parley's  Park,  where  it  was  a  constant  associate  of  Melospiza  fallax  in 
the  willow-thickets.  It  is  quite  a  counterpart  of  that  species  in  manners 
and  notes,  while  the  nests  and  eggs  are  similar  to  such  a  degree^  that  it  often 
required  the  sacrifice  of  the  parent,  and  always  a  very  close  observation, 
for  the  positive  identification  of  the  species.  The  ordinary  note  is  a  sharp 
chuck ;  but  the  song  is  scarcely  distinguishable  from  that  of  Melospiza  fallaz. 


CALAM08PIZA  BIOOLOR.  487 

List  of  speeimens. 

433,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  9,  1868.  7|— lOf— 3/^— 2f .  Upper 
raandible,  olivaceotts-sepia,  darkest  basally,  tomium  ashy-lilac;  rictus  and  basal  two- 
thirds  of  lower  mandible,  bright  maize-yellow,  deepest  beneath;  terminal  portion, 
brownish-lilaceoas,  the  point  dusky  ;  iris,  precisely  the  color  of  pectoral  spots ;  tarsi 
and  toes,  dilute-sepia. 

919,  S  ad.;  head  of  Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  34),  September  11,  1868.  7f-10^ 
— (?)— 2|^|.  Upper  mandible,  sepia-plumbeous,  darker  along  culmen,  more  lilaceous 
along  tomium ;  lower  paler,  point  dusky,  the  basal  half  deep  maize-yellow ;  iris,  burnt- 
sienna;  tarsi  and  toes,  very  deep  sepia. 

1223,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park,  June  22, 1869.  Nest  in  a  bunch  of  willow 
sprouts  about  two  feet  from  the  ground,  bank  of  stream. 

1225,  1226,  1227,  1229,  and  1230,  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  June  23,  1869. 
1289,  nest  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  June  25,  1869.  Nests  among  bushes  or  willow- 
stubs  in  thickets  along  streams,  from  one  to  six  feet  above  the  ground. 

1460,  nest ;  Parley's  Park,  July  26, 1869.    Nest  among  willows. 


Oalamospiza  bicoloe* 

Liark  Bunting^. 

Fringilla  bicolor,  Townsend,  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VII,  1837,  189. 
Oalamospiza  hicohr^  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  30.— Baird,  B.  N.  Am., 

1858,  492;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  377.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  225.— 

CouES,  Key,  1872,  147 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  190 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  163.— B. 

B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  61,  pi.  xxix,  figs.  2,  3.— Henshaw,  1875, 

294. 

But  a  single  specimen  of  this  species  was  observed  by  us,  and  this  was 
doubtless  a  straggler  from  the  Great  Plains  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  The  individual  in  question  was  on  the  ground  when  shot,  its 
appearance  and  manners  being  quite  similar  to  those  of  Ghondestes  grammaca. 
On  the  plains  just  east  of  the  town  of  Cheyenne,  we  noticed  in  August, 
from  the  car-windows,  numerous  large  flocks  of  this  species,  startled  by 
the  approach  of  the  train,  the  flocks  rising  from  the  grass  on  either  side, 
and  wheeling  about  in  their  flight  in  the  irregular  manner  of  Horned  Larks 
(EremopMla). 

List  of  specimens, 

Ull.ijuv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  30,  1869.  7^11  J.  Bill,  ashy-white;  upper 
half  of  upper  mandible,  pale  ash,  gonys  with  pinkish  glow ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and 
toes,  purplish-brown. 


488  OENITHOLOGY. 

Hedymelbs  MELANOCEPHALUS. 
Black-hended  Grosbeak. 

{Look' -em  of  the  Washoes;   Uni-gu'-eet  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Ouiraca  melanocephala,  Swainson,  Philos.  Mag.,  I,  1827,  438.— Baird,  Birds  N. 

Am.,  1858,  498;  Oat  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  381.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I, 

1870,228. 
Hedymeles  melanooephalus,  Oabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  1,  1851, 153. — B.  B.  &  E  ,  Hist. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  73,  pi.  xxx,  figs.  1,  2.— Henshaw,  1875,  296. 

Goniaphea  (Hedymeles)  melanocephala^  Gray,  Haud  List,  I,  1869,  No.  7547. 

Ooniaphea  melanocephala^  OoUBS,  Key,  1872, 149 ;  Olieck  List,  1873,  No.  194;  Birds 

N.W.,  1874, 167. 

This  fine  bird  was  quite  abundant  in  the  fertile  valleys  and  lower 
caQons  along  the  entire  route,  from  Sacramento  to  the  Wahsatch  and 
Uintahs.  Its  range  was  exactly  that  of  Oyanospiza  amcenaj  and  it  was 
observed  that  in  the  Interior  both  these  species  reached  their  upper 
limit  about  where  the  summer  range  of  Pyranga  ludoviciana  commenced, 
viz,  about  the  middle  portion  of  the  canons.  It  was  abundant  both  at 
Sacramento  and  in  the  valley  of  the  Truckee,  in  western  Nevada,  but  was 
nearly  restricted  in  the  former  locality  to  the  willow  thickets,  while  in  the 
latter  it  preferred  the  shrubbery  of  buffalo-berry  and  other  bushes.  At 
the  latter  locality  it  was  observed  to  feed,  in  May,  upon  the  buds  of  the 
grease- wood  (Obione  confertifoUa)^  in  company  with  Pyranga  ludovicianay 
Icterus  buUockij  and  several  other  birds.  It  was  also  found  in  the  shrub- 
bery along  the  lower  portion  of  the  mountain-streams,  but  was  there  less 
numerous  than  in  the  river- valleys,. while  at  an  altitude  of  about  7,000 
feet  it  appeared  to  be  entirely  absent.  It  was  consequently  rare  in  Par- 
ley's Park,  where,  however,  a  few  pairs  were  nesting  in  the  thickets 
along  the  strteams.  It  was  very  frequently  observed  that  the  male  of  this 
species  assists  in  incubation,  being,  in  fact,  more  often  seen  on  the  nest 
than  his  mate. 

This  species  appears  to  be  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  eastern  Rose- 
breasted  Grosbeak  (jBT.  ludovicianus),  its  notes  especially,  in  all  their  varia- 
tions, being  quite  the  same. 


GUIRAOA  CCERULEA.  489 

List  of  specimem. 

21,  nest  and  eggs  ^3);  Sacramento,  California,  June  11,  1867.  Nest  in  willow, 
about  ten  feet  from  ground.    Male  on  nest  when  found. 

22,  ?  ad.  (parent  of  eggs  No.  21);  Sacramento,  California,  June  11,  1867.  8J— 
13— 4J— 3J — |— ^3j--2.  Upper  mandible,  slate-color,  low^er  bluish-whit^,  with  tinge 
of  lilaceous  beneath;  iris,  dark  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  pure  light  ashy-blue. 

32,  $  ad.;  Sacramento,  June  12,  1867.  8-^12j^--4^— 3/^  ,|J§^3^1|.  Same 
remarks. 

173,  S  juv,;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  7, 1867.  8|— 12| — i^-^ — 3/^ 
— f — i — 3j — 1|.    Same  remarks. 

564,  <y  ad.;  Truokee  Reservation,  May  15,  1868.  8}J — 13J — (?)— 3J.  Same  re- 
marks. 

804,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Truckee  River,  June  6,  1868.  Nest  in  buffalo-berry 
thicket. 

964,  <J  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  20,  1869. 

1036,  (?  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  24,  1869.  8J— 12J.  Upper  mandible, 
slate-color,  lower  bluish-white;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous. 

1062,  S  ^d.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  27,  1869.    8J— 12f . 

1300,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  27,  1869. 
Nest  in  willows  aloug  stream.    Male  on  nest. 

1324,  nest;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.    Nest  in  a  willow  copse. 

1399,  eggs;  Cash  Valley,  Utah,  July,  1869.    [J.  C.  Olmstead.] 

1474,  ?  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  29,  1869.  8J— 12f .  Bill,  dull  lead-color,  darker 
on  culmen,  lighter  and  more  pinkish  toward  gonys;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  ashy- 
blue. 

GUIRACA  CCERULEA. 

Blae  Grosbeak. 

Loxia  cwrulea,  LiNN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  306. 

Guiraca  cwrulea,  SWAINS.,  Philos.  Mag.,  1, 1827, 438.-— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 

499 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  382.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 230.— B. 

B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  77,  pi.  xxrx,  figs.  4,  5.— Henshaw, 

1875,  298. 

Ooniaphea  ccet'uUa,  SCLATER,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1856,  301. — CouBS,  Key, 
1872,  149,  fig.  93;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  195;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 169. 

The  Blue  Grosbeak  was  met  with  only  at  Sacramento,  where  it  was 
a  very  common  bird  in  the  bushy  fields  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city. 
The  distribution  of  this  species  is  quite  remarkable,  it  being  more  or  less 
common  on  both  coasts  northward  as  far,  at  least,  as  the  parallel  of  40^, 
but  of  exceedingly  rare  occurrence  in  the  Interior,  except  along  the  south- 
ern border.  This  fact  seems  equally  true  of  the  eastern  half  of  the  conti- 
nent as  of  the  western,  for  there  are  few  local  lists  pertaining  to  the  Missis- 


490  ORNITHOLOGY. 

sippi  Valley  which  include  it,  while  on  the  Atlantic  coast  it  is  more  or  less 
common,  locally,  north  to  New  Jersey,  having  even  been  taken  in  the 
eastern  portion  of  Maine !  Its  distribution  seems,  therefore,  not  to  be  gov- 
erned strictly  by  climatic  conditions,  but  the  facts  adduced  rather  seem  to 
indicate  a  somewhat  littoral  range  for  the  species. 

At  Sacramento  this  species  was  found  in  the  same  localities  with 
Oyanospiza  amcena,  it  being  as  characteristic  of  the  edges  of  the  copses  of 
young  cotton-woods  as  was  Hedymeles  melanocephaltis  of  the  willow  thickets. 

List  of  specimens. 

18, 19,  nests  and  eggs  (3) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  11, 1867. 

20,  9  ad.  (parent  of  No.  18);  Sacramento,  California,  June  11,  1867.  7— lOf— 
3j — 2|| — I — }l — 2J — IJ.  Upper  mandible,  dark  bluish  horn-color,  lower  light,  some- 
what lilaceous,  ashy-white;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  horn-color. 

44,  <J  ad.;  Sacramento,  June  17,  1867.  7^— llj— 3|— 3^1— |— 3— 1^.  Upper 
mandible  blackish-slate,  lower  light  p^umbeous-blue;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  plum- 
beous-brown. 

51,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  California,  June  18, 1867. 

82,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  California,  June  24, 1867. 

91,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  California,  June  29, 1867. 

Nests  all  similarly  situated,  being  placed  about  six  feet  from  ground,  in  small 
cotton-woods,  in  edge  of  copse. 

Cyanospiza  AMCENA. 

liazuli  Buntingr* 

Emheriza  amoena.  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1823, 47. 

Cyanospiza  amoena,  Baied,  B.  N.  Am.,  1868, 504 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  386.— 
Cooper,  Orn.Cal.,  1,1870,233.— CouES,  Key,  1872,149;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  198;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 170.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 84,  pi. 
XXX,  figs.  11, 12.— HenSHAW,  1875, 300. 

This  pretty  little  Bunting  was  a  very  common  species  in  all  the  fertile 
valleys,  as  well  as  iu  the  lower  cations  of  the  mountains,  its  range  being 
co-extensive  with  that  of  Hedymeles  melanocephalus.  Like  its  eastern  con- 
gener, C.  cyanea,  of  which  it  is  a  perfect  counterpart  in  habits,  manners,  and 
notes,  it  frequents  bushy  places  only  ;  but  it  avoids  the  sage-brush  tracts, 
and  resorts  to  the  more  thrifty  shrubbery  in  the  vicinity  of  the  streams. 

List  of  specimens. 

9,  nest  and  egg  (1) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  8, 1867.  Nest  on  extremity  of 
drooping  branch  of  small  oak,  in  grove,  about  four  feet  from  ground. 


PIPILO  MEGALONYX— P.  OREGONUS.  491 

38,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  June  12, 1867.     Nest  in  bush. 

92,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  June  29, 1867.     Nest  in  bush. 

99,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Hunter's  Station,  Nevada,  July  1, 1867.  Nest  in  bush,  along 
stream. 

835,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Austin,  Nevada,  July  4, 1868.  Nest  in  wild-roso  brier,  along 
stream  in  canon. 

850,  $  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  21,  1868.  5f — 8f— (!)— 2f .  Upper 
mandible,  black,  tomium  pale  bluish ;  lower,  pale  blue,  point  blackish ;  iris,  dark 
Vandyke ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  sepia. 

962,  $  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  20, 1869.  5^—9^.  Bill,  generally  deep  black, 
lower  mandible  plumbeous,  strip  of  black  on  gonys ;  iris,  dark  brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes, 
deep  black. 

1063,  i  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  27,  1869.  5§— 9J^.  Upper  mandible, 
black ;  lower,  bluish-white,  a  streak  of  black  on  the  gonys  (a  constant  feature  in 
adult  males);  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-black. 

1237,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  23, 1869.  Nest  in  wild-rose 
brier,  by  stream. 

1303,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  27,  1869.  Nest  in  bush  near 
stream. 

1357,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Parley's  Park,  July  2,  1869.  Nest  among  rosebushes,  by 
stream. 

1418,  nest  and  eggs ;  Parley's  Park,  July  16,  1869. 

PiPILO  MACULATU8. 
1¥esterii  Towliee. 

/?.  megahnyx — Long-clawed  Ground  Robin. 

Pipilo  megalonyx,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  515,  pi.  Lxxin;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859, 

No.  394.— Cooper,  Oru.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  242. 
Pipilo  maculatus  var.  megalonyx^  Coues,  Key,  1872,  152 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

205b.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 113,  pi.  xxxi,  fig.  12.— Henshaw, 

1875,  303. 

y.  oregonus — Oregon  Ground  Robin. 

Pipilo  oregonusy  Bell,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  H.,  New  York,  V,  1^2,  6.— Baird,  B.  N. 

Am.,  1858,  513;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  302.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  241. 
Pipilo  maculatus  var.  oregonus,  CouES,  Key,  1872,  152 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  206. 

B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  116,  pi.  xxi,  fig.  9. 

Of  the  western  species  of  this  genus,  which  resemble  in  their  general 
markings  the  P.  erythrophthalmus  of  the  East,  three  definable  forms  have 
been  recognized,  these  representing  separate  geographical  areas,  and  thus 
corresponding  to  what  are  termed  geographical,  or  climatic,  races.^     These 

^  Typical  maculatuSj  representing  a  fourth  race,  inhabits  the  table-lands  of  Mexico; 
additional  forms  are,  P.  carmanij  Baird,  of  Socorro  Island,  and  P.  oonsobrinus^  Eidg- 
way,  of  Guadalupe. 


492  ORNITHOLOGY. 

forms  are  sufficiently  easy  to  recognize  in  typical  or  extreme  specimens, 
but  such  constitute  so  small  a  proportion  of  the  number  usually  em- 
braced in  collections,  that  if  called  upon  to  define  these  supposed  races 
by  trenchant  characters,  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  we  could  succeed  to 
our  own  satisfaction,  while  the  concurrence  of  others  could  scarcely  be 
expected.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  regard  to  the  oregonus  and 
megalonyx  types,  both  of  which  came  under  our  observation  in  the  field. 
Judging  from  the  specimens  alone,  of  these  two  forms,  we  should  not  think 
of  recognizing  two  races  in  the  series  before  us,  for  it  is  absolutely  impossible 
to  distinguish  certa^in  specimens  obtained  in  western  Nevada  from  others 
taken  in  Utah.  But  since  the  notes  of  the  birds  of  the  two  localities  were 
so  extremely  dissimilar  as  to  really  astonish  us  upon  the  discovery  of  the 
fact,  we  cannot  ignore  this  difference  between  the  birds  of  the  two  districts  ; 
this,  therefore,  is  our  reason  for  arranging  their  synonymy  as  above. 

In  their  manners  and  general  appearance  these  western  Ground  Robins 
call  at  once  to  mind  the  eastern  Towhee  (P.  erythrophthalmus)^  for  they  have 
the  same  colors  (with  merely  minor  differences,  not  distinguishable  at  a 
distance),  the  same  flirting  flight,  while  they  are  inseparably  attached  to 
the  most  bushy  localities.  But  in  direct  contrast  to  the  familiar  eastern 
species,  we  found  the  western  Towhee  to  be  everywhere  one  of  the  very 
shyest  birds  of  the  country.  The  notes,  too,  are  most  remarkably  dififerent, 
since  none  of  them  are  in  the  least  attractive,  but,  on  the  contrary,  simple 
and  rude  almost  in  the  extreme. 

The  Oregon  Ground  Robin  was  found  from  Sacramento  to  the  West 
Humboldt  Mountains,  it  being  equally  common  on  both  sides,  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada.  Within  the  Great  Basin,  its  range  was  strictly  confined  to  the 
valleys  and  connecting  caiions  of  the  western  depression,  while  it  was 
abundant  in  proportion  to  the  proximity  of  a  locality  to  the  Sierra.  In 
sununer  it  was  generally  distributed — ^that  is,  included  the  lower  canons  of 
the  mountains  in  its  range,  as  well  as  the  river- valleys ;  but  in  winter,  it 
appeared  to  make  a  more  or  less  extensive  vertical  migration,  nearly,  if  not 
quite,  forsaking  the  mountain  localities.  At  Sacramento,  it  frequented  the 
thickets  around  the  border  of  fields  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  in  the  same 
places  as  those  inhabited  by  the  Yellow-breasted  Chat  and  Song  Sparrow 


PIPILO  MEGALONYX— p.  OREGONUS.  493 

(Icteria  longicauda  and  Melospiza  heermanni);  and  in  the  lower  fertile  valleys 
of  the  Interior,  as  those  of  the  Truckee  and  Carson  rivers,  it  chose  similar 
localities  along  the  river-banks.  It  was  extremely  rare  in  the  fertile 
mountain  canons,  excepting  their  lower  portions,  being  far  from  common  in 
the  vicinity  of  our  camps  in  the  West  Humboldt  range.  It  was  nowhere 
else  so  numerous  as  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson 
City,  where  it  was  the  most  abundant  bird  among  the  scattered  scraggy 
shrubs  of  dwarf-plum  (Prunus  demissaf)  mixed  with  currant  bushes,  which 
grew  plentifully  in  the  old  fields  just  below  the  commencement  of  the  pine 
timber.  There  it  was  found  chiefly  during  the  spring,  summer,  and  autumn, 
none  having  been  observed  during  the  coldest  part  of  the  winter,  at  which 
time  they  had  sought  shelter  in  the  dense  willow  thickets  in  the  river- valleys. 
About  the  middle  of  February,  however,  they  began  returning  to  their  sum- 
mer haunts  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  and  were  observed,  at  first  sparingly, 
in  the  locality  described  above,  as  well  as  in  the  dense  chaparral  of  laurel 
( Ceanothus  velutinus)  and  manzanita  (Arctostaphylus  glauca)  on  the  sides  of  the 
ravines.  Up  to  about  the  9th  of  March  they  were  nearly  silent,  their  only 
note  being  a  very  common-place  teisJij  uttered  usually  in  an  impertinent  tone. 
At  about  the  above  date,  however,  the  males  commenced  to  sing,  or  rather  to 
utter  their  rude  trill,  during  the  delivery  of  which  the  performer  occupied  a 
conspicuous  position,  as  the  summit  of  a  tall  bush  or  the  top  of  a  high  rock, 
where  he  sat  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  as  he  performed  his  part  in  the  morn- 
ing chorus,  the  black  and  white  of  his  markings  contrasting  boldly,  and  his 
form  clearly  defined  against  the  blue  sky.  The  quality  of  the  performance, 
however,  it  seemed  to  us,  by  no  means  justified  such  ostentation,  for  it 
amounted  to  no  more  than  a  rude  trill,  so  simple  as  not  to  deserve  the  name 
of  song,  notwithstanding  the  frequency  of  its  repetition  and  the  earnestness 
of  the  performer.  None  of  the  few  notes  uttered  by  this  bird  bear  the 
remotest  resemblance  to  those  of  the  eastern  species  (P.  erythrophthalmus)^ 
although  the  spring-call  described  above  may  be  compared  to  the  final  trill 
of  the  very  creditable  performance  of  the  latter  bird.  At  all  times  this 
bird  was  excessively  shy — another  striking  contrast  to  its  eastern  relative — 
and  was  thus  extremely  difficult  to  procure,  seldom  allowing  one  to  approach 
within  gunshot ;  if  too  closely  followed,  flitting  in  its  peculiar  manner,  for 


494  ORNITHOLOGY. 

short  distances  at  a  time,  'over  the  buslies,  flirting  the  expanded  white- 
tipped  tail  at  each  heavy  beat  of  the  wings. 

Eastward  of  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  few  Ground  Robins  were 
observed  until  we  annved  at  Salt  Lake  City ;  indeed,  none  were  seen  except 
at  our  camp  near  Austin,  in  the  Toyabe  Mountains,  and  in  the  eastern  canons 
of  tlie  Ruby  range,  at  both  of  which  places  they  were  so  extremely  rare 
that  we  could  not  determine  the  race.^  At  Salt  Lake  City,  however, 
we  found  the  species  again  very  abundant,  even  more  so  than  at  Carson 
City,  and  also  inhabiting  the  chaparral  on  the  foot-hills,  which  in  this 
case  consisted  of  scrub-oaks  instead  of  manzanita,  laurel,  and  wild-plum 
bushes.  It  was  noticed  immediately,  however,  that  while  to  all  appear- 
ance they  were  the  same  birds  as  those  found  near  Carson  City,  they 
uttered  totally  different  notes,  which  we  found  to  agree  perfectly  with  Dr. 
Coues'  description  in  his  '^  Prodrome,"  a  fact  which  impressed  us  at  once, 
for  we  had  previously  striven  in  vain  to  detect  in  the  notes  of  the  birds  of 
this  species  at  Carson  the  remotest  resemblance  to  any  uttered  by  the  Cat-bird 
or  the  ^*Dickcissel"  [EmpizaY^  and  since  in  their  characters  the  specimens 
agreed  perfectly  with  the  diagnosis  of  megalonyx,  we  had  considered  the 
description  of  the  notes  above  referred  to  as  erroneous,  and  were  thus  glad 
to  find  so  satisfactory  a  relief  from  our  dilemma.  Instead  of  the  rude,  rather 
suppressed  teish  with  which  we  had  been  familiar,  a  sharp  mew  was  heard, 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  notes  of  the  Cat-bird,  found  in  the  same 
locality;  and  the  song  was  a  very  decided  improvement  on  that  of  the  west- 
ern individuals,  for,  instead  of  a  short,  simple  trill,  apparently  '*  strained 
out''  after  considerable  effort,  these  trills  were  multiplied  and  connected  by 
other  notes,  so  that  a  passable  song  resulted.  There  was  still  no  approach  to 
the  notes  of  P.  erythrophthalmuSy  however,  excepting  a  very  slight  one  in  the 
song ;  but  the  habits  of  the  birds  were  much  less  shy,  though  they  were 
far  from  being  so  confidingly  familiar  as  the  very  tame  eastern  species. 

^  Judging  from  the  circumstance  that  accessions  from  the  Rocky  Mountain  fauna 
were  first  encountered  at  these  two  localities,  it  seems  most  probable  that  the  Ground 
Robins  met  with  were  also  the  Rocky  Mountain  form — P.  megalonyx, 

^"Ordinary  call-note  almost  exactly  like  that  of  Minus  caroUnensis ;  the  song  a 
rather  harsh  and  monotonous  repetition  of  four  or  six  syllables^  something  like  that  of 
JEuspiza  americana.^^ — Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci ,  1866,  p.  89. 


PIPTLO  MEGALONYX— P.  OREGO\^US.  495 

Idst  of  specimens, 

/?.  megalonyx, 

956,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  20, 1869.  Nest  on  ground,  among 
scrub-oaks  on  hill-side. 

957,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  20,  1869.    Same  remarks. 

958,  <?  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  20, 1869.  8^—10^.  Bill,  pure  black ;  iris, 
red -lead  color;  tarsi  and  toes,  slaty-sepia. 

10C3,  $  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  24,  1869.  8|f— 11.  Bill,  pure  black  ,•  iris, 
intense  scarlet",  tarsi,  purplish-sepia,  toes  darker. 

1034,  i  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  24,  1869.    8|— 11|.    Same  remarks. 

1035,  <?  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  24,  1869.    8|— 11.     Same  remarks. 

1043,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  City,  May  24,  1869.  Nest  on  ground,  beneath 
sage-bush. 

1069,  ?  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29, 1869.    8f— 11.    Same  remarks. 

1096,  nest  and  eggs  (4)  5  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.  Side  of 
ravine.    Nest  on  ground,  beneath  sage-bush. 

1185,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  18, 1869.  Nest  on  ground,  among 
scrub-oaks. 

1186,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  18, 1869.  Nest  on  ground,  beneath 
uprooted  oak  in  thicket. 

y.  oregonus. 

35,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento  City,  California,  June  12,  1867.  Nest  on 
ground,  beneath  fallen  dead  thistle,  in  thick  cotton-wood  copse. 

199,  ^  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  20,  1867.  8|— lOJ— 
^T6 — ^ — H — I — ^ — ^S'  ^^^^  blackish-slate,  commissure  and  lower  mandible  inclin- 
ing to  ashy ;  iris,  deep  brownish  vermilionred ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  horn-color. 

222,  2  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  3,  1867.  8f — 10f--35^2J— i— 
1^4^ — 2^.  Bill,  black,  lower  mandible  inclining  to  dusky  slate,  paler  basally;  iris^ 
light  hazelred;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  purplish  horn-color. 

227,  i  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  4,  1867.  8f— 11^-31—3^^— 
-9_ — 1 — 4^3_ — x|^  j3ii|^  slate-black,  ashy  on  lower  mandible;  iris,  light  brownish-yellow; 
tarsi  and  toes,  light  horn-color. 

235,  (J  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  7, 1867.  81— 10y\— 3J— 25 — ,»^— 
II — 4 — 2 J.    IriSj  deep  rufous. 

434,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  9,  1868.  8^10^— 3J— 2|.  Bill,  slate- 
black;  im,  intense  orange-chrome ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  purplish-sepia,  the  toes  with  a 
violaceous  cast. 

476,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  30,  1868.  8f  ~11|— 3|— 3.  Bill,  perfectly  uni- 
form,  slaty  black  5  iris^  rich  scarlet 

495,  ^  ad.;  Carson  City,  April  4, 1868.    8|— 11 — 3g — 3.    Same  remarks. 

[In  the  western  species,  the  iris  when  intense  red — indicating  high  maturity — 
is  never  of  the  carmine  shade  often  seen  in  erythrophthalmtusj  but  inclines  more  to 
scarlet  or  orange-red.] 


496  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Pjpilo  CHLOEUEUS. 
Orecn^tailed  Bniitingr. 

(Pooe-tse^'tse  of  the  Washoes.) 

'^Fringilla  cMorura^  Townsend,"  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  V,  1839, 336. 

Pipilo  chlornrus,  Baird,  Birds  K  Ain.,  1858,  519;  Cat.  K.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 
398.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  248.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  153;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  208;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  176.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 
131,  pi.  XXXI,  fig.  4.— Henshaw,  1875, 307. 

This  very  interesting  species  was  met  with  on  all  the  higher  ranges, 
from  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  the  Uintahs,  particularly  in  the  elevated  parks 
and  cafions,  where  it  was  one  of  the  most  characteristic  birds.  We  never 
observed  it  at  a  lower  altitude  than  the  beginning  of  the  canons,  or,  as 
happened  rarely,  in  ravines  of  the  foot-hills,  while,  in  the  river- valleys,  it 
appeared  to  be  entirely  wanting.  It  is  apparently  migratory,  as  none  were 
observed  between  the  months  of  September  and  April,  and  in  its  passage 
to  and  from  the  south  appears  to  follow  the  mountain  ranges  without 
performing  sufficient  vertical  migration  to  reach  the  lower  valleys.  In 
the  cafions  of  the  lofty  Toyabe  Mountains,  near  Austin,  this  species  was 
exceedingly  abundant  in  the  early  part  of  July;  it  was  also  very  common 
in  the  higher  cafions  and  elevated  garden-like  slopes  of  the  Ruby  range, 
while  in  similar  places  near  the  station  of  Evanston,  on  the  high  Uintahs, 
numbers  were  heai'd  singing  on  every  hand  during  our  brief  stay  there,  in 
the  month  of  May.  Like  its  congeners,  this  species  is  a  bird  of  the  chap- 
arral, living  chiefly  in  the  brushwood  of  the  cafions  and  ravines;  but  it  is 
also  found  among  the  rank  herbage  of  those  flowery  slopes  so  characteristic 
of  the  higher  portions  of  that  mountainous  region. 

In  the  position  of  its  nest  there  was  a  rather  unusual  uniformity  of 
habit  manifested,  especially  by  the  birds  of  one  locality;  thus,  those  found 
at  Austin  were  all  placed  in  the  thickest  part  of  low  bushes  of  the 
Symphoricarpus  montanuSj  at  a  height  of  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  above 
the  ground;  the  same  was  usually  the  case  in  Parley's  Park,  although 
sometimes  other  shrubs,  as  wild-currant  bushes,  were  selected.  The 
maximum  number  of  eggs  found  in  a  nest  was  four. 


PIPtLO  GHLORURUS.  497 

The  song  of  this  bird  is  possessed  of  great  strength  and  clearness^  as 
well  as  considerable  variety,  approaching  most  nearly  that  of  the  Bay- 
winged  Bunting  (Pooecetes  gramineus)  in  style,  tone,  and  modulation.  It  is 
louder,  however,  and  more  continued,  though  in  the  latter  respect  it  is  far 
inferior  to  that  of  Chondestes  grammaca.  Tfie  ordinary  note  is  remarkably 
sweet,  sounding  like  a  laughing  pronunciation  of  the  syllables  keek^  heek\ 
very  much  in  the  tone  of  the  tweet  of  a  Canary-bird;  this  note  is  uttered 
on, the  approach  of  anyone,  when  the  bird  hops  familiarly  about  the 
stranger,  without  manifesting  any  symptoms  of  uneasiness  at  his  presence, 
but  rather  expressing  pleasure  in  its  notes. 

List  of  specimens. 

169,  9  ad,;  Camp  18,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  7,  1867. 
7ji_10— 3^^— 2|— y»5— }|— 34— IJ.  Upper  mandible,  slate-black,  tomium  bluish- 
white;  lower,  bluish-white,  almost  milk-white  at  the  base;  m>,  purplish  rufous ;  tarsi, 
and  toes,  bluish  horn-color,  * 

532,  i  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  25,  1868.  7^|— lOJ— 3^V-2S.  Upper 
mandible,  black,  tomium  plumbeous-blue;  lower,  pure  pale  plumbeous-blue,  tip 
black;  m«,  de^  purplish-ferruginous  (very  similar  to  color  of  crown);  tarsi,  dilute 
whitish-sepia;  toes,  deeper  sepia. 

817  (4),  818  (3),  nests  and  eggs;  Austin,  Nevada,  July  2, 1868. 

822  (4),  823  (4),  824  (2),  825  (2),  826  (2),  nests  and  eggs ;  Austin,  Nevada,  July  3, 
1868. 

929,  $  ad.;  Camp  25,  Humboldt  Valley,  September  16, 1868.  7J— 10— (!)— 2f. 
Same  remarks. 

959,  ?  ad,;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  20,  1869.  7^—95 .  Upper  mandible  and  gonys, 
black,  lower  pale  blue;  iris,  raw-sienna;  tarsi,  lilaceous sepia,  toes  darker,  more 
plumbeous-sepia. 

1052,  3  ad,;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  26,  1869.  7f — 10.  Upper  mandible, 
plumbeous-black,  lower  plumbeous-blue;  irisy cinnamon ;  tarsi,  pale  brown;  toes, 
darker. 

1234, 1235,  nests  and  eggs  (3) ;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June 
23, 1869.    Thick  low  bush,  by  stream. 

1274,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  24, 
1869.    Thick 4ow  bush,  by  stream* 

1295,  nest  and  eggs  (3)j  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  25, 
1869.    Nest  on  ground,  beneath  bush. 

1313,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  27, 
1869.    Nest  on  ground,  beneath  bush. 

1320  (4),  1321  (2),  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah, 
June  27, 1869.    Bushes  by  stream, 

1325  (4),  1326  (2),  nests  and  eggs ;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah, 
June  28, 1869.    Bushes  by  stream. 
32  P  B 


498  ORKITHOLOGY. 

1478,  f  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  Jaly  30,  1869.  7|— lOJ.  General  hue  of  bill,  livid 
slate,  pinkish  along  the  tomium  and  base  beneath^  iris,  ashyumher ;  tarsi  and  toes, 
deep  horn. 

1479,  9  juv.^  Parley^s  Park,  July  30, 1869.    7J^9f .    Same  remarks. 

PlPILO   OBISSALIS. 
Brown  BniUlnir. 

Fringilla  crissalis^  ViooBS,  Zool.  Beechey's  Voyage,  1839, 19. 

Pipilo  fu8cu8  var.  crissalis^  COUES,  Key,  1872,  163;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  206b. 

B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  122,  pi.  xxxi,  fig.  8. 
Pipilo  fuscus^  Bated,  Birds  K  Am.,  1858,  517  [not  of  Swainson,  Philos.  Mag., 

1, 1827];  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  396.— Cooper,  Oru.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 245. 

This  large  Bunting  was  noticed  only  during  our  ascent  of  the  western 
slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  species  being  easily  recognized  by  its  large 
size  and  uniform  tawny  color.  It  was  first  encountered  in  the  ravines  of 
the  lowest  foot-hills,  and  was  continually  observed  among  the  thickets  and 
chaparral  by  the  roadside  until  the  pine-forest  grew  dense  and  closed  in  to 
the  roadside,  after  which  none  were  seen.  It  appeared  to  be  a  very  silent 
species,  since  no  notes  were  heard. 

Family  ALAUDIDJl— Laeks. 
Eeemophila  alpesteis. 

Horned  I^ark ;  Shore  Iiark* 

a.  alpestris. 
Alauda  alpestris^  Fobstbr,  Philos.  Trans.,  LXII,  1772,  398. 
Eremophila  alpestris^  BoiE,  Isis,  1828,  332.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  89,  fig.  32;  Check 

List,  1873,  No,  63.— HENSH4W,  1875,  309. 
Eremophila  alpestris  var.  alpestris^  B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am,  B.,  II,  143,  pi.  xxxir, 

figs.  1,  2. 
Eremophila  alpestris.  a.  alpestris^  CoUES,  B.  KW.,  1874,  37, 
Alauda  cornutaj  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1808,  87  (in  text).  • 

Eremophila  cornutaj  BoiE,  Isis,  1828,  322.— Baied,  B.  N,  Am,,  1858,  403 ;  Cat. 

N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  Ko.  302. 

/?.  leucolcema. 

f  Otoeorys  oecidentalis^  MoOall,  Pr.  Philad.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  V,  1851,  218  (iuvJ). 
—Baied,  Stansbury^s  Salt  Lake,  1852,  318. 

Eremophila  alpestris  rar.  fet*catowa,  OouES,  B.  N. W.,  1874,  38.— Hbnshaw,  1875, 
309. 


EREMOPHIIiA  ALPESTEIS.  499 

y,  chrysolcema. 
Alauda  chrysolasma^  Wagler,  Isis,  1831,  350. 
Eremophila  comuta  var.  chrysolcema,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  403. 
Hremophila  alpestris  var.  chrysol^ma,  Coues,  Key,  1872, 89 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

53a.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II»  1874,  144.— Henshaw,  1875,  310. 
EremopMla  alpestris.  c.  chrysolcema,  Coues,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  38. 
EremopUla  comuta^  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  251  (part). 

Few  birds  are  more  widely  distributed  than  this  one ;  and  if  the  sage- 
brush deserves  the  title  of  "everlasting,"  from  its  abundance  and  uniform 
distribution,  it  would  be  as  proper  to  designate  this  species  as  "omnipresent," 
so  far  as  the  more  open  portions  of  the  western  country  are  concerned.  No 
locality  is  too  barren  for  it,  but,  on  the  contrary,  it  seems  to  fancy  best  the 
most  dry  and  desert  tracts,  where  it  is  often  the  only  bird  to  be  seen  over 
miles  of  country,  except  an  occasional  Dove  {Zencedura  carolinensis)j  or  a 
solitary  Raven,  seen  at  wide  intervals.  Neither  does  altitude  appear  to 
affect  its  distribution,  except  so  far  as  the  character  of  the  ground  is  modi- 
fied, since  we  saw  them  in  July  and  August  on  the  very  summit  of  the 
Ruby  Mountains,  at  an  altitude  of  about  11,000  feet,  the  ground  being 
pebbly,  with  a  stunted  and  scattered  growth  of  bushes.  The  small,  deep- 
colored  race  known  as  chrysolcema  was  the  usual  form  found  in  summer,  but 
in  winter  most  of  these  seemed^  to  have  migrated  southward,  their  place 
being  taken  by  flocks  from  the  north,  composed  of  migratory  individuals 
of  the  races  called  alpestris  and  leucol(Bma,  of  which  the  former  predomijaated. 

List  of  specimens, 
a.  alpestris  and  ^.  leucolcema} 

148,  ^  a(Z.;  valley  of  tbe  Humboldt  (Camp  17),  August  21,  1867.  7i— 12|— 4J— 
3J — ^^ — % — 2g — fj^.  Bill,  plumbeous-black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible  pearl-white ; 
iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  purplish-cinereous. 

232,  $  ad.',  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  19),  October 4, 1867.  7^^—12^— 
^\ — 3^ — J — I — 2jf — }|.    Tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous-black. 

^  We  include  the  specimens  of  these  two  races  together  for  the  reason  that  they 
are  not  distinguished  in  our  note-books,  while  the  specimens  themselves  are  not  acces- 
sible at  the  present  time.  All  the  examples  referable  to  these  two  races  were  collected 
in  autumn  or  winter,  during  their  migrations  southward.  Throughout  the  winter  they 
were  found  in  large  flocks,  frequenting  all  open  places,  and  in  severe  weather  daily 
venturing  into  the  streets  and  door-yards  of  the  towns.  During  the  winter-season  the 
present,  or  northern-bred,  birds  nearly  replace  the  summer-resident,  var.  chrysolcema^ 
though  sometimes  individuals  of  the  latter  may  be  shot  from  a  large  flock. 


500  OBNETHOLOQY. 

302,  9  ad.:  Trackee Meadows, November  19, 13G7.  7^^— 13— 4§-^J~i^}J-^3— J. 
Tarsi  and  toes,  Ihid-black. 

395,  ^  ad.;  Washoe  Yalley,  January  3, 1868.  TJ— 13— 4y«^— 3J.  Bill,  plumbeous- 
black,  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible  abruptly,  bluish-white ;  iris,  umber;  tarsi 
and  toes,  deep  black. 

397,  S  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  January  3, 1868.    7^-^.131— 4|—.3f.    Same  remarks. 

417,  i  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  January  3, 1868.    7^— 13J — 4^—3^.    Same  remarks. 


304,  i  ad.;  Wa«hoe  Valley,  Nevada,  January  3, 1868.  7— ISJ— 6§— 3g— 3?^— }f 
— 2| — J.  Bill,  plumbeons-whitef  culmen  and  terminal  third  slaty;  iris,  umber;  tarsi, 
redduhsepia,  toes,  more  blackish,  yellow  beneath  (much  as  in  Anthus  ludovicianiis). 

396, 9  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  Nevada,  January  3, 1868.  6j— 11§— 3}f — 3J.  Same 
remarks. 

398,  <J  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  Nevada,  January  3,  1868.  7— 12 J— 4J— 3|,  Same 
remarks. 

784,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Truckee  Reservation,  June  3, 1868.  Nest  imbedded  in 
hard  gravelly  ground,  beneath  small  scraggy  sage-bush,  on  mesa  between  river  and 
mountains. 

819,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Port  Churchill,  Nevada,  June  24, 1868.  Nest  on  ground, 
underneath  sage-bush. 

1032,  i  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  UUh,  May  22,  1869.  7— 12J.  Bill,  black,  basal  two- 
thirds  of  lower  mandible  bluish- white;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia-black. 

1094,  <J  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.  7^13 J.  Bill,  pure 
blue-black,  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible  fine  pale  blue ;  iris,  brown  ;  tarsi  and 
toes,  dark  sepia. 


Family  ICTERID^ — Hang-nests,  American  Orioles,  or 

American  Starlings. 

dolichonyx  ortzivorus. 

Bob-o-link. 

/S.  cdbinuchm. 

Dolichonyx  wysAtoru^  var.  oMnmha,  RmowAY,  Bull.  Essex  Inst.,  V,  Nov.,  1873, 
192.--CotJES^  Check  List,  1873,  App.,  p.  129. 

Dolwhonyx  oryzivarusy  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  255  (part).— Henshaw,  1875, 
311. 

The  Bob-o-link  seems  to  he  spreading  over  all  dis^tricts  of  the  "Far 
West^  wherever  tJie  cultivation  of  the  cereals  has  extended.     We  found  it 


MOLOTHBUS  ATER.  501 

common  in  August  in  the  wheat-fields  at  the  Overland  Ranche  in  Ruby- 
Valley,  and  we  were  informed  at  Salt  Lake  City  that  it  was  a  common  spe- 
cies on  the  meadows  of  that  section  of  the  country  in  May,  and  again  in 
the  latter  part  of  summer,  when  the  grain  ripened.  We  did  not  meet  with 
it  in  summer,  however,  and  doubt  whether  it  breeds  anywhere  in  the  Inte- 
rior south  of  the  40th  parallel^ 

List  of  specimens, 
87^,  ?  ad.;  Raby  Valley,  Nevada  (Camp  21),  August  28, 1868. 

MOLOTHRUS  ATER. 
Cow  Blackbird. 

a.  ater. 

Mohthrus  ater^  Gray,  Hand  List,  II,  1870,  36,  No.  6507  [cites  Bodd.,  PL  Bui., 
1783,  606,  fig.  1].— BaiRd,  Orn.  Simpson^s  Exped.,  1876,  370. 

Fringilla  pecoriSy  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat,  I,  1788,  910. 

Moloihrus  peeorisy  SwAiNS.  &  Rich.,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831, 277.— Bated,  B.  N. 
Am.,  1858,  524;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  400.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  257.— 
CotJES,  Key,  1872, 155 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  211.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
B.,  II,  1874,  154,  pi.  XXXII,  figs.  6,  7.— Henshaw,  1875, 312. 

Molothrus  pecoris.  a.  pecoris^  CoUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874, 180. 

We  found  this  species  to  be  so  rare  in  the  country  traversed  by  the 
expedition  that  the  list  of  specimens  given  below  comprises  every  individual 
seen  during  the  whole  time. 

List  of  specimens, 

146,  a  jup.;  Camp  17,  valley  of  tbe  Humboldt,  August  31,  1867,  8— 13J— 4J— 
3|-«^T^— .1_2| — IJ.  Bill,  slate-black,  paler  and  more  lilaceous  on  lower  mandible; 
iris,  bazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

147,  ?  jwt?.;  Gamp  17,  valley  of  the  Humboldt,  August  31, 1867.  7 jV-12^V-*tV— 
3|— ^— 5— 2|— 14.    Same  remarks. 

782,  i  ad,;  Truckee  Eeservation,  June  2, 1868.  8J— 14— (!)— 3|.  Bill,  tarsi,  and 
toes,  deep  black;  iris,  burnt-umber. 

1231,  egg ;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatcb  Mountains,  Utah,  June  23, 1869.  Deposited 
in  nest  of  Passerella  schistacea, 

1401,  egg ;  Bear  Kiver  Valley,  Utah,  June,  1869.  Deposited  in  nest  of  Geothlypis 
trichas,    (Collected  by  Mr.  J.  0.  Olmstead.) 

*  According  to  Mr.  Henshaw  {l.  c),  the  Bobolink  apparently  breeds,  at  Provo, 
Utah,  parent  birds  having  been  noticed  feeding  their  young,  July  25th. 


502  OENITHOLOGY. 

X ANTHOCEPHALTTS  ICTEEOOEPHALUS. 
Yellow-headed  Blackbird* 

{Se-zooh!  of  the  Washoes.) 

Icterus  icterocephalus^  BoNAP.,  Am.  Orn.,  1, 1835,  27,  pi.  3. 

Xanthocephalm  icterocephalus^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 531 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859, 
Ko.  404— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  267.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 156,  fig.  98 ;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  213 ;  B.  N. W.,  1874, 188.— B.  B.  &  K.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.  II,  1874, 
167,  pi.  xxxii,  fig.  9;  pi.  xxxiii,  fig.  9— Henshaw,  1875,  315. 

In  order  to  be  assured  of  the  presence  of  this  large  and  conspicuous 
specie^,  it  was  only  necessary  to  find  an  extensive  marsh  with  a  sufficient 
extent  of  tall  rushes,  or,  as  termed  in  western  parlance,  tules.  It  was  most 
abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  City  and  along  the  southeastern 
margin  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Jordan  River;  but  it 
was  also  plentiful  at  all  mtermediate  points  where  suitable  localities  existed. 
These  birds  generally  frequent  the  same  marshes  as  the  Red-wings  {AgelcBus)^ 
but  usually  the  two  congregate  in  colonies  in  separate  portions  of  a  marsh. 
In  general  habits  there  is  much  resemblance  to  the  Red-wings,  especially 
in  their  fondness  for  mai'shy  localities ;  but  in  many  respects  there  is  a 
closer  approach  to  the  Cow-bird  (Molothrus),  notably  in  their  very  terres- 
trial nature ;  for  they  may  be  very  often  observed  walking  over  the  green- 
sward of  the  damp  meadows  with  a  firm,  stately,  and  graceful  gait,  in  the 
manner  of  the  species  alluded  to  above.  The  eggs,  also,  are  more  like  those 
of  Molothrvs  than  those  of  Agelceus. 

The  notes  of  the  Yellow-headed  Blackbird  are  among  the  harshest  and 
rudest  we  have  heard  in  any  species.  Their  general  character  is  that  char- 
acteristic of  most  ** Blackbirds"  of  this  family,  the  ordinary  note  being  a 
deep  chuck^  similar  to  that  of  Quiscalus  purpureus  or  Q,  ceneus,  but  louder ; 
while  the  song  of  the  male  is  a  discordant  squawk,  apparently  **  strained 
out "  by  great  effort,  in  a  squeaking,  rasping  sort  of  way,  like  the  similar 
performance  of  Mohthrus  or  Quismlmj  but  differing  in  that  many  of  the 
notes  compare,  in  loudness  and  grating  tone,  with  those  of  the  Guinea  Hen 
{Numida  meleagris).  The  singer,  however,  evidently  thinks  his  perform- 
ance pleasing,  and  it  probably  is  to  his  mate,  for  he  makes  a  great  parade 


AGEL.EUS  PHOBNICEUS.  503 

of  himself,  spreading  his  tail  widel)'-,  drcK)ping  bis  wings,  and  swelling  out 
his  body  at  each  effort. 

The  species  was  partially  migratory  in  the  Interior,  only  a  few  ex- 
amples being  seen  during  the  winter  at  Carson  City,  these  being  mostly 
solitary  individuals  mixed  in  with  flocks  of  Scolecophagus  cyanocephaliis^ 
although  occasionally  small  troops  visited  the  corrals  for  the  purpose  of 
gleaning  the  half-digested  grain  from  the  manure.  Their  gregarious  naturfe 
was  manifest  at  all  times,  however,  even  in  summer,  for  they  nested  in 
large  communities,  apart  from  the  other  marsh-birds,  although  always  found 
in  close  proximity  to  them. 

List  of  specimens, 

39,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  California,  June  12, 1867.    Nest  in  tule-slough. 

140,  ^a<i.;  Camp  17,  valley  of  the  Humboldt,  Nevada,  August  30,  1867.  11— 
I'^i— ^tI — ^i — 5 — ^16— 4y3^ — 1|f.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  hazel. 

523,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  24,  1868.  10§-.17— 5|^— 4f .  Kemarks 
as  above. 

965,  Sad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  21, 1869.  11— 18J.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes, 
deep  black  ;  iris,  brown. 

966,  $  ad,;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  21, 1869.     11^— 18^.    JEiemarks  as  above. 
973-1004,  thirty-two  nests  with  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  21, 1869.    i^ests 

among  the  tules^  in  a  slough,  near  Warm  Spring  Lake )  maximum  number  of  eggs,  four. 

1021,  S  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22, 1869.  11^18|^.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  black ; 
iris,  brown. 

1022,  9  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22,  1869.  9— 14f.  Bill,  dusky  horn  color, 
darker  above ;  iris,  brown  ]  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

AGBLiEUS   PHCENICEUS. 
Bed-shouldered  Blackbird. 

a.  pTmnicem — Red-and-huff-shouldered  Blackbird. 

{Se-^oo' 'te-mo-lah^ -gehk  of  the  Washoes;  Pah-cooV -up-at^ -su-que  of  the 

Paiutes.) 

Oriolus  phceniceus^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  161. 

AgelcBus  phcenioeus^  Vieill.,  Analyse,  1816.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,626; 
Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  401.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 261.— CouES, 
Key,  1872,  156,  pi.  4;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  212.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
Birds,  II,  1874,  169,  pi.  xxxiii,  figs.  1, 2, 3.— Henshaw,  1876, 313. 

Agelwtis  phcenicem.  a.  pJiwniceuSy  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  186. 


504  OENITHOLOGY. 

yff.  gub€rnator-—Bed-and-black'Shoul<Jlered  Blackbird. 

PsarocoUm  guhernator^  Wagleb,  Isis,  1832,  281. 

Agelcem  ^w&ernafor,  Bokap.,  Oomp.  and  Geog.  List^  1838,  30.— Baird,  Birds  N. 

Am.,  1868,  529;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  402.— Cooper,  Orn.  Oal.,  I, 

1870,263. 

Agelceus  ph^niceus  var.  gubemator^  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  156;  Checli  List,  No.  212a. 

— B.  B.  &  K.,  Hist.  K  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  163,  pi.  xxxiii,  figs.  4,  8. 
Agelceus  phoeniceus.  c.  gubernatorj  CouES^  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 186 

The  Red- winged  Blacl4)ird  was  found  in  all  marshy  places,  being 
especially  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great  lakes  of  the  Interior 
and  along  the  larger  rivers.  The  form  distinguished  as  gubernator  was 
exceedingly  abundant  among  the  tules  near  Sacramento,  where  it  was 
associated  with  A.  tricolor  and  Xanthocephalus  icterocephcUm ;  but  east  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada  it  was  found  only  in  the  western  depression,  and  was  there 
very  rare  compared  with  the  commoner  form,  A,  phcenicem. 

List  of  specimens. 
a.  phceniceus. 

141,  (J;  Camp  17,  valley  of  the  Huniboidt,  Nevada,  August  30,  1867.  OJ— 14| 
— "(^)— 05)-- if^l— 3f-~l|-  Bill,  dark  hepatic-brown,  stripe  of  black  on  side  of 
lower  mandible  and  on  the  culmen ;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

142,  S;  Camp  17,  valley  of  the  Humboldt,  S"evada,  August  30, 1867.  9— 14|— 
4}f— 4^1^— 1—1— 34— (!).    Same  remarks. 

154,  (J;  Camp  17,  September  2,  1867.  OJ— 14|— If— 3^— jf— 1— 3|  -IJ.  Same 
remarks. 

238,  i;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  October  7, 1807.  0§— 15| 
— 5^^^ — H — i — ^ — ^1 — H'    BiU>  tarsi,  and  toes,  black;  iris,  hazel. 

265,  <J;  Camp  26,  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  8, 1867.  Willows.  9J 
— 15J — 45 — 4^5 — I — 1— 3J — If.  Bill,  dull  blackish,  slightly  brownish  on  tomium  and 
gopys;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

266,  ^;  Camp  26,  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  8, 1867.  9J— 15f— 4|| 
— 4 — I — 1 — 3^ — 1^.    Same  remarks. 

267,  i ;  Camp  26,  Truekee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  8, 1867.  9— 14 J— 4f  J— 
^ll~~ll — }| — ^i — ^i-    ^^^^  uniform  brownish-black,  lower  mandible  rather  paler. 

268,  ii  Camp  26,  November  8,  1867.  Willows.  9|— 15— 4^— 4— J— 1— 3§— 1^. 
Bill,  uniform  dull  black. 

293,  (J;  Camp  26,  November  18, 1867.  9^— ISJ- 5J~4J— if— l^V-SJ- If.  Bill, 
uniform  slate-black;  iris,  vandyke-brbwu ;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

294,  ^;  Camp  26,  November  18, 1867.  9i— 15J— 6^4J— J^l^^— 3|— 1^.  Bill, 
slaty -black,  inclining  to  brownish-cinereous  on  basal  portion  of  lower  mandible. 

295,  ^;  Camp  26,  November  18, 1867.  9— 14§— 4|— 3f— f|— Ix^— 3^— ii-  Same 
remarks.  . 


AGEL^US  TEICOLOR.  505 

296,  <?5  Oamp  26,  November  18,  1867.  9J_15|— 54— iy'^— |f— l^V-^S— H. 
Same  remai  ks.    (Prepared  by  Mr.  Parker.) 

297,  ?;  Camp  26,  November  18, 1867.  8J— 13— 4^-^^^— }|— }f— SJ— IJ.  Up- 
per mandible,  dull  black,  lower  dull  cinereous;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  black. 

298,  ?;  Oamp  26,  November  18, 1867.  7|—12i— 4^—3/^-3— J— 3f—l  J.  Upper 
mandible,  brownish  slaty-black,  tomium  paler,  lower  brownish  cinereous;  iris,  van- 
dyke-brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

299,  9;  Camp  26,  November  18, 1867.  7f— 12§— 4J— 34— |f— }|-3— IJ.  Same 
remarks. 

403,  9;  Camp  26,  November  19/  1867.  7^-12^— 44— 3/^— }|— }f— 3/^— IJ. 
Upper  mandible,  horn-black,  tomium  paler;  lower  pale  horn-color,  the  point  dusky; 
iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  brownish-black, 

566,  $  ad.;  Truckee  Keservation,  May  15,  1868.  9|— 15^— (!)— 4.  Bill,  tarsi, 
and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  sepia. 

772  (3),  773  (3);  nests  and  eggs.  Truckee  Reservation,  May  31, 1868.  Nests  in 
small  bushes,  in  overflowed  meadow. 

967,  ^  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  21,  1869.  10— 16^.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes, 
black;  iris,  brown. 

988,  S  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  21,  1869.    10—16.     Same  remarks. 

1005,  1006,  1007,  1008,  1009;  nests  and  eggs.  Salt  Lake  City,  May  21,  1869. 
Tule-meadows;  maximum  number  of  eggs,  four. 

1023,  <J  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22, 1869,    9|— 19.    Remarks  as  above. 

1024,  <J  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22,  1869.    9^—15^.    Remarks  as  above. 

1025,  <J  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22,  1869.    9§— 15g^.    Remarks  as  above. 
1089,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.    Grassy 

marsh,  lake-shore. 

1142  (4),  1143  (4),  1144,  1145,  1146,  1147,  1148,  1149,  1150,  1151,  nests  and  eggs; 
Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  9, 1869.  Ifesta  in  sagebrush,  in  alkaline  pond, 
near  lake-shore. 

)9.  gubernator. 

432,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  9,  1868.  9|— 15§— 5J— 4^.  Bill,  tarsi, 
and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  hazel. 

788,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Truckee  Reservation,  June  3,  1868.  Nest  in  sipall  bush, 
in  wet  meadow. 

AGELiEUS   TRICOLOR. 
Red-and*white-sliouldered  Blackbird* 

Icterus  tricolor,  NuTTALL,  Man.  Orn.,  I,  2d  ed.,  1840,  186. 

Agelwus  tricolor^  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  30. — Baibd,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  630;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  403.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II, 
1874, 165,  pi.  xxxin,  figs.  5,  6,  7.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  265. 

Agelcem  phceniceus  var.  tricolor,  COUES,  Key,  1872,  156;  Cbeck  List,- 1873,  No. 
212b. 

Agelwus  phceniceus.  d.  tricolor,  CouBS,  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  186. 

This  very  distinct  species  was  seen  only  in  the  neighborhood  of  Sacra- 


506  ORNITHOLOGY. 

mento  City,  where  it  was  excessively  abundant,  along  with  the  A.  guherna- 
tar  and  Xanthocephalus  icterocepJialus,  among  the  tules  near  the  riven  The 
individuals  of  this  species  were  easily  distinguished  by  their  different  appear- 
ance, while  their  notes  were  strikingly  dissimilar. 

Rturnella  neglecta. 

Western  meadow-I^arkt 

{Se-zoo* -te-ya! "lehh  of  the  Washoes;  PaW-at-se^-tone  of  the  Paiutes.) 
8turneUa  neghcta,  Audubon,  B.  Am.,  VII,  1843,  339,  pi.  487.— Baird,  Birds  N. 

Am.,  1868,  537;  Oatal.,  1850,  Ko.  407.~Cooper,  Oni.  Cal.,  f,  1870^  270. 
Sturnella  magna  var.  neglecta.  CoUES,  Key,  1872, 157 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  214a.— 

B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 176,  pi.  xxxiv,  flg.  1.— Henshaw,  1875, 
317. 

Sturnella  magna,  h.  neglecta^  OouES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  190. 

The  Western  Meadow  Lark  is  a  generally-distributed  species,  since 
it  occurs  wherever  there  are  grassy  tracts,  as  well  as  in  the  sage-brush 
of  the  more  fertile  districts ;  it  is  much  less  common  in  the  mountains, 
however,  than  in  the  lower  valleys,  and  we  do  not  remember  meeting  with 
it  higher  up  than  an  altitude  of  7,000  feet.  So  far  as  general  habits  are 
concerned,  it  is  a  cdunterpart  of  the  eastern  species  {S.  magna),  but  its  notes 
are  most  strikingly  different,  while  it  exhibits  some  very  noticeable  pecu- 
limities  of  manners.  It  is  a  much  more  familiar  bird  than  its  eastern 
relative,  and  we  observed  that  the  manner  of  its  flight  differed  in  an 
important  respect,  the  bird  flitting  along  with  a  comparatively  steady, 
though  trembling,  flutter,  instead  of  propelling  itself  by  occasional  spas- 
modic beatings  of  the  wings,  then  extending  them  horizontally  during  the 
intervals  between  these  beats,  as  is  the  well-known  manner  of  flight  of  the 
eastern  species. 

AH  observers,  we  believe,  from  the  earliest  explorers  to  those  of  the 
present  time,  agree  as  to  the  wide  difference  in  the  notes  of  the  Western 
Meadow  Lai^k  from  those  of  the  eastern  bird ;  and  this  we  consider  to  be  a 
sufficient  evidence  of  specific  diversity,  notwithstanding  the  close  similarity 
of  general  appearance— especially  if  taken  in  connection  with  the  other 
differences  alluded  to,  and  the  equally  important  fact,  attested  by  many 
writers,  that  in  the  region  where  the  habitats  of  the  two  forms  adjoin  they 


STUENELLA  NEGLEOTA.  507 

are  found  together,  each  preserving  with  perfect  distinctness  its  peculiarities 
of  habits  and  voice,  there  not  being  that  gradual  transition  from  one  to  the 
other,  in  proceeding  eastward  or  westward,  which  would  exist  in  case  the 
differences  were  merely  the  impress  of  geographical  causes. 

We  know  of  no  two  congeneric  species,  of  any  family  of  birds,  more 
radically  distinct  in  all  their  utterances  than  the  eastern  and  western  Meadow 
Larks,  two  years  of  almost  daily  association  with  the  latter,  and  a  much 
longer  famiHarity  with  the  former,  having  thoroughly  convinced  us  of  this 
fact ;  indeed,  as  has  been  the  experience  of  every  naturaUst  whose  remarks 
on  the  subject  we  have  read  or  heard,  we  never  even  so  much  as  suspected, 
upon  hearing  the  song  of  the  Western  Lark  for  the  first  time,  that  the  author 
of  the  clear,  loud,  ringing  notes  were  those  of  a  bird  at  all  related  to  the 
Eastern  Lark,  whose  song,  though  equally  sweet,  is  far  more  subdued — 
half-timid — and  altogether  less  powerful  ahd  varied.  As  to  strength  of 
voice,  no  eastern  bird  can  be  compared  to  this,  while  its  notes  possess  a 
metallic  resonance  equalled  only  by  those  of  the  Wood  Thrush,  The  modu- 
lation of  the  song  of  the  Western  Lark  we  noted  on  several  occasions,  and 
found  it  to  be  most  frequently  nearly  as  expressed  by  the  following  sylla- 
bles :  Tung''tung''tung'ah^  tillah^ 4iUah\  tung' — the  first  three  notes  deliberate, 
full,  and  resonant,  the  next  two  finer  and  in  a  higher  key,  the  final  one  hke 
the  first  in  accent  and  tone.  Sometimes  this  song  is  varied  by  a  metallic 
trill,  which  renders  it  still  more  pleasing.  The  ordinary  note  is  a  deep- 
toned  tuck,  much  Hke  the  chuck  of  the  Blackbirds  {Qmscalus)^  but  consid- 
erably louder  and  more  metallic ;  another  note  is  a  prolonged  rolling  chat- 
ter, somewhat  similar  to  that  of  the  Baltimore  Oriole  [Icterus  haltimore\  but 
correspondingly  louder,  while  the  anxious  call-note  is  a  liquid  tyur^  which 
in  its  tone  and  expression  calls  to  mind  the  spring-call  (not  the  warble)  of 
the  Eastern  Blue-bird  {Sialia  sialis),  or  the  exceedingly  similar  complaining 
note  of  the  Orchard  Oriole  {Icterus  spurius).  In  fact,  all  the  notes  of  the 
Western  Lark  clearly  indicate  its  position  in  the  family  Icteridce^  which  is 
conspicuously  not  the  case  in  the  eastern  bird.^ 

^The  song  itself  is  more  like  that  of  the  Common  Troupial  {Icterus  vulgaris)  than 
any  other  we  have  ever  beard,  but  it  is,  if  anything,  more  powerful ;  the  tone  and 
accent  are,  however,  exceedingly  similar. 


508  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Idat  of  spedmms. 

149,  Sjttv.;  Gamp  17,  valley  of  the  Humboldt,  Kevada,  August  31, 1867.  (Grassy 
iriver-bottoni.)  9f — 14J — 4J--3| — 1^—1  A — ^—i'  Upper  mandible,  light  pinkish- 
sepia;  lower  brownish  lilaceous- white,  tip  darker;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  deli- 
cate lilaceous-white,  faintly  tinged  with  brown. 

156,  ^Jttu.;  Camp  17,  September  2, 1867.  (Grassy  river-bottom.)  9J— 14f— 4f— 
m — 1^"— H*B — ^i — !•  Upper  mandible,  clear  light  sepia,  deepening  into  horn  color 
at  end  ;  lower  brownish  lilaceous-whitii^h,  darker  terminally. 

247,  ijuv.;  Gamp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  N^evada,  October  11,  1867, 
(Fields.)  ]0|— 15— .5— 4|— lf—l^«^ — 3|— 1.  CJpper  mandible,  deep  borncolor,  black- 
ish  terminally ;  tomium  and  lower  mandible,  paler  lildceons  hom-color,  darker  ter- 
minally; iris,  hazel;  tarsi,  delicate  brownish-whitish;  toes,  slightly  darker. 

362,  ?  juv.;  Truckee  Reservation,  Nevada,  December  18, 1867.  9— 141—4^—3 J— 
^TB — ^\ — 23 — f.  Bill,  generally,  delicate  lilaceous-white;  upper  mandible  with  a  dilute 
brownish  tinge,  the  culmen  light  sepia;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  delicate  lilaceous- 
white. 

415,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  5, 1868.  9|— 16J — 5|— 4y^^.  Upper  man- 
dible, fttecfc;  basal  portion  of  culmen,  (between  frontal  feathers,)  broad  stripe  on  basal 
three-fourths  of  upper  totnium,  with  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible  |?ttr6  2)al^  blue; 
tip  of  lower  mandible,  black;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  delicate,  uniform,  pale  ashy- 
lilaceous. 

459,  iad.;  Carson,  City,  Nevada,  March  26, 1868.  10|— 17— 5i~4i.  Same  re- 
marks. 

460,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  26, 1868.    10—16—5—4.    Same  remarks. 
606,  nest  and  eggs  (5);  Carson  City,  Nevadaj  April  21, 1868.    Nest  imbedded  in 

ground  beneath  sage-bush ;  nest  precisely  like  that  of  8.  magna. 

787,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Truckee  Eeservation,  June  3, 1868.  Nest  imbedded  in  the 
ground,  beneath  a  low  bush,  on  the  grassy  bank  of  the  river. 


Icterus  bullocki. 

Bullock's  Oriole. 

{Yset'he  of  the  Washoes.) 

Xanikornus  hullockiij  SvtaINSON,  Synop.  Mex.  Birds,  Philos.  Mag.,  r,  1827,  436. 

Icterus  bnllackiij  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 29.— Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 
549;  Catal.,  1859,  No.  416.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  273.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 
158,  fig.  100;  Check  List,  1873.  No.  217;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  195— B.  B.  &  R., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 199,  pi.  XXXTV,  flgs.  3, 7.— Henshaw,  1875,  320. 

Except  in  the  higher  pine  forests,  this  beautiful  Oriole  is  common  in 
all  wooded  localities  of  the  western  country.  It  abounded  at  Sacramento 
to  such  an  extent  that  several  nests  were  often  found  in  one  tree,  a  large 


ICTERUS  BULLOOKL  509 

cotton- wood  by  our  camp  containing  five,  some  of  which,  however,  were 
unoccupied.  In  May  we  found  numbers  of  them  in  the  rich  valley  of  the 
Truckee,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  and  observed  that  they  were  then  subsisting 
chiefly  on  the  tender  buds  of  the  grease-wood  {Obione  confertifolia),  in  com- 
pany with  Eedymeles  melanocephaluSy  Pyranga  ludoviciana^  and  some  other 
species. 

The  nest  of  Bullock's  Oriole  is  very  similar  in  its  structure  and  compo- 
sition to  that  of  the  Baltimore  (LbaUimore)y  but  it  is  less  frequently  pendu- 
lous, and  seldom,  if  ever,  so  gracefully  suspended.  Its  usual  position  is 
between  upright  twigs,  near  the  top  of  the  tree,  thus  resembling  more  that 
of  the  Orchard  Oriole  (J.  spurius),  which,  however,  is  very  different  in  its 
composition. 

List  of  specimens. 

1,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Sacramento,  California,  June  6, 1867.  Nest  in  top  of  large 
isolated  cotton- wood. 

220,  nest;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  1,  1867.  In  aspen- 
thicket.    (Collected  by  Mr.  J.  D.  Hague.) 

667,  $  ad,;  Truckee  Reservation,  May  15, 1868.  8J— 12|— (?)— 3^7^.  Upper  man- 
dible, black,  the  toniium  bluish- white;  lower,  pale  blue,  slightly  dusky  toward  end  of 
gonys;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  brownish-blue. 

808,  nest;  Truckee  Reservation,  May,  1868.  Nest  on  drooping  branch  of 
willow. 

1057  (2),  1058  (5),  nests  and  eggs ;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  27,  1869.  l^ests  in 
mountain-mahogany  bush,  1,500  feet  above  camp. 

1061,  $ad.  (parent  of  No.  1057).  8— 12J.  Upper  mandible  black,  tomium  and 
lower  mandible  fine  light  blue;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  blue,  with  a  faint 
yellowish  stain. 

1065,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29, 1869.  Nest  in  maple-sapling,  in 
wooded  ravine.    (City  Creek  Canon.) 

1106,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  5, 1869.  Nest 
in  apple-tree,  in  orchard. 

1130,  nest  and  eggs;  Antelope  Island,  June  7, 1869.    Willow-copse. 

1178, 1179,  nests  and  eggs;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  18, 1869.  Mountain-mahogany 
trees,  1,800  feet  above  camp. 

1346,  $ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  28, 1869.  84—12. 
Bill  black,  commissure  and  lower  mandible  fine  light  blue;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and 
toes,  horn-blue. 

1387,  nest ;  Provo  River,  Utah,  July  10, 1869.    Thorn  apple  bush, 

1390,  nest;  Provo  River,  Utah,  July  11, 1869.    Thorn-apple  bush. 


510  ORNITHOLOGY. 

SCOLECOPHAGUa  CYAKOGBPHALUS. 
Brewer's  Blackbird. 

PsarocoUus  cyanocephaluSj  Waglbb,  Isis,  1829,  758. 

Scolecophagus  cyanooephalua^  Cabanis,  Mas.  Hein.,  I,  1851,  195. — Baibb,  B.  N. 
Am.,  1868,  652;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  418.— CooPEB,  Orn.  Gal.,  I,  278.— 
OoUES,  Key,  1872, 160;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  322;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  199.— B. 
B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 206,  pi.  xxxv,  fig.  3.— Henshaw,  1875, 321. 

Seldom  seen  there  during  summer,  this  Blackbird  becomes  one  of  the 
most  abundant  species  in  the  lower  valleys  during  the  winter  season,  when 
immense  flocks  frequent  the  settlements  and  resort  daily  to  the  corrals  for 
their  food,  which  at  this  time  consists  largely  of  the  grain  gleaned  from  the 
fresh  dung,  or  found  scattered  where  the  stock  has  been  fed.  They  also 
visit  the  slaughter-houses  for  their  share  of  the  offal,  of  which,  however, 
the  Magpies  deprive  them  of  the  greater  portion.  In  the  severer  weather 
small  companies  even  came  to  the  door-yards  in  Carson  City,  to  feed  upon 
the  crumbs  and  scraps  of  meat  thrown  from  the  tables.  During  the  breed- 
ing-season they  were  observed  to  have  retired  to  the  mountains,  where  they 
frequented  the  trees  in  the  lower  cafions,  or  on  the  lower  slopes,  the  groves 
of  cedars  and  nut-pines  being  a  favorite  resort.  On  the  3d  of  June,  1867, 
we  discovered  the  breeding-ground  of  a  large  colony  of  this  species  in  a 
grove  of  the  above-named  trees,  among  the  mountains  fronting  the  southern 
end  of  Pyramid  Lake.  More  than  a  hundred  pairs  had  congregated  there, 
and  almost-every  tree  contained  one  or  more  nests,  while  as  many  as  three 
containing  eggs  or  young  were  sometimes  found  on  a  single  tree.  Each  nest 
was  saddled  upon  a  horizontal  branch,  usually  near  the  top  of  the  tree,  or 
at  a  height  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground,  and  was  well  concealed 
in  a  thick  tuft  of  foliage,  the  position  being  quite  the  same  in  every  instance ; 
most  of  them  contained  young  birds,  and  when  these  were  disturbed  the 
parents  flew  very  near,  exliibiting  much  concern,  and  uttering  a  soft  chuck 
as  they  hovered  about  us ;  the  maximum  number  of  eggs  or  young  found 
in  a  nest  was  six,  the  usual  number  being  four  or  five.  In  Parley's  Park, 
among  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  they  were  also  abundant  during  the  breed- 
ing-season, and  although  many  nests  were  found,  they  were  more  scattered, 
on  account,  we  suppose,  of  the  surrounding  country  being  more  generally 


SCOLECOPH AGUS  GTANOCEPH ALUS.  51 1 

wooded — their  gregariousness  in  the  instance  mentioned  above  being  most 
Hkely  due  to  the  fact  that  trees  were  exceedingly  scarce  in  that  portion  of 
the  country,  and,  so  far  as  the  mountains  were  concerned,  limited  to  occa- 
sional isolated  groves.  Along  toward  the  latter  part  of  July  and  during  the 
month  of  August,  they  became  exceedingly  abundant  in  Parley's  Park,  a 
large  proportion  of  the  flocks  being  composed  of  young  birds;  aud  so  numer- 
ous were  they  that  an  average  of  ten  or  a  dozen  would  be  brought  down 
by  a  single  shot.  They  thus  contributed  very  essentially  to  the  subsist- 
ence of  our  tame  hawks — four  fine  examples  oi  Buteo  swainsoni,  reared 
that  season  from  the  nest,  and  allowed  perfect  liberty  about  the  camp. 
A  wounded  bird,  winged  in  one  of  these  massacres,  exhibited  great  spirit 
and  determination  when  confronted  by  one  of  the  hawks  mentioned  above, 
for  he  no  sooner  saw  the  latter  than  he  became  suddenly  possessed  of  the 
most  infuriate  passion,  even  while  yet  held  in  the  hand,  and,  with  feathers 
raised,  and  silvery  eyes  flashing,  sprang  upon  the  hawk  and  fastened  to 
the  back  of  his  head  with  bill  and  claws.  The  poor  hawk  was  greatly 
terrified,  and  with  outspread  wings  hopped  frantically  over  the  ground,  at 
the  same  time  uttering  such  plaintive  whistlings  that  the  scene  excited  shouts 
of  laughter  and  applause  from  the  spectators.  The  hawk  was  finally  released 
from  its  tormentor,  and  would  never  afterward  touch  a  living  bird.  During 
a  great  flight  of  grasshoppers  which  devastated  the  grain-fields  of  Parley's 
Park  and  surrounding  districts,  these  Blackbirds  were  almost  constantly 
employed  tn  catching  these  insects,  and  during  their  stay  appeared  to  eat 
nothing  else.  When  engaged  in  their  pursuit  it  was  observed  that  they 
often  flew  from  the  perch  and  caught  them  in  the  air,  in  true  flycatcher 
style,  this  performance  being  so  far  from  exceptional  that  it  was  not  uncom- 
mon to  see  several  individuals  perform  the  exploit  at  one  time. 

Li8t  of  spedmem. 

1S9, gad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  17, 1867. 
(Sheep  corral.)  9|f— 10^—5^7^ — 4/^ — ^H — *i— ^i-  ^i^lj  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black; 
iris,  whitish  sulphur-yellow. 

190,  $ad^  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  17,  18G7. 
lO-lO-^l— 4f— }|— IJ— 4«lj|.    Same  remarks. 

191 ,  S  ad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  September  17,  1867. 
9g— I5g— 5|g^    13     11    lA— 3H— ^i'    Same  remarks. 


512  OBI^ITHOLOGY. 

195,  Sad.;  Camp  19^  September  19, 1867.  (Sheep  corral.)  10— 15|— 5§— 4jV~-| 
— 1  j^--4|— If.    Same  remarks. 

106,  9  ad.;  Camp  19,  September  19,  1867.  95-.14^— 4}|-4— f— 1^3}f— 1^. 
Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  blaek ;  iris,  light reddishhazeU 

198,  i  ad.;  Camp  19,  September  20,  1867.  (Sheep  corral.)  10— 16~-5^\— 4yV— 
Jl — Ijl — 44—1^1^.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  whitish  sulphur  yellow. 

205,  ^ad.;  Camp  19,  September  21,  1867.  9^— 14}|— 5  1|  |— l^i^-^^lg. 
Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  black ;  iris,  light  brownishliazel. 

206,  9  ad.;  Camp  19,  September  21,  1867.  9J— 14|—4}f— 4^1^—1— lyV—3|—lJ. 
Iris,  deep  (not  light)  hazel. 

789  (4),  790  (6),  791  (4),  792,  793,  794,  795,  796,  797,  798,  nests  and  eggs;  near 
Truckee  Eeservation,  June  3, 1868. 

1277,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parlej^s  Park  (Wahsatch  Mountains),  Utah,  June  24, 
1869.    Nest  in  bush  by  stream. 

1278  (4),  1279  (2),  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park  (Wahsatch  Mountains),  Utah, 
June  24, 1869.  Nests  in  cotton-woods,  along  stream;  supported  against  the  trunk  by 
small  twigs. 

1424,  $  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  17, 1869.  lOJ— lOJ.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  black ; 
iris,  white. 

1462,  Sjnv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  28, 1869.  10— 16 J.  Bill,  legs,  and  feet,  black; 
iris,  grayish  yellowish  white. 

Family  COEVID^— Ceows  and  Jays. 

COEVUS   CORAX. 
Raven. 

/?.  carnivorus— American  Baven. 
{Kah'-gehk  of  the  Washoes;  Ahf-dah  of  the  Paiutes;  Hih  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Carvus  carnivorus^  Baetbam,  Travels,  Fla.,  1793,  290.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1868, 560;  Cat.  N.  Am. Birds,  1869,  Ko.  423.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 282. 

Corvns  corax  var.  carnivorus^  B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  K.  Am.  Birds^  II,  1874,  234,  pi. 
XXXVII,  fig.  6.— Hbnshaw,  1876,  324. 

Corvus  corax  (var.t),  CoxjES,  Key,  1872, 162. 
•    Corvus  corax^  CoUES,  Check  List,  1873,  No.  226;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 204. 

Corvus  cacalotl,  Wagler,  Isis,  1831,  627.— Baxrd,  Birds  K  Am.,  1868,  663;  Cat. 
N.  Am.  Birds,  1869,  No.  424. 

This  large  bird  is  one  of  the  most  characteristic  species  of  the 
Great  Basin^  over  which  it  appears  to  be  universally  distributed,  no 
desert-tract  being  so  extensive  or  sterile  that  a  solitary  Raven  may  not  be 
seen  any  day,  although  in  such  regions  it  is  most  usually  observed  winging 


CORVUS  CARmVOEUS.  513 

its  way  silenily,  or  with  an  occasional  hoarse  croak,  from  the  mountains 
on  one  side  the  desert  to  the  range  opposite.  It  is  also  plentiful  in  the 
most  fertile  sections.  We  did  not  see  it  in  the  Sacramento  Valley,  where 
the  Common  Crow  ((Z  americanus)  was  so  abundant — the  two  species  being, 
in  fact,  nowhere  found  together  in  equal  abundance;  but  it  became  numer- 
ous immediately  after  we  had  crossed  the  Sierra  Nevada,  while  the  Crow 
disappeared  almost  entirely.  In  those  portions  where  the  Raven  was  the 
predominant  species,  as  in  western  Nevada,  we  found  that  it  went  by  the 
popular  name  of  ^^Crow,"  while  the  more  rare  C,  americanus  was  distin- 
guished as  the  ''Tom  Crow!"  At  the  Truckee  Meadows  the  Ravens  were 
very  abundant  in  November,  but  were  so  shy  as  to  be  with  difficulty  ap- 
proached within  gunshot.  At  the  latter  locality  we  once  observed  an  assem- 
bly of  them  annoying  a  Rough-legged  Hawk  {Archibuteo  sancti-johannis) 
which  had  alighted  on  a  fence-post;  but  the  hawk  did  not  appear  to  mind 
them  much,  and  did  not  fly  until  we  approached,  when  he  took  to  flight, 
and  was  followed  by  the  Ravens  until  almost  out  of  sight.  At  Carson  City 
they  were  very  numerous  in  winter  at  the  slaughter-house,  just  outside  the 
town,  where  they  congregated  with  the  Magpies  to  feed  upon  the  offal;  they 
were  then  very  tame  and  easily  killed.  The  true  home,  however,  of  the 
Ravens  appeared  to  be  in  the  desert  mountains,  where  their  eyries  were 
often  seen  among  the  high  volcanic  rocks,  out  of  reach  of  an  ordingCry 
climber.  In  the  appearance,  manners,  and  voice  of  the  Raven  there  is  such 
a  general  resemblance  to  the  Common  Crow  that  after  long  familiarity 
with  the  latter  the  peculiarities  of  the  former  are  forgotten.  This,  probably, 
accounts  for  the  inappropriateness,  or  incorrectness,  of  the  western  nomen- 
clature of  these  two  birds,  for  when  the  two  are  seen  together,  which  not 
often  happens,  the  ^*Tom  Crow"  appears  dwarfed  in  size,  or  not  as  large  as  a 
crow  should  be.  The  notes,  also,  are  quite  similar  in  their  character  (far 
more  so  than  those  of  the  Fish  Crow,  C  ossifragus^  and  the  common  species), 
but  they  are  considerably  hoarser  and  less  vehement.  The  most  conspicuous 
difference  is  in  their  manner  of  flight,  the  Crow  flapping  its  wings  continu- 
ally, and  seldom  if  ever  sailing  with  outstretched,  motionless  pinions,  while 
the  Raven  almost  constantly  soars  in  the  buoyant  and  well-sustained  man- 
ner of  certain  Baptores,  a  flapping  flight  being  the  very  rare  exception. 
33  PR 


514  ORNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  specimenis. 

271,  ?  adj  Camp  26,  November  11,  1867.  25— 50J— 17— 13|-^— 2J— 9J— f;j. 
Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  interior  of  mouthy  deep  slaty  violaeeous-blacJc ;  iris, 
deep  Vandyke. 

284,  S  ad.;  Camp  26,  November  16,  1867.  26— 51— 17— 13f~3— 2§— lOJ— 5|. 
Same  remarks.  Interior  of  mouth  with  some  flesh-color  beneath  the  tongue  and  far 
back. 

2S5^  9  ad;  Camp  26,  November  15, 1867.  25— 60— 17— U— 3— 2^—10— 6.  Same 
remarks.    Interior  of  mouth  with  cloudings  of  livid  flesh-color  posteriorly. 


CORVUS  AMERICANUS. 
Common  Crow. 

{Kah'-gehk  Nah'-ming  of  the  Washoes ;   Queh'  Ah' -dah  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Corvus  americanus^  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  317. — Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1868, 
566;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  426.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  162;  Check  List, 
1873,  No.  228.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 243,  pi.  xxxvii,  fig.  5  — 
Hen  SHAW,  1875, 327. 

Corvus  amerieanus.  a.  americanns^  CoUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  206. 

Corinis  caurinus^  Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  1, 1870,  285  (part,  if  not  entirely). 

In  crossing  the  plains  from  Sacramento  City  to  the  Sierra  Nevada,  we 
found  the  Common  Crow  exceedingly  numerous  at  a  certain  place  along 
our  route,  where  a  considerable  stream  crossed  the  plains ;  they  flew  about 
over  the  ground  and  up  into  the  trees  with  the  same  noisy  cawing  as  in  the 
east,  and  appeared  to  be  in  all  respects  the  same  bird.  In  the  country  to  the 
eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  however,  the  Crow  was  so  extremely  rare  as 
to  be  met  with  on  but  two  occasions,  when  the  number  of  individuals  was 
limited  to  a  very  few.  The  first  examples  were  seen  at  the  stage-station 
near  the  Humboldt  marshes,  in  November.  Three  individuals  only  were 
found  there,  and  these  walked  unconcernedly  about  the  door-yard  with  the 
familiarity  of  tame  pigeons,  merely  hopping  to  one  side  when  approached 
too  closely.  So  much  confidence  displayed  by  this  usually  wary  bird  was 
in  such  contrast  with  the  extreme  shyness  and  caution  it  exhibits  in  more 
thickly-populated  portions  of  the  country,  that  we  concluded  they  were 
domesticated  specimens,  and  found  out  our  mistake  only  after  questioning 
the  station-keeper  as  to   the   history  of  his  ''pets,"  when  we  received 


PIOICORVUS  COLUMBIAN0S.  515 

permission  to  shoot  one  for  our  collection.  Later  in  tlie  same  month  a 
very  few — ^perhaps  less  than  half  a  dozen  individuals— were  found  at  the 
Truckee  Meadows,  where  they  frequented  the  willows  along  the  river. 
These  also  were  very  tame,  but  except  in  this  regard  seemed  to  be  ex- 
actly like  the  Crow  of  the  Eastern  States,  the  notes  being  quite  identical.^ 

List  of  specimens. 

256,  i  ad,;  Humboldt  Meadows  (Camp  22),  October  31, 1867.  19— (?)— 12J— 10— 
(?) — 2—7 — 4J.     Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black ;  iris,  hazel. 

263,  <?  ad,;  Camp  26,  Truckee  Meadows,  November  8, 1867.  Willows,  along  river, 
19^— 37— 12^10^—2— 2—71— 4f.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black ;  iris,  deep  van- 
dyke  5  interior  of  mouth  {except  corneous  portions),  deep  flesh-color, 

PlOICOEVUS   COLUMBIANUS. 
Clarke's  Nutcraclicr. 

{Pah! -hup  of  the  Washoes ;   Tohf-o-kot^  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Corvus  columUanus,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  Ill,  1811,  29,  pi.  xx,  fig.  2. 

Picicorvus  columbianus,  BoNAP.,  Consp.  Av,,  I,  1850,  384. — Baibd,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  573,  925  J  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  430.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  289.— 
COUES,  Key,  1872,  162,  fig.  104;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  230;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 
207.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  255,  pi.  xxxYiii,  fig.  4.— Henshavt, 
1875,  328. 

The  dense  forest  of  lofty  pines  and  kindred  trees  on  the  Sierra  Nevada 
was  where  this  remarkable  bird  most  abounded,  but  it  was  also  found  to  the 
eastward  wherever  extensive  coniferous  woods  occurred,  it  being  common 
on  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  ranges,  and  rare  on  the  intermediate  Euby 
Mountains;  but  it  was  never  seen  except  among  the  pines,  which  seem 
necessary  to  its  existence.  The  habits  and  manners  of  this  bird  deviate  so 
widely  from  those  of  the  family  to  which  it  belongs  that  no  one  would  sus- 
pect its  true  relationship ;  it  acts  like  a  Woodpecker,  screams  like  a  Wood- 
pecker, and  looks  so  much  like  one  that  the  best  ornithologists  are  apt  to 
be  misled,  by  the  first  glimpse  of  it,  into  believing  it  an  undescribed  species 

^  Mr.  E.  W.  NelsoD  iuforms  me  that  in  November  be  noticed  the  Crows  exhibiting 
the  same  familiarity  at  Sacramento  City,  where  they  were  seen  about  the  door-yards 
and  corrals  of  houses  in  the  suburbs. 


516  ORNITHOLOGY. 

of  the  Woodpecker  family;  this  was  our  own  impression,  coiTected  only  by 
the  obtaining  of  specimens.  Prince  Maximilian  described  a  white-tailed 
Woodpecker  (^^Picus  leucurus^^)  seen  by  him  in  the  Eocky  Mountains, 
which  was  undoubtedly  this  bird;  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  an  accurate  observer, 
was  more  recently  led  into  the  same  error.^ 

In  the  pine  woods  near  Carson  City  these  birds  were  very  abundant, 
and,  with  the  Jays  {Cyanura  frontalis),  made  the  forest  resound  with  their 
harsh,  discordant  cries.  Their  notes  were  often  to  be  heard  when  the  bird 
could  not  be  seen,  and  were  generally  the  first  indication  of  its  presence. 
The  usual  utterence,  a  guttural  chur-r-r'T-r-r'r'r'r,  repeated  several  times, 
and  generally  as  two  or  more  alighted  in  the  same  tree,  possessed  a  peculiar 
snarling  character;  occasionally,  however,  an  individual  would  take  up  a 
rather  musical  piping  strain,  which  being  immediately  answered  by  all  the 
others  in  the  neighborhood,  made  the  woods  echo  with  their  cries.  As 
before  stated,  all  the  actions  of  this  bird  call  to  mind  the  traits  of  the  Wood- 
pecker tribe;  it  is  a  conspicuous  object  as  it  floats  in  gentle  undulations 
above  the  tops  of  the  tall  pine  trees,  when  it  resembles  in  its  motions  the 
Ring-necked  Woodpecker  {Melanerpes  torquatus);  it  is  also  often  seen  to 
swoop  to  the  ground  to  pick  up  a  fallen  pine-seed,  return  to  the  tree  and 
hammer  it  vigorously  against  a  branch;  and  should  two  or  more  alight  in 
close  proximity  a  general  snarling  chur-r-r-r  ensues,  reminding  one  of  the 
quarrelsome  Red-headed  Woodpecker  (Melanerpes  erythrocephalus). 

We  were  unable  to  find  the  eggs  of  this  bird,  but  a  nest  was  discov- 
ered on  the  Ruby  Mountains,  in  August,  1868,  after  the  young  had  flown. 
This  nest  was  in  a  hole — apparently  the  deserted  excavation  of  the  Red- 
shafted  Flicker — in  a  tall  pine  stump,  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground; 
the  nest  itself  was  a  very  elaborate  and  symmetrical  one,  composed  of  pine 
needles  and  fine  roots,  with  larger  sticks  outside,  resembling  *in  its  general 
character  that  made  by  other  species  of  the  family.  Attention  was  first 
attracted  to  this  nest  by  observing  a  pair  of  these  birds  enter  the  cavity  in 
question.  It  is  not  known  whether  it  is  the  constant  habit  of  this  species 
to  thus  build  inside  of  holes  in  trees,  but  on  the  Sierra  Nevada  they  were 

^  Sese  American  Naturalkt^  Vol.  VI,  p.  350,  and  Bull.  Mas.  Comp.  Zoology,  Vol. 
Ill,  No.  6,  June,  1872,  p.  150. 


GYMNOKITTA  OYANOOEPHALA.  517 

often  seen  to  go  into  hollows  about  the  tree3,  as  if  going  to  and  from  their 
nests.^ 

List  of  specimens. 

308,  9  ad;  Pea- Vine  Mountain,  near  Sierra  Nevada,  November  20,  1867.  Pine 
woods.  12^— 21§— 7|— 6i— If^— li— 4|— 2f .  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black  ;  iris, 
bright  hazel. 

309,  9  ad.;  Pea-Vine  Mountain,  near  Sierra  Nevada,  November  20,  1867.  Pine 
woods.    12g—21|—7|—6f—l|— 1^^5—4^—3.    Same  remarks. 

310,  $  ad.;  Pea-Vine  Mountain,  near  Sierra  Nevada,  November  20,  1867.  Pine 
woods.    12f— 21f— 7^— 6|— 1§— 11— 41— 2^.    Same  remarks. 

320,  iad.;  pine  woods,  shore  of  Lake  Tahoe.  (Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.)  13— (?)— 8-.6f— 
1^-HV"4S-2S. 

443,  S  ad,;  Carson,  March  21,  1868.  Pines.  12f — 22f— 8— 6J.  Bill,  tarsi,  and 
toes,  black ;  iris,  blackish-sepia. 

444,  ?  ad.;  Carson,  March  21,  1868.    Pines.    12|— 22^— 7f— 6f .    Same  remarks. 
854,  9  ad.;  Camp  19,  Bast  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  4,  1868.    12|— 22— (?;— 

6,    Same  remarks. 

868,  i  ad.;  Camp  19,  August  12,  1868.    12^— 22— (?)— 6y\.    Same  remarks. 

1447,  S  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  23, 1869.  12f— 23J. 
Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  black ;  iris,  umber. 

Gymnokitta  cyanocephala. 

Blue  Nutcracker;  Illaxfniilian's  ^'Jay^.'' 

Oymnorhinus  q/anocephalus,  Maximilian,  Reise  Nord-Am.,  1841,  21. 

GymnoMtta  cyanocephala,  Bonap.,  Consp.  Av.,  1, 1850,  382. — Baied,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  574;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  431.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  292.— 
COUES,  Key,  1872,  163;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  231;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 209.— 
B.  B.  &  11.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 260,  pi.  xxxviii,  fig.  2.— Henshaw, 
1875,  331. 

This  extraordinary  bird  was  found  to  inhabit  exclusively  the  nut-pine 
and  cedar  woods  on  the  mountain  ranges  of  the  Interior,  of  which  it  was 
the  most  characteristic  species.  It  was  eminently  gregarious,  even  breeding 
in  colonies,  and  in  winter  congregating  in  immense  flocks,  which  sometimes 
consisted  of  thousands  of  individuals,  all  uttering  their  querulous  notes  as 
they  swept  to  and  fro  over  the  hills,  in  their  restless  migrations.  Its  blue 
color  is  about  the  only  feature  in  this  bird  which  would  lead  one  at  first 
sight  to  suspect  its  relationship  with  the  Jays,  all  its  habits  being  so  utterly 

^According  to  Captain  Charles  Bendire,  U.  S.  A.,  this  is  by  no  means  the  usual 
position  of  the  nest.  [See  Bulletin  of  the  JSfuttall  Ornithological  Club,  Vol.  I,  No.  2, 
July,  1876,  pp.  44,  45.J 


518  ORNITHOLOGY. 

different  from  those  of  the  more  familiar  species  of  this  family.  It  is  as 
essentially  migratory  as  the  Passenger  Pigeon  (Edopistes  migratoria)  of  the 
east,  its  appearance  in  and  departure  from  a  locality  being  equally  sudden. 
We  have  often  visited  a  nut-pine  woods  and  found  it  one  day  full  of 
noisy,  roving  troops,  and  the  next  as  gloomy  and  silent  as  if  a  bird  had 
never  made  its  appearance  there.  In  fall  and  winter,  the  large  flocks, 
as  they  sweep  back  and  forth  over  the  scantily-wooded  foot-hills,  arc  sure 
to  attract  the  attention  of  a  stranger  to  the  country,  not  merely  from  their 
appearance,  but  the  more  so  from  the  fact  that  their  peculiar  piping  notes 
oi  pe' -pe* 'Whj  pe' 'pe' 'Wt^  pe^ 'pe' -w^  are  often  the  only  sound  which  breaks  the 
solitude  of  these  desolate  regions,  and  would  thus  catch  the  ear  of  the  most 
unobservant  person. 

In  its  manners,  Maximilian's  Jay  resembles  Clarke's  Nutcracker  (Pici- 
corvus)  more  than  any  other  bird,  the  chief  difference  being  its  migratory 
nature,  the  latter  being  of  very  sedentary  habits.  Most  of  its  movements 
are  quite  similar,  its  attitude  being  much  the  same  as  it  sits  upon  the 
summit  of  a  small  cedar,  quietly  reconnoitering,  while  it  also  frequently 
alights  upon  the  ground  to  pick  up  a  fallen  pine-seed  or  cedar-berry.  Its 
flight,  however,  is  strikingly  different,  being  almost  exactly  like  that  of  the 
Robin  (Turdus  migratorius) — a  gliding  flight,  with  the  wings  rather  inclined 
downward  and  the  head  raised — but  is  perhaps  rather  swifter.  The  various 
notes  have  all  a  striking  character;  the  usual  one  resembles  somewhat  the 
tremulous,  querulous  wailing  of  the  little  Screech  Owl  {Scops  asio),  but  is 
louder,  less  guttural,  and  more  plaintive,  while  another  is  something  like 
the  soft  love-note  of  the  Magpie  (Pica  hudsonica)',  besides,  there  is  the 
peculiar  piping  whistle  of  pe^-wee^  pe\  described  above,  and  usually  uttered 
during  the  migration  of  a  flock. 

The  breeding-season  of  this  bird  is  remarkably  early;  for  on  the  21st 
of  April,  before  we  had  thought  of  looking  for  their  nests,  full-grown  young 
were  flying  about  in  a  cedar  and  pinon  grove  near  Carson  City.  In  this 
grove  we  found  the  abandoned  nests,  perhaps  a  hundred  or  more  in  number, 
and  also  one  containing  young  nearly  ready  to  fly;  but  we  were  too  late  for 
the  eggs.  These  nests  were  all  saddled  upon  the  horizontal  branches,  at  a 
height  of  eight  or  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  and,  except  that  they  were 


PICA  NUTTALLI.  519 

more  bulky,  resembled  in  their  construction  those  of  the  eastern  Blue  Jay 
{Cyanura  cristatd).  The  single  nest  which  was  not  deserted  contained  four 
fledgelings,  which,  when  taken  out  for  examination  and  placed  in  our  hat, 
scrambled  out,  at  the  same  time  squalling  vociferously.  In  color  they 
resembled  the  old  birds,  but  were  of  a  duller  and  more  uniform  blue. 

List  of  specimens, 

502,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  20,  1868.  Cedars.  11|— 18|— 6^5. 
Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  deep  sepia;  interspaces  of  scutellse  and  under 
surface  of  toes,  ashy- whitish. 

503,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  20,  1868.  Cedars.  10|— 18— 5}f— 4f . 
Same  remarks. 

507,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  21,  1868.  Cedars,  llf— 19— 6|— -5^. 
Same  remarks. 


Pica  nuttalli. 

Yellow-blllcdl  Rlaippie. 

Pica  nuttalli^  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog,,  IV,  1838, 450,  pi.  362.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  578;  Cat.  N.  Am,  Birds,  1859,  No.  433.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  295. 

Pica  melanoleuca  var.  nuttalli^  CouES,  Key,  1872, 164;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  233a; 
Birds  N.W.,  1874,  212. 

Pica  caudata  var.  nuttalli,  B.  B.  &  E..,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 270,  pi.  xxxviii, 
fig.  2. 

The  Yellow-billed  Magpie  was  observed  only  in  the  Sacramento 
Valley,  where  it  was  very  abundant  among  the  scattered  oaks.  It  was 
found  in  the  outskirts  of  Sacramento  City  as  soon  as  the  first  large  oaks 
were  met  with,  moving  about  in  small  scattered  flocks,  and  incessantly 
chattering,  whether  while  on  the  wing  or  when  perched  among  the  branches; 
it  appeared  to  be  both  more  noisy  and  more  gregarious  than  the  Black- 
billed  Magpie,  which,  however,  it  greatly  resembled  in  other  respects. 
Many  nests  were  found,  but  they  were  all  in  the  tops  of  the  tallest  oaks, 
and  could  not  be  reached;  this  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  differences 
in  its  habits  from  P.  hudsonica,  which  was  found  to  invariably  build  its  nest 
in  bushes,  or,  at  most,  only  in  the  smallest  trees,  as  alders  and, cedars, 
even  where  large  trees  were  abundant;  the  dense  thickets  of  willow  and 
buffalo-berry  bushes  being  preferred  to  any  others. 


520  ORNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  specimens, 
U.Sjuv.;  Sacramento,  California,  June  20, 1867.    Oaks.    1 4|— 22— 7^5|-^1— 

Q5,$juv.;  oaks.    16|— 23|— 7|-6|— IJ— l}f— 8^6^. 

60,  <?  juv.;  Sacramento,  California,  June  20,  1867.     Oaks.     ISJ— 23— 7|— 6J— 

67,  $juv,;  oaks.     I63— 23J—7|— 6^—11— 1|— 8—64. 

68,  9  juv,;  oaks.     15^— 22f — 7J— 6^%— l^V— 1|— 8—6. 

69,  9  juv.;  oaks.     16— 23|-7^-6|— l^V^li-T^-ej. 

70,  9  juv,;  oaks.     16f— 23^— 73— C§— JJ— 1|— «— 64. 
ISJuv.;  oaks.     16^— 23f— 7J— 6^— li— 1|— Si— Of 
79JUV.;  oaks.     14-221-7 J— 6-1  ^3^1^-6^-^. 

SO  Juv,;  oaks.    16^-221-7^-64— lf^-lf^8i-6|. 

314,  i  ad.;  American  River,  Sacramento  Co.,  Cal.,  November,  1867.    (H.  G. 

Parker.)    19— (f;—8— 6^— 1^7^—^1—10^—81. 

[All  the  specimens  obtained,  with  the  exception  of  the  last,  were  immature  and 
in  molting  condition;  thus  the  measurements  given  are  of  little  importance.  In  all, 
the  bill  and  bare  orbital-region  is  pure  unshaded  yellow,  varying  little,  if  any,  with 
the  specimen,  being  of  a  deep  lemon-,  or  nearly  chrome-yellow,  the  face  more 
citreous.  The  skin  over  the  whole  body  also,  as  well  as  the  underside  of  the  claws 
(possibly  only  in  young  birds),  is  yellpw.  We  did  not  notice,  in  examining  this  species, 
the  leaden-blue  outer  ring  to  the  iris,  afterward  found  to  be  a  constant  feature  in 
P.  hvdsonica.] 

Pica  rustioa. 

Black-billed  Magpie. 

/3,  hudsonica — American  Magpie. 

{Tahf-tut  of  the  Washoes ;  Que'-tou-gih^  gih  of  the  Paiutes.) 

C-orvus  hudsonicnsj  Sabine,  App.  Franklin's  Journey,  1823,  25,  261. 

Pica  hudsonica,  BONAP.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  27.— Baibd,  B.  F,  Am,  1858, 

676;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1869,  ¥0.  432.— COOPBB,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  296. 
Pica  melanoleuca  var.  hudsonica,  CotTES,  Key,  1872, 164,  fig.  106  5  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  233a;  B.  KW.,  1874,  211.— Henshaw,  1875,  334. 
PicacaudatavsbT.  hudsonica,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872,  178. — B.  B, 

&  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  266,  pi.  xxxviii,  fig.  1. 
Pica  rustica  var,  hudsonica^  Baibd,  Orn.  Simpson's  Exped.,  1876,  380. 

The  Black-billed  Magpie  is  one  of  the  most  characteristic  birds  of  the 
Interior,  but  its  abundance  varies  greatly,  in  fact,  almost  unaccountably, 
with  the  locality ;  it  5s  also  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  birds  of  that  region, 


PICA  HUDSONIOA.  521 

being  eminently  distinguished  by  the  elegance  of  its  form  and  the  striking 
contrasts  of  its  plumage.  In  western  Nevada,  from  the  Sierras  east- 
ward to  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  it  was  one  of  the  most  abundant 
species,  but  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Great  Basin  its  entire  absence 
from  many  favorable  localities  was  noted  as  the  most  stiiking  peculiarity 
of  the  fauna.  It  was  most  abundant  in  the  rich  valleys  of  the  Truckee  and 
Carson  Rivers,  and  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada;  and, 
although  less  common,  it  was  very  far  from  rare  in  the  lower  canons  of  the 
West  Humboldt  Mountains.  It  was  resident  wherever  observed,  and  at 
all  times  was  rather  familiar  than  otherwise,  though  when  much  persecuted 
in  one  locality  it  soon  learned,  by  the  natural  shrewdness  characteristic  of 
the  family,  to  look  out  for  itself  During  the  winter  the  Magpies  resorted 
daily,  in  company  with  the  Ravens,  to  the  slaughter-houses  to  feed  upon 
the  offal. 

The  Black-billed  Magpie  is  more  or  less  gregarious  at  all  seasons,  and 
when  moving  about  usually  goes  in  small  troops,  or  loose  flocks,  which 
chatter  in  their  peculiar  manner  as  they  fly.  The  usual  note  is  a  distinct 
chatter,  unlike  the  note  of  any  other  bird  of  our  acquaintance,  but  during 
the  breeding-season  a  softer,  more  musical  note  is  frequently  uttered,  sound- 
ing somewhat  like  hay* e-ehk-hay' ,  We  did  not  detect  any  difference  between 
the  notes  of  this  and  the  Yellow-billed  species,  although  slight  differences 
may  exis*, 

LxBt  of  specimens. 

101,  $  juv.;  Camp  10,  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  July  6, 1867.  Willows.  16 — 
24i— 8|— 7— IJ— 1^ — 8g— 6J.  Bill,  slaty-black,  fading  into  ashy  on  bare  orbital  region ; 
iris,  very  dark  brown,  with  pearl-blue  outer  ring;  tarsi  and  toes,  black,  the  latter  ashy 
beneath. 

143,  S  ad,;  Camp  17,  valley  of  the  Humboldt,  August  31, 1867.  igg— 23|— .7j^— 
65-.1^5^— IJ— 10|— 8|.    Same  remarks. 

178,  S  ad,;  Camp  18,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  10, 1867.    18^—23— 

73_6^--l^— lyV— l^A— ^Tff^    Same  remarks. 

194,  9  ad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  19, 1867.  20—24— 
8^7—1^^ — 1^— llj— 9§.    Same  remarks.    Bill,  pure  black. 

204,  ?ad5.;  Camp  19,  September  21,  1867.  20—244—8,^-7—14—11—11^—91. 
Same  remarks. 

246,  ^a(Z.;  Camp  19,  October  11, 1867.  17|— 21J— 7^— 6J— If— IJ— 9J— 8.  Same 
remarks.  _ 


522  OBNITHOLOGY. 

249,  cjadf.;  Camp  19,  October  12, 1867.  19|—24J— 8— 7— 1^^—1^—111— 9f  Same 
remarks. 

289,  9  ad.;  Camp  26,  Truekee  Meadows,  November  18, 1867.  20^24i— 8J— 6if — 
1^1  jL-ii|_9|.    Same  remarks. 

290,  ?  5  Camp  26j  Truekee  Meadows,  November  18,  1867.  I9f— 24f— 8|— 7— 
(?)--(<?)— 11_9^.    Same  remarks. 

306,  $  ad.;  Camp  26,  November  20, 1867.  (Slaughter  house.)  20i— 25— 8|— 6J— 
l^Tg — l|3_ii| — 9|.^    Same  remarks. 

307,  i  ad.;  Camp  26,  November  20, 1867,  (Slaughterhouse.)  17§— 22^— 7|— 6f — 
1.^ — l^i — 9| — 8.    Same  remarks, 

338,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  November  25, 1867.  (Slaughter-house.)  18^— 
23— 7 J— 6^1|— 1 1_10 J— 8^^.    Same  remarks. 

392,  ^  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  Nevada,  January  3, 1868.  (Willow-copse.)  20— 24^— 
8j — Of.    Same  remarks. 

401,  S  ad.;  Truekee  Bottoms,  December  19, 1867.  21^25— 8^7— If— If— 13— 
11^.    Same  remarks. 

"407,  ad.;  Truekee  Bottoms,  December,  1867. 

501,  eggs  (8) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  20, 1868.    Nest  in  cedar. 

506,  eggs  (2) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  21,  1868.    Willows. 

509  (6),  510  (6),  eggs;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  22, 1868.    Willows. 

511,  egg  (1)5  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  23, 1868.  (In  nest  from  which  No,  506 
were  taken.) 

512,  egg  (1)  5  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  23,  1868.    Willows. 

513,  eggs  (4) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  23,  1868.     Willows. 

514  (8),  515  (8),  eggs ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  23, 1868.    Buffalo-berry. 
526,  eggs  (3)5  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  25,  1868.    Alder  swamp. 

538,  eggs  (9) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27,  1868.    Willows. 

539,  eggs  (9);  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    Buffalo-berry. 

540,  eggs  (9) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.     Willows. 

541,  eggs,  (7)  5  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27,  1868.    Willows. 

542,  eggs  (8) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27,  1868.    Willows. 

543,  eggs  (7) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    Buffalo-berry. 

544,  eggs  (6) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    Nut-pine. 

545,  546,  eggs  (6);  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    Willows. 

547,  eggs  (6);  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    Buffalo-berry  bushes. 

548  (4),  549  (4),  eggs;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27, 1868.    Willows. 

550  (3),  551  (2),  eggs;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27,  1868.    Willows. 

552,  eggs  (2) ;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  27,  1868.    Willows. 

566  (8),  557  (8),  eggs;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  29, 1868.    Alder-bushes. 

767,  eggs  (6);  Truekee  Bottom,  May  29, 1868.    Nest  in  willows  on  river-bank. 

[The  nest  is  in  every  instance  "domed,''  the  real  nest  being  inclosed  in  an 
immense  thorny  covering,  by  which  it  is  generally  far  exceeded  in  bulk.  In  the  side 
of  this  covering  is  a  winding  passage  leading  into  the  nest.  The  purpose  of  this  can- 
opy is  possibly  to  conceal  the  very  long  tail  of  the  bird,  which,  if  exposed,  would 
endanger  its  safety.] 


CYANUEA  FEONTALIS.  523 

CyAJ!^UEA  STELLEEL 
^teller's  Jay. 

^.  frontalis — Blue-fronted  Jay. 

{'^Mountain  Jay''^  of  Californians.) 

Cyanura  stelleri,  Baird,  B.  if.  Am.,  1858,  581  (part) Cooper,  Orn.  Oal.,  1, 1870, 

298  (part). 

Cyanura  stelleri  var.  frontalis^  EmawAY,  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  and  Arts,  V,  Jan.,  1873, 
43.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  279,  pi.  xxxix,  fig.  2. 

Cyanurus  stelleri.  b.frontalisj  CouES,  Check  List,  1873,  No.  235a;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 
215. 

We  found  this  Jay  only  among  the  pines  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  since 
it  did  not,  like  the  Nutcracker  (Picicorvus),  occur  on  the  higher  ranges  of 
the  Great  Basin,  though  it  was  represented  on  the  eastern  side  by  the  C. 
macrolopha — neither  the  latter  nor  the  subject  of  these  remarks  occurring  at 
any  point  intermediate  between  the  Sierra  and  the  Wahsatch,  along  the 
line  of  our  route.  Except  when  driven  to  the  lower  ravines  and  foot-hills 
by  the  unusual  continuance  of  cold  weather  or  by  violent  snow-storms 
upon  the  mountains,  it  was  not  observed  to  descend  to  below  the  coniferous 
woods,  though  it  was  common  in  the  lower  edge  of  this  forest-belt.  It  was 
almost  always  found  in  the  same  localities  as  Clarke's  Nutcracker,  it  being 
usual  to  see  both  species  in  one  tree ;  its  voice  seemed  also  exceedingly  like 
that  of  the  bird  just  mentioned,  being  a  series  of  rough  and  grating, 
squawking  or  screeching  notes,  very  different  indeed  from  those  of  its  east- 
ern congener,  C.  cristata,  whose  utterances  are  far  more  varied  and  flexible, 
and  even  musical  in  comparison ;  but  like  the  eastern  species  it  frequently 
imitated  other  birds,  particularly  the  Hawks,  some  of  which  it  mimicked,  on 
occasion,  quite  successfully.  The  usual  note  of  the  Blue-fronted  Jay  is  a 
hoarse  monosyllabic  squawk,  very  deep -toned,  and  grating ;  but  a  monot- 
onous chatter  is  often  heard,  consisting  of  a  rapid  repetition  of  hollow-toned 
notes,  somewhat  like  kuk,  kuk,  kuk,  kuk,  kuk,  kuk,  the  style  of  utterance 
being  comparable  to  the  ^* scythe- whetting"  call  of  the  Flickers  (Colaptes)^ 
but  much  more  sonorous  and  less  musical.  On  one  occasion  we  fired  at  an 
individual  of  this  species  in  the  top  of  a  tall  pine  tree,  and  merely  disabling 
one  wing,  its  fall  was  broken  by  the  resistance  of  the  uninjured  wing  and 
outspread  tail,  the  bird  alighting  easily  upon  one  of  the  lower  branches  of 


524  OENITHOLOGT. 

an  adjoining  tree,  when  it  began  to  ascend  by  hopping  from  one  limb  to 
another,  at  the  same  time  uttering  a  verj^  perfect  imitation  of  the  squealing 
note  of  the  Red-tailed  Hawk  (Buteo  horealis)^  apparently  Tor  the  purpose 
of  preventing  pursuit. 

On  the  24th  of  February,  1868,  during  a  protracted  period  of  extreme 
cold  weather,  with  deep  snows  on  the  mountains,  we  observed  a  pair  of 
these  Jays  in  a  shade-tree  on  one  of  the  back  streets  of  Carson  City;  but 
they  appeared  ill  at  ease  so  near  the  habitations  of  man,  skulking  about,  as 
if  afraid  of  being  seen  in  town,  and  evidently  anxious  to  return  to  their 
native  woods. 

List  of  specimens. 

321,  <J  1  ad.;  El  Dorado  County,  California.  Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker. 
12J«(!)~5g-.4H-li-lJ-5|-4f. 

322,  i  t  ad.;  El  Dorado  County,  California.  Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G,  Parker. 
125-(1)--6-45-li-lJ-.5|-3i. 

328,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  November  27,  1867.  12^17|— 6—4^—1^—1^ 
— 5| — 3J.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black  5  iris,  vandyke-brown. 

329,  $  ad.  (mate  of  preceding)  j  Carson  City,  Nevada,  November  27, 1867.  12— 
17— 5f— 4f— IJ— li— 54— 4. 

330,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  November  27, 1867.  12— 17^— 5f— 4/^— 1—1^ 
—5—3. 

445,  $  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  21,  1868.  12f— 18— 6— 5.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes, 
black ;  iris,  bister. 

477,  c?  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  30,  1868.    12— 17^6— 4J. 

497,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  April  18, 1868.  13— 18f — 6^— 5J.  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes, 
deep  black ;  iris,  bister.    [Type  of  yebr.  frontalis^  Ridgw,,  1.  c] 

498,  9  ad.  (mate  of  preceding) ;  Carson  City,  April  18, 1868.  11|_174— 5fJ— 4|. 
[Type  of  vniV.  frontalis^  Rmaw.,  1.  c] 

Cyanuba  MACEOLOPHA. 

JLon^-crested  Jay. 

Cyanocitta  maorolophaj  Baibd,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  8ci.  Pleiad.,  1854, 118. 

Cyanura  macrolophtLSj  Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  582  j  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859, 

Ko.  436.— CooPEE,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 300. 
Cyanura  stelleri  van  macrolopha,  Allen,  Bull.  Mas.  ZooL,  III,  1872, 178. — Coxjes, 

Key,  1872,  165,  fig.  107;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  235a.— B.  B.&  E.,  Hist.  N. 

Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  281,  pi.  xxix,  fig.  3.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  335. 
Oyanmra  coronata  var.  macrolophay  Eidgw.,  Am.  Journ.  Sci.  and  Arts,  V,  Jan., 

1873, 43. 

This  more  eastern  representative  of  Steller's  Jay  was  first  met  with 


CYANOCITTA  CALIFORNICA.  525 

among  tlie  pines  of  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  which  formed,  apparently,  the 
western  limit  of  its  range.  It  was  there  by  no  means  common,  but  became 
more  so  as  we  proceeded  eastward  into  the  Uintahs,  where  it  was  compara- 
tively plentiful.  In  its  habits  and  manners  it  seemed  a  perfect  counterpart 
of  C,  frontalis^  but  its  notes  appeared  to  be  less  sonorous  than  those  of 
that  form. 

List  of  sj^eeimem. 

1284,  nest  and  eggs  (6);  Parley's  Park,  June  25,  1869.  Nest  in  small  fir-tree,  in 
edge  of  woods,  saddled  on  horizontal  branch,  about  15  feet  from  ground.  .  Nest  aban- 
doned, and  several  of  the  eggs  broken. 

1373,  S  ad.;  Pack's  Canon,  Uintah  Mountains,  July  5,  18G9.  13f— 19.  Bill, 
black;  iris,  brown  j  legs  and  feefc,  black. 

1374,  nest  (of  preceding,  contained  three  fully-fledged  young).  Nest  on  mountain- 
mahogany  tree,  on  side  of  ravine  of  a  secluded  canon  in  the  pine-region,  situated  in  a 
sort  of  triple  fork,  near  extremity  of  horizontal  branch. 

1375,  i  ad.;  Pack's  Canon,  July  6,  1869.    13|— -19^    Same  remarks. 
1445,  lUejuv.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  23,  1869. 


Cyanocitta  CALIFOENIOA. 

California  Valley  Jay* 

{Yo'Shoo^'Oh  of  the  Washoes.) 

Oarrulus  caU/ornicus^  Vigors,  Zool,  Beechey's  Toy.,  1839,  21,  pi.  v. 

Cyanocitta  californica,  Strickl.,  Ann.  Mag.  XV,  1845,  342. — Baird,  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858, §84;  Cat. N.Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  437.-.COOPER,  Orn.  Cal.,  I, 
1870,302.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  288,  pi.  XJ.,  fig.  1. 

Aphelocoma  floridana  var.  calif ornica,  Coubs,  Key,  1872,  166 j  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  236b. 

Aphelocoma  floridana.  c.  calif ornica,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  219. 

The  common  ^* Valley  Jay"  of  California  was  observed  in  abundance 
only  among  the  western  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  it  was  seen 
both  in  the  brushwood  of  the  ravines  and  among  the  scattered  pines.  It 
was  also  noticed  among  the  oaks  of  the  plains,  where,  however,  it  was  less 
plentiful.  On  the  eastern  slope  it  appeared  to  be  quite  common,  at  least 
on  the  foot-hills  near  Carson  City,  where,  in  1868,  it  made  its  first  appear- 
ance toward  the  last  of  April. 


526  ORNITHOLOGY. 

This  species  may  be  instantly  distinguished  at  a  distance  from  the  C. 
woodhousii  by  the  conspicuous  contrast  between  the  pale  gray  of  the  back 
and  the  blue  of  the  wings  and  tail,  as  well  as  by  the  pure  white  lower 
parts;  the  colors  of  C,  woodhousii  being  much  more  uniform,  appearing 
almost  entirely  dull  grayish-blue,  brighter  on  the  wings  and  tail.  The 
notes,  however,  appear  to  be  much  the  same  in  the  two  species. 

List  of  specimens. 

558,  i  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  29,  1868.  Sage-brush,  below  pines.  12| 
— 16— 5J — 4^.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black;  iris,  bister. 

559,  i  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  29,  1868.  12|— 16— 5J^— 4i.  Same  re- 
marks. 

560,  ?  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  29,  1868.  11^— 15|— 5i— 4J.  Same  re- 
marks. 

Cyanocitta  woodhousii. 

l¥oodlioase's  Jay« 

(We^-ahk  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Cyanocitta  woodhousii,  Baied,  B.  N.  Am,,  1858,  585,  pi.  59^  Cat.  N.  Am.  B., 

1859,  No.  438.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  304. 
Aphelocoma  floridana  var.  woodhousii^  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  ZooL,  III,  1872, 

179.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  166 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  236a ;  B.  N.W.,  1874, 

219. 
Cyanocitta  californica  var.  woodhousii,  B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  291,  pi. 

.  XL,  fig.  3. 
Cyanocitta  floridana  var.  woodhousii,  Henshaw,  1875,  337. 

This  very  interesting  bird  we  found  to  be  the  most  generally-distrib- 
uted species  of  the  family,  since  it  occurred  on  nearly  every  range  where 
there  was  water  in  the  main  cafions,  or  extensive  woods  of  nut-pine  and 
cedar  on  the  slopes ;  it  was  said  to  occasionally  visit  the  wooded  valleys  of 
the  Truckee  and  Carson  Rivers,  but  we  never  saw  it  at  either  place, 
although  it  was  found  to  be  more  or  less  common  in  the  similar  valley  of 
the  Weber,  in  Utah.  At  our  camp  on  the  western  slope  of  the  West  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  it  was  very  abundant  in  September,  and  one  of  the  most 
familiar  birds  of  the  neighborhood.  It  was  very  unsuspicious  where  not 
molested,  and  anything  unusual  in  the  occupation  of  any  one  about  the 


CYANOOITTA  WOODHOUSIL  527 

camp  was  sure  to  excite  its  curiosity.  On  one  occasion,  while  the  writer 
was  at  work  skinning  birds  in  the  shade  of  the  bushes  overhanging  the 
stream,  one  often  came  and  perched  upon  a  branch  near  by,  quietly  watch- 
ing every  movement  with  all  the  inquisitive  curiosity  of  a  Cat-bird  (Galeo- 
scoptes  carolinensis).  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  same  range,  in  Buena  Vista 
Canon,  it  was  also  common,  and  was  there  several  times  observed  in  the 
gardens  and  door-yards  of  the  town.  It  was  also  rather  common  on  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Ruby  range,  in  the  extensive  pinon  and  cedar  woods, 
while  at  **City  of  Rocks,"  in  the  southern  portion  of  Idaho,  the  most  north- 
ern point  reached  during  our  trip,  it  was  very  numerous  in  October,  among 
the  woods  of  the  same  description.  On  the  western  foot-hills  of  the  Wah- 
satch  it  was  more  or  less  plentiful,  according  to  the  locality,  among  the 
scrub-oaks,  while  many  were  seen  in  the  valley  of  the  Weber,  It  did  not 
occur  in  Parley's  Park,  however,  the  altitude  of  that  place  being  probably 
too  great. 

In  its  manners  this  Jay  and  its  congeners  differ  strikingly  from  the 
species  of  the  genus  Cyanura,  or  the  Crested  Jays,  their  movements  calling 
to  mind  the  Mocking-hird  iMimiis  polyglottus)  and  the  Cat-bird  (Galeoscoptes 
carolinensis),  their  manner  of  flight  being  exactly  the  same,  while  they 
exhibit  a  similar  predilection  for  thickets  and  scrubby  brushwood.  The 
notes  of  the  present  species  greatly  resemble  those  of  (7.  californica,  and 
are  harsh  and  piercing  to  an  extreme  degree.  That  most  frequently  uttered 
is  a  shrill  screech,  sounding  like  we'-aJik,  we'-dhk^  whence  the  name  bestowed 
upon  it  by  the  Paiute  Indians. 

List  of  specimens, 

162,  (J  ad,;  Oamp  18,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  4,  1867.  Brush- 
wood, along  brook.  11^ — 15f — 5 — 4f — 1^^ — 1^ — 5f — 4,  Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep 
black ;  iris,  chestnut-bazel. 

186,  $  ad,;  Camp  18,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  12, 1867.    Junipers. 

12— 15j7^— 5— 4/^— l3.V-l^V-^--"ii--"3Ti-    Same  remarks. 

188,  ?  ad.;  Camp  18,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  13,  1867.  Brush- 
wood, along  brook.    12^ — 15| — 5J — 4| — Ij — 1^^ — 5g — i^^.    Same  remarks. 

242,  i  ad.;  Camp  19,  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  October  8, 1867.  Sage  brush. 
12T«g— 15JL|— 5J— 43^5— IJ— lx5._6— 4.    Same  remarks. 

1190,  jw./  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  June  19, 1869.  11  J— 15.  Bill  and  feet,  black ; 
iris,  brown. 


528  ornithology. 

Family  TYRANNIDJE — Tyrant  Flycatchers. 
Tyrannus  yerticalis. 

TFestern    Kingbird;    <' Arkansas   Flycatcher." 

Tyrannus  veHicalis^  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1823,  60.— Bairb,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  173,-  Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  126.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
312.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  170,  figs.  110a,  112;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  244; 
Birds  N.W.,  1874,  236.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  324,  pi. 
XLIII,  fig.  2.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  342. 

Generally  distributed  throughout  all  fertile  districts  of  the  west,  this 
species  was  extremely  abundant  in  favorable  localities,  this  being  especially 
the  case  at  Sacramento,  where  perhaps  no  other  species  equaled  it  in  num- 
bers. In  its  habits,  this  Kingbird  is  remarkably  similar  to  the  eastern 
species,  T,  caroUnensis,  and  their  nest  and  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished;  but 
it  is  of  an  even  more  vivacious  and  quarrelsome  disposition,  continually 
indulging  in  aerial  combate,  sometimes  to  such  an  extent  that  half  a  dozen 
or  more  may  be  seen  pitching  into  each  other  promiscuously,  but  apparently 
more  from  playful  than  pugnacious  motives.  They  are  also  of  a  very  sym- 
pathetic disposition,  for  when  a  nest  is  disturbed,  the  owners  soon  bring 
around  them,  by  their  cries,  all  the  others  in  the  neighborhood;  but  no 
sooner  do  they  assemble  than  they  begin  their  playful  contests,  and  fill  the 
air  with  their  twitterings.  Their  notes  are  all  weaker  and  less  rattling  than 
those  of  the  eastern  species,  partaking  more  of  the  character  of  a  tremu- 
lous, though  rather  shrill,  twitter. 

We  know  of  no  other  bird  so  easily  tamed,  or  which  so  thoroughly 
enjoys  the  society  and  protection  of  human  beings,  when  once  domesticated, 
as  this  species,  as  the  following  account  of  three  individuals  possessed  by 
us  in  the  field,  at  various  times,  may  show: — 

The  first  of  these  pets,  famiharly  known  to  the  party  as  **  Chippy,^' 
was  obtained  about  the  middle  of  July  from  the  Indians,  who  had  just 
taken  him,  along  with  three  others,  all  fiilly  fledged,  from  the  nest.  He 
was  carried  to  camp,  and  fed  with  grasshoppers  and  flies  until  able  to  catch 
them  for  himself,  which  he  learned  to  do  in  about  a  week  after  he  acquired 
the  power  of  flight.  The  little  fellow  had  a  most  voracious  appetite,  and 
during  the  day  continually  followed  us  about,  teasing  for  grasshoppers, 
until  he  had  eaten  enough,  after  which  he  quieted  down  for  five  minutes  or 


TYRANNUS  VERTIOALIS.  529 

so,  when  he  began  to  clamor  for  more — thus  appearing  to  be  always  hungry. 
Had  one  person  the  office  of  keeping  him  supplied  with  food  he  would  con- 
sequently have  been  extremely  troublesome;  but,  fortunately,  all  became 
interested  in  him,  and  he  thus  received  favors  and  caresses  from  all  hands. 
When  gorged  with  food,  he  usually  remained  perched  upon  the  shoulder 
of  the  one  who  carried  him,  but  sometimes  he  would  fly  off  to  his  favorite 
perch,  a  rope  running  from  the  rear  of  a  tent  to  a  stake  in  the  ground;  or, 
if  it  happened  to  be  midday  and  the  sun  particularly  oppressive,  would 
take  shelter  underneath  a  hoisted  umbrella,  hung  beneatli  the  fly  of  a  tent 
for  the  purpose  of  shading  a  thermometer,  perching  upon  one  of  the  ribs 
of  the  apparatus.  Chippy  was  the  earliest  riser  in  camp,  and  at  day- 
break his  merry  twitter  aroused  his  human  companions,  of  whom  his 
favorite  one,  the  writer,  he  would  often  awake  by  alighting  in  his  face,  for 
he  would  invariably  select  him  from  the  dozen  or  more  persons  who  lay  on 
the  ground  wrapped  in  their  blankets.  At  all  times  he  was  greatly  averse 
to  being  left  alone,  and  when  night  approached  would  nestle  more  closely 
against  one^s  neck,  twittering  contentedly  until  asleep,  and  if  removed 
exhibiting  the  greatest  disappointment,  while  he  was  often  so  persistent  in 
keeping  his  place  that  repeated  removals  were  necessary  to  induce  him  to 
remain  upon  the  roost  provided  for  him,  inside  the  tent. 

His  almost  insatiable  appetite  was  the  subject  of  comment  by  us  all, 
and  speculations  were  indulged  in  as  to  the  probable  number  of  grasshop- 
pers he  consumed  in  a  day.  It  was  finally  agreed  that  this  should  be  settled 
by  experiment,  so  each  person  was  instructed  to  keep  count  of  the  number 
he  himself  fed  him  during  the  day.  At  evening  notes  were  compared,  and 
it  was  found  that  he  had  been  fed  one  hundred  and  twenty  grasshoppers 
since  morning! 

From  the  very  first  he  was  so  completely  tame  that  he  did  not  exhibit 
under  any  circumstances  the  slightest  trace  of  timidity;  he  always  disliked 
to  be  handled,  however,  but  this  was  evidently  on  account  of  his  plumage, 
merely,  for  he  would  immediately  come  to  any  one  who  called  him,  or 
alight  upon  a  hand  held  out  as  an  invitation.  He  soon  learned  his  owii 
name,  and  knew  it  so  well  that  when  he  had  strayed  som^  distance  from 
camp  (as  he  often  did  when  led  away  by  the  temptations  of  companions 
34  p  R 


530  ORNITHOLOGY. 

of  his  kind,  who  often  visited  the  vicinity  of  our  camp  for  the  purpose), 
it  was  only  necessary  to  call  him,  and  if  within  hearing  he  was  sure 
to  leave  his  comrades  with  impolite  abruptness  and  fly  in  haste  to  camp, 
twittering  gladly  as  he  came.  The  writer  was  once  leaving  the  camp  for  a 
trip  into  the  mountains,  and  had  scarcely  reached  the  mouth  of  the  canon, 
several  hundred  yards  distant,  when  Chippy's  familiar  voice  was  heard,  and 
on  looking  back  he  was  discovered  following,  as  fast  as  his  wings  could 
carry  him,  twittering  with  all  his  might,  as  if  calling  out  for  us  to  wait  for 
him.  He  soon  overtook  us,  and,  alighting  upon  our  shoulder,  accompanied 
us  on  our  way,  every  now  and  then  flying  off  after  a  butterfly  or  other 
insect  that  had  caught  his  eye,  capturing  which  he  would  return  and  beat 
his  prey  against  the  hard  brim  of  oiu*  straw  hat  until  in  a  condition  to  be 
swallowed;  or  often  these  little  detours  were  for  the  purpose  of  sporting 
awhile  with  others  of  his  species  encountered  by  the  way,  returning  in  a 
little  while,  followed  by  them  to  within  a  few  yards,  when  they  would 
alight  on  a  branch,  apparently  wondering  at  the  perfect  understanding 
existing  between  us.  After  ascending  the  canon  to  where  the  path  became 
too  much  obstructed  by  rocks  and  brushwood  to  proceed  farther,  except 
on  foot,  we  dismounted  and  unsaddled;  Chippy  seemed  disposed  to  rest, 
so  he  was  placed  in  the  shade  of  the  saddle,  as  it  lay  upon  the  ground, 
and  we  proceeded  on  our  way.  The  little  fellow  soon  missed  us,  however, 
and  it  was  not  long  before  he  found  us  out,  by  the  report  of  our  gun — a 
sound  with  which  he  had  long  been  familiar,  and  which  he  had  not  learned 
to  fear,  the  barrel  of  our  gun  often  being  his  perch  when  he  accompanied 
us  on  our  trips,  even  the  report,  though  of  course  startling  him,  not  fright- 
ening him  from  our  shoulder.  On  several  occasions  did  the  report  of  our 
gun  prove  the  means  of  directing  him  to  us  when  he  had  strayed  beyond 
his  usual  bounds,  such  a  circumstance  once  occurring  half  a  mile  from  camp, 
after  he  had  been  missing  all  the  morning.  His  natural  fondness  for  the 
society  of  the  birds  of  his  species  living  in  the  neighborhood  did  not  have 
the  efiect  of  in  the  least  alienating  his  affections,  but  came,  nevertheless, 
near  costing  him  his  life,  the  circumstances  being  as  follows:  He  used  daily 
to  bring  his  playmates  to  the  camp,  where,  after  sporting  about  with  them  for 
a  half  hour  or  so,  they  would  all  leave  together  and  be  absent,  sometimes* 


TYEANNUS  VERTIOALTS.  531 

the  whole  afternoon,  Chip  often  not  returning  until  near  evening;  we  began 
to  fear  that  in  consequence  of  this  some  harm  might  befall  him  while  out  of 
our  sight,  or  that  some  day  he  might  fail  to  return  at  all;  so,  as  the  best 
means  of  preventing  such  a  misfortune,  we  determined  to  frighten  the  wild 
birds  away  when  they  sliould  next  make  their  appearance,  and  thus  keep 
Chip  out  of  temptation.  A  favorable  opportunity  presented  one  afternoon 
when  three  were  sporting  together  at  a  considerable  height  near  our  camp; 
and  having  just  observed  Chippy  on  his  accustomed  perch,  brought  out 
our  gun  and  fired  at  them.  Fortunately  none  were  hit,  for  one  of  them, 
which  proved  to  be  our  pet,  separated  from  the  rest  and  flew  in  terror  to 
the  camp,  screaming  with  all  his  might  We  hastened  back,  fearing  he  had 
been  injured,  and  found  him  perched  upon  a  rope,  terribly  frightened,  but 
not  at  all  hurt  His  disregard  for  firearms  was  now  at  an  end,  and  when 
we  approached  him  with  gun  in  hand  he  beat  a  precipitate  retreat,  and 
continued  to  do  so  at  every  attempt,  his  feathers  pressed  close  to  his  body 
and  his  neck  stretched — the  very  picture  of  fear.  The  moment  the  weapon 
was  laid  aside,  however,  his  confidence  was  restored,  and  he  was  then  as 
easily  approached  as  before. 

We  carried  Chippy  with  us,  as  we  moved  from  camp  to  camp,  for 
nearly  two  months  after.  Everywhere  he  excited  curiosity  and  wonder, 
even  among  the  Indians,  while  the  members  of  our  party  grew  daily  more 
attached  to  him.  One  morning,  however,  in  the  latter  part  of  September, 
we  missed  his  familiar  awakening  twitter,  and  when  we  arose  from  our 
blankets  he  could  not  be  found.  Search  was  made  throughout  the  day, 
but  without  success,  and  a  large  hawk  having  been  seen  early  in  the 
morning  hovering  about  the  place,  seemed  to  explain  the  cause  of  his  dis- 
appearance.    He  was  never  afterward  seen. 

It  was  suggested  by  members  of  the  party  that  instead  of  exhibiting 
the  docility  and  intelligence  characteristic  of  the  species,  this  bird  was  per- 
haps an  exceptional  individual,  and  that  another  could  not  be  found  which 
would  afibrd  a  parallel  case.  The  following  summer,  however,  another 
young  one  was  taken  from  the  nest,  and  being  reared  under  exactly  the 
same  circumstances  developed  the  same  traits  to  such  perfection  that  he 
would  have   absolutely  passed  for  the   same  bird.     As   happened  with 


532  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Chippy  No.  1,  the  new  pet  after  a  while  atti'acted  others  of  his  species  to 
our  camp,  and  these  soon  became  so  familiar  that  they  would  perch  upon 
the  tents,  even  during  our  presence.  One  individual  happened  to  alight 
upon  the  fly  of  the  mess-tent  wliile  we  were  at  lunch,  and  being  near 
the  edge  of  the  canvas,  and  his  shadow  showing  his  exact  position  from 
beneath,  he  was  easily  caught  This  proved  to  be  a  full-grown  bird, 
although  evidently  one  of  the  year,  and  being  placed  in  a  cage  and  sump- 
tuously fed  for  a  day  or  two,  was  released  in  Chip's  presence,  and  would 
not  depart.  He  had  become  almost  as  tame  as  his  companion,  and  remained 
with  us  until  both  were  killed  by  our  domesticated  hawks,  some  fine  speci- 
mens of  Buteo  swainsoniy  which  were  allowed  the  liberty  of  the  camp. 

Idst  of  specimens. 

15,  nest  and  eggs  (3)  5  Sacramento,  California,  June  11,  1867.    Nest  in  large 
cotton-wood  tree. 

16,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Sacramento,  June  11, 1867.    Nest  in  small  willow,  in  copse. 

17,  9  ad.  (parent  of  No.  15).    8J— UJ-^J— 4^'^— 3— |-^f — If.    Bill,  tarsi,  and 
toes,  deep  black 5  iris,  bazel. 

37,  nest  and  eggs 5  Sacramento,  June  12,  1867.    Nest  in  small  cotton- wood,  in 
copse. 

45,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Sacramento,  June  17, 1867.    Nest  on  horizontal  branch  of 
large  cotton- wood. 

46,  S  ad.  (parent  of  preceding.)    9J— 16f-6J— 4|-~3— }f--4— If.    Bill,  tarsi,  and 
toes,  deep  black ;  iris,  hazel. 

71,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Sacramento,  June  20, 1867.    Nest  in  top  of  small  oak,  in 
grove. 

1180,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  June  18,  1869,    Nest  on  small 
mountain-mahogany  bush,  overhanging  cliff. 

1181,  nests  and  eggs;  same  date  and  remarks. 

1408,  nest  J  Bear  River  Valley,  July,  1869.    [J.  0.  Olmstead.] 

Tyrannus  OAEOLINENSIS. 
lUngMrd* 

Lanim  tyrannus  var.  y  carolinensiSj  Gmel.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  302. 

Tyrannus  carolinensiSj  Temminck,  Tabl.  M6th.  — ,  24.— Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 
171;  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  124.— CooPBB,  Orn.  Oal.,  1, 1870, 311.— CouES, 
Key,  1872, 169,  pi.  ir,  flgs.  1,  2,  110b,  111 ;  Obeck  List,  1873,  No.  242  j  Birds 
N.W.,  1874,  235.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  316,  pi.  XLiii,  fig. 
4.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  341. 

In  the  rich  valley  of  the  Truckee  River,  in  western  Nevada,  two  or 


MYIARCHU8  CINBEASOENS.  533 

more  pairs  of  this  familiar  eastern  bird  had  their  abode  among  the  large 
cotton- wood  trees  near  onr  camp;  in  fact,  this  species  seemed  to  be  no  more 
rare  in  that  locality  than  the  jT.  verticalis^  which,  however,  was  itself  far 
from  common.  On  the  eastern  border  of  the  Great  Basin  it  was  more 
abundant,  being  quite  as  numerous  in  the  Salt  Lake  Valley  as  the  T.  verti- 
calls,  both  frequently  nesting  in  the  same  grove. 

List  of  specimens. 
1496,  9  jMV.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  August  10, 1869.    8^— 
14^.    Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  black ;  iris,  dark  brown. 

MyIAEOHUS  01NERAS0EN8. 

Atsh-ttaroated  FIjrcatcher. 

TyrannuU  cinerascens,  Laweenoe,  Ann,  Lye.  N.  fl.  New  York,  V,  1851, 109. 
Myiarchtis  cinerascens,  Solater,  Ibis,  1859, 121.— CoUES,  Key,  1873, 171 ;  Check 

List,  1873,  No.  248;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  239. 
Myiarchus  criniius  var.  cinerascenSj  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B,,  II,  1874,  337,  pi. 

XLUi,  fig.  6.— Henshaw,  1876,  345. 
Myiarchus  mexicanus,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 179  (not  of  Kaup)  ;  Catal.,  1859, 

No.  131.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  316. 

This  species  was  apparently  not  abundant  anywhere,  being  probably 
more  so  in  the  Sacramento  Valley  than  in  any  locality  eastward  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada.  It  was  not  noticed  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  City,  in 
June,  but  among  the  oaks  of  the  plains  toward  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierras 
it  was  common  early  in  July.  A  few  were  observed  among  the  cotton- 
woods  of  the  lower  Truckee  in  July  and  August,  and  it  was  also  a  not  infre- 
quent summer-resident  in  the  canons  of  the  Ruby  Mountains,  where  it  was 
most  often  observed  perched  upon  a  gnarled  cedar  or  mountain-mahogony 
overhanging  the  top  of  a  rocky  gorge  or  high  cliflF.  It  was  very  rare  in 
Parley's  Park. 

Resembling  its  eastern  relative,  the  Great  Crested  Flycatcher  {M.  crini- 
tus),  in  its  general  habits,  its  notes,  however,  are  weaker,  and  do  not  possess 
in  so  great  a  degree  the  strikingly  wild  character  so  marked  in  the  vehe- 
ment whistlings  of  that  species. 

List  of  specimens, 

104,  i  ad,y'  Trackee  Reservation  (Camp  12),  Nevada,  July  24, 1867.  8J— 13— .4— 
3|— J— J— 3§— 1}^^|.    Bill,  deep  black  j  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 


534  oenitholoqt. 

Sayornis  nigricans. 

Black  Pewee. 

Tyrannula  nigricans^  Swainson,  Synop.  Mex.  Birds,  Pbilos.  Mag.,  1, 1827,  367. 

Sayornis  nigricans^  BoNAP.,  Oomp.  Rend.,  XXVIII,  1854,  87. — Baibd,  B.  N.  Am., 
1858, 183;  Oat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  134.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,1, 1870,  319.— 
COUBS,  Key,  1872, 172;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  251.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.Am. 
B.,  II,  1874,  340,  pi.  XLV,  fig.  1.— Henshaw,  1875,  347. 

The  Black  Pewee  was  found  only  at  Sacramento,  where  it  was  rather 
common  about  the  out-buildings  of  habitations  near  the  river.  In  its  socia- 
ble disposition,  its  movements,  and  its  ordinary  note  of  chip^  it  reminded  ns 
exactly  of  the  eastern  S.  fuscus;  we  did  not,  however,  hear  it  utter  a  note 
similar  to  that  from  which  the  latter  receives  its  common  name,  but  judging 
from  the  extreme  similarity  of  the  other  notes,  so  far  as  heard,  consider  it 
likely  that  the  one  to  which  we  refer  is  also  uttered. 

Sayornis  sayus. 

Say's  Pewee* 

(To-que^'Oh  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Museicapa  saya,  Bonap.,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1825,  20,  pi.  li,  lig.  3. 

Sayornis  sayus,  Baibd,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  185;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  136. 
Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  320.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  172  ;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  250;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  240.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  347,  pi. 
XLV,  fig.  3.— Henshaw,  1875,  349. 

Throughout  the  country  eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  this  interest- 
ing bird  was  found  in  all  suitable  places,  though  it  was  not  abundant  any- 
where, since  it  was  seldom  that  more  than  one  pair  inhabited  a  restricted 
locality.  Its  favorite  haunts  were  the  rocky  shores  of  the  lakes  and 
rivers,  or  the  walls  of  the  lower  caiions  in  the  mountains,  where  it  built 
its  bulky  but  soft  and  downy  nest  among  the  recesses  of  the  rocks,  or, 
as  was  more  often  the  case,  upon  a  narrow  shelf  of  rock  projecting  from 
the  ceiling  or  dome  of  a  cave.  In  those  wild  localities  it  was  found  to  be 
rather  shy  in  its  disposition;  but  wherever  man  had  fixed  his  abode  upon  the 
dreary  waste  this  species  was  attracted  to  his  vicinity,  thus  assuming  the 
semi-domesticated  habits  of  S.  /metis  and  8.  nigricans^  which  it  repre- 


CONTOPUS  BOREALIS.  535 

sents  in  this  intermediate  region.  It  was  even  noticed  at  several  stage- 
stations  in  tiie  midst  of  the  Humboldt  and  Carson  Deserts,  where  no  water 
occurred  except  in  the  artificial  wells.  About  the  larger  settlements  it  was 
found  to  be  more  numerous,  and  at  Unionville,  in  the  West  Humboldt 
Mountains,  had,  with  Sialia  arctica  and  Salpinctes  obsoletus,  ta.ken  possession 
of  the  abandoned  adobe  houses  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  town.  At  this 
place  we  observed  a  nest  which  was  attached  to  the  under  side  of  the  eave 
of  a  large  stone  building,  being  apparently  built  upon  the  base  of  a  deserted 
nest  of  the  Cliff  Swallow  {Petrochelidon  lunifrons). 

While  this  species  agrees  with  its  more  western  and  eastern  represent- 
atives {S.  nigricans  and  S,  fuscus)  in  nesting-habits,  the  character  of  its 
nest  and  eg^y  its  fondness  for  rocky  localities  in  the  vicinity  of  water,  and 
in  the  readiness  with  which  it  becomes  attached  to  the  vicinity  of  dwellings, 
it  differs  from  both  in  notes,  the  usual  utterance  being  a  fine  plaintive  peer^ 
peer^  much  like  a  certain  wailing  note  of  Contopus  virens,  another  common 
note  being  a  prolonged  querulous  twitter. 

List  of  specimens. 

181,  9  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  18),  ll^evada,  September  11, 1867. 
8Jg^— 12§— 4J— 3/g — I — f— 3^— 1|.     Bill,  tarsi,  and  toes,  deep  black ;  iris,  bazel. 

456,  i  ad.;  Oarson  City,  Nevada,  March  25, 1868.  7f— 12g— 43%— 3^.  Bill,  deep 
black;  iris,  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous-black. 

457,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  25,  1868.  7}^— 12f— 4jV— 3y\.  Same 
remarks. 

762,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  Nevada,  May  23,  1868.  Nest 
attached  to  shelf  on  roof  of  cave,  oh  rocky  shore. 

764,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  east  shore  of  Pyramid  Lake,  May  25, 1868.  Nest  on  shelf 
in  cave,  among  the  tufa  domes. 

Contopus  boebalis> 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

Tyrannus  borealis,  Sw^ainson,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831, 141,  pi.  xxxv. 

Contopus  horealis,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  188 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  137— 
Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  323.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  173;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  253;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  243.— B.  B.  &E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  353,  pi. 
XLiv,  fig.  1.— Henshaw,  1875,  350. 

This  interesting  bird  was  a  rather  common  summer-resident  in  the 


536  OBNITHOLOGT. 

higher  portion  of  the  pine-belt  of  the  Wahsatch,  and  we  have  every  reason 
to  believe  that  it  is  also  found  in  similar  localities  on  the  Sierra  Nevada. 
Near  the  summits  of  the  pine-clad  hills  in  the  vicinity  of  our  camp  in 
Parley's  Park  it  was  by  no  means  rare  in  certain  parts  of  the  woods,  its 
favorite  resort  being  those  portions  of  the  forest  where  many  of  the  trees 
had  been  deadened  by  fire,  the  most  characteristic  associate  species  being 
Chrysomitris  pinus,  Carpodacus  cassini,  and  Jtmco  caniceps.  It  was  extremely 
shy,  and  could  be  approached  only  with  the  greatest  difficulty.  Attention 
was  usually  attracted  to  it  by  its  mellow  whistling  notes,  which  bore  a 
faint  resemblance  to  certain  utterances  of  the  Cardinal  G-rosbeak  {Cardinalis 
virginianus)j  the  bird  being  generally  perched  upon  the  summit  of  a  tall 
dead  pine.  One  of  the  specimens  obtained  was  secured  only  by  a  tedious 
and  difficult  climb  to  the  top  of  a  very  tall  fir-tree,  which  fortunately  began 
branching  near  the  ground,  the  bird  having  lodged  among  the  topmost 
branches.  The  first  individual  of  the  species  that  we  saw  was  perched 
quite  a  distance  ofi*,  upon  a  dead  mahogany  tree  on  the  side  of  one  of 
the  lower  caflons  of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains.  Being  the  first  example 
we  had  ever  seen,  its  appearance  struck  us  as  quite  peculiar,  as  it  sat  quietly 
in  an  upright  attitude,  but  it  was  at  last  decided  to  be  a  Shrike  {CoUurio); 
upon  returning  down  the  cafion  an  hour  or  more  afterward,  however,  it  was 
noticed  occupying  the  same  position,  but  presently  it  flew  from  the  perch 
and  snapped  an  insect  in  the  air,  when  it  returned  to  the  branch  and  beat 
it  against  the  limb  in  true  flycatcher  style. 

List  of  y)e€imen8, 

875,  i  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  21),  Nevada,  August  29, 1868.  7J 
— 13 — (!) — 3 J.  Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  dilute  brown,  more  yellowish  basally ; 
iris,  deep  sepia;  whole  interior  of  mouth,  rich  orange-yellow;  tarsi  and  toes,  sepia- 
black. 

1273,  <y  ad.;  Parley^s  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  June  23, 1869.  75—13^. 
Bill,  black,  lower  mandible  pale  wax-brown,  more  yellowish  basally,  the  tip  black; 
ifis,  brown ;  feet,  deep  black ;  interior  of  mouth,  deep  yellow. 

1423,  iad.;  Pariey^s  Park,  July  17,  1869.  7|— 13^.  Upper  mandible,  black, 
lower  wood-brown,  mora  yelli>wi8h  basally;  interior  of  moath,  rich  Indian-yellow; 
iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 


C0NT0PU8  EICHAEDSONL  537 

CONTOPUS  EICHAEDSONL^ 

Riehardsou's  Pewee. 

Tyrannula  richardsonii^  Swainson,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831, 146,  pi.  xlti,  lower 
figure. 

Contopus  richardsonii^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  189;  Cat.  F.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No. 

138.-.COOPEE,  Orn.  Cal,  I,  1870,  325. 
Contopus  virens  van  richardsonii,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  ZooL,  III,  1872, 179.— 

CouES,  Key,  1872, 174 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  255a.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist,  N. 

Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  360,  pi.  XLiv,  fig.  4.— Henshaw,  1875,  353. 
Contopus  {virens  var.  1)  richardsoniiy  CoUES,  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  247. 

Richardson's  Pewee  was  met  with  in  every  wooded  locality,  and  was 
no  less  common  at  an  altitude  of  8,000  feet,  in  the  Wq^hsatch  Mountains, 
than  at  Sacramento,  but  Httle  above  the  sea-level.  In  all  respects  except 
its  notes  and  the  character  of  its  nest,  this  species  is  a  counterpart  of  the 
eastern  Wood  Pewee  (C.  virens),  its  appearance  and  manners  being  quite 
the  same.  It  seems,  however,  to  be  more  crepuscular  than  the  eastern 
species,  for  while  it  remains  quiet  most  of  the  day,  no  sooner  does  the  sun 
set  than  it  begins  to  utter  its  weird,  lisping  notes,  which  increase  in  loud- 
ness and  frequency  as  the  evening  shades  deepen.  At  Sacramento  we  fre- 
quently heard  these  notes  about  our  camp  at  all  times  of  the  night.  This 
common  note  of  Richardson's  Pewee  is  a  harsh,  abrupt  lisping  utterance, 
more  resembling  the  ordinary  rasping  note  of  the  Night-Hawk  (Chordeiles 
popetue)  than  any  other  we  can  compare  it  with,  though  it  is  of  course 
weaker,  or  in  strength  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the  bird.  Being  most 
frequently  heard  during  the  close  of  day,  when  most  other  animals  become 
silent  and  Nature  presents  its  most  gloomy  aspect,  the  voice  of  this  bird 
sounds  lonely,  or  even  weird. 

The  nest  of  this  species,  as  is  well  known,  differs  very  remarkably  from 
that  of  d  virens,  being  almost  invariably  placed  in  the  crotch  between 
nearly  upright  forks,  like  that  of  certain  Empidonaces,  as  J5J.  minimus  and 
E.  obscurus,  instead  of  being  saddled  upon  a  horizontal  branch,  while  its 
structure  is  very  different,  the  materials  being  chiefly  plant-fibers  and 

^  With  almost  absolute  similarity  to  C.  virens^  its  eastern  representative,  in  all 
appreciable  details  of  form,  size,  and  color,  this  bird  presents  such  radical  differences 
in  notes,  accompanied  by  certain  peculiarities  of  habits,  that  we  teel  bound  to  consider 
it  a  distinct  species. 


538  ORNITHOLOGY. 

stems  of  fine  grasses,  instead  of  beautiful  lichens  and  mosses,  matted 
together  with  spiders'  webs,  and  with  but  a  slight  admixture  of  other  sub- 
stances. All  its  habits,  however,  especially  its  deportment,  are  exactly 
those  of  G.  virenSj  while  the  eggs  of  the  two  species  are  scarcely,  if  at  all, 
distinguishable. 

At  Sacramento  we  observed  in  this  bird  a  remarkable  display  of  attach- 
ment to  its  favorite  haunts,  especially  to  the  place  where  the  nest  is  built. 
The  nest  and  eggs  of  a  pair  had  been  taken  and  the  female  killed  as  she 
flew  from  the  nest ;  several  days  afterward,  upon  revisiting  the  locality, 
and  happening  to  look  up  at  the  site  of  the  former  nest,  we  were  sur- 
prised to  see  a  new  one  already  completed  in  the  very  same  spot,  the  male 
having  found  another  mate.  When  we  climbed  to  the  nest  the  male  exhib- 
ited more  than  usual  anxiety,  and  upon  retunring  the  following  day  it  was 
found  to  be  abandoned,  and  the  only  egg  it  contained  broken. 

List  of  specimens. 

12,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Sacrameato,  June  10, 1867.  Nest  at  extremity  of  broken 
clea<l  branch  near  top  of  small  oak,  in  grove. 

13,  9  ad.  (parent  of  Ko.  12) ;  Sacramento,  California,  June  10, 1867.  6^5^— loj— 
3| — 3— Y^^ — /^ — 2| — 1^.  Bill,  deep  black  above,  light-brownish  beneath,  more  yel- 
low basally,  the  point  nearly  black ;  whole  interior  of  mouth,  deep  orange-yellow }  iris, 
dark  brown  5  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

42,  nest  and  egg:^  (2)  j  Sacramento,  June  15, 1867.  iNTest  saddled  on  rather  large 
branch  of  oak,  in  grove,  about  15  feet  from  ground, 

43,  9  ad.  (parent  of  No.  42)j  Sacramento,  June  15,  1867.  64— 10— 3/^—2 fi— 
j\ — y^g — 2^ — 14.    Bill,  black,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible  dilute  brown. 

S6j  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  June  16,  1867.    Situated  like  No.  12. 

88,  nest  and  eggs ;  Sacramento,  June  24, 1867.    Same  situation. 

89,  nest ;  Sacramento,  June  24,  1867. 

898,  S  juv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  23,  Secret  Valley),  September  6, 
1868.  6J— lOJ — (!) — 2}f.  Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  clear  pale  yellow,  the  tip 
black;  iris,  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

1250,  nest  and  eggs ;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  23, 1869.  Nest  in  aspen,  20  feet 
from  ground. 

1282,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Parley's  Park,  June.  25, 1869.  Nest  in  crotch  of  dead 
aspen,  along  stream. 

1304,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.  Nest  in  crotch  of  dead 
aspen. 

1316,  nest  and  eggs  (2)  5  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.    Nest  in  dead  aspen. 

1503,  ?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  August  12, 1869.  6/^—10^.  Upper  mandible,  blacky 
lower  scarcely  paler;  interior  of  mouth,  rich  yellow ;  iris,  brown ;  legs  and  feet,  black. 


EMPIDONAX  PUSILLUS.  539 

EmPIDONAX  PUSILLUS.^ 
L.IUle  Flycatcher;  Traill's  Flycatcher. 

{Pish' -e-wah' -e-tse  of  the  Slioshones.) 

f  Platyrhynchm  pusillus,  Swainson,  Synop.  Mex.  Birds,  Philos.  Mag.,  1, 1827, 366. 
Umpidonax  pusillusy  Cabanis,  Journ.  fiir  Orn.,  1855,  480. — Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858, 194;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  141.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist  K  Am.  B., 

II,  1874,  366,  pi.  XLiv,  fig.  9. 
Empidonax  traillii  var.  pusillm^  OouES,  Key,  1872,  175;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

257a.— Henshaw,  1875,  356. 
Empidonax  traillii,  b.  pmillusj  Coues,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  252. 
Empidonax  traillii^  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  327. 

This  is  the  most  abundant  and  generally  distributed  of  the  EmpidgnaceSj 
being,  so  far  as  known,  the  only  one  of  the  genus  occurring  across  the 
entire  breadth  of  the  continent.^  It  prefers  the  lower  portions  of  the 
country,  however,  its  favorite  haunts  being  the  willows  of  the  river- valleys, 
and  we  did  not  find^t  higher  up  among  the  mountains  than  an  altitude  of 
about  7,000  feet,  where  it  was  confined  to  the  willow  thickets  bordering 
the  streams  flowing  across  the  parks.  In  the  environs  of  Sacramento  City 
it  was,  next  to  Tyrannus  verticalis,  the  commonest  of  the  Flycatchers,  and 
was  as  characteristic  of  the  willow  copses  as  Contopus  richardsoni  was 
of  the  oak  groves.  In  its  manners,  this  species  is  more  lively  than  its 
mountain  relatives,  JE,  dbscurus  and  E,  hammondi^  especially  after  sunset, 
when  they  chase  one  another  among  the  bushes,  twittering  as  they  fly, 
frequently  perching  on  a  high  twig  and  with  swelled  throats  uttering  their 
not  unmusical  note  of  twip'utawah^  which  is  translated  by  the  people 
of  Parley's  Park  as  ^^ pretty  dear,^^  by  which  name  it  was  there  familiar  to 
every  one. 

^  We  are  unable  to  appreciate  differences  between  western  and  eastern  (^HrailliV^) 
specimens  of  this  species  sufficient  to  constitute  the  latter  a  recognizable  variety.  It 
is  only  those  specimens  from  the  dryer  and  more  scantily  wooded  localities  of  the  West 
which  are  paler  and  grayer  colored  than  the  average  of  eastern  examples,  and  even 
then  the  difference  is  not  comparable  to  that  existing  between  E,  flaviventris  and  E, 
difficilis. 

*As  stated  above,  we  consider  pusillus  and  ^HrailliV^  to  be  in  every  respect 
identical,  while  we  hold  flaviventris  and  difficilis  to  be  specifically  distinct. 


540  ORNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  specimens. 

33,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Sacramento,  California,  June  12, 1867.  Nest  about  2  feet 
from  ground,  in  small  busli  in  cotton- wood  copse. 

36,  9  ad,  (parent  of  above);  Sacramento,  June  12, 1867,    6| — 8g— (1). 

83,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  California,  June  21, 1867.  Nest  about  4  feet  from 
ground,  in  small  bush  in  willow  copse. 

84,  9  ad.  (parent  of  eggs  No.  83);  Sacramento,  June  24,  1867.  5|— 8J— 2j\— 
^ — 1^6 — A — -i — H*  Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  dilute  brownish-yellow,  more 
whitish  basally;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  hazel. 

94,  nest  and  eggs;  Sacramento,  June  29,  1867.    Nest  situated  like  No.  83. 

876,  9  ad.  (parent  of  877);  Euby  Valley,  Nevada  (Camp  21),  August  29,  1868. 
5J — 8| — (!) — 2^.  Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  very  dilate  lilaceous-brown,  more 
yellowish  basally;  whole  interior  of  mouth,  rich  orange-yellow;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep 
black. 

877  Juv.;  Euby  Valley,  Nevada  (Camp  21),  August  29,  1878.  5J— 8|— (!)— 2|^. 
Upper  mandible,  plumb^usblack,  low<3r  pale  lilaceous,  more  yellowish  basally;  whole 
interior  of  mouth,  rich  orange-yellow;  iris,  purplish -bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  plum- 
beous. 

1100,  <J  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  June  4,  1869.  6|— 9|. 
Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  dilute  brown;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

1101,  9  ad>  (mate  of  preceding);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  June 
4, 1869.    6— 8f .    Same  remarks.^ 

1242,  1243,  1244,  1245,  1246,  1247;  nests  and  eggs.  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch 
Mountains,  Utah,  June  23, 1869.  Nests  among  willows  along  stream,  generally  about 
5  or  6  feet  from  ground. 

1288,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  June  25, 1869.  Nest  in  wild-rose  brier, 
among  undergrowth  of  thicket,  along  stream. 

1305,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.    Nest  in  wild-rose  brier. 

1316,  nest  and  egg  (1) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  27, 1869.    Nest  in  rosebush. 

1330,  nest  and  eggs  (4);  Parley's  Park,  June  28, 1869.    Same  remarks. 

1331,  nest  and  eggs  (3) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  28^  1869.  Nest  in  rose-bush,  under- 
growth of  willow-copse. 

1358,  nest;  Parley's  Park,  July  2, 1869.    Nest  in  rosebush,  by  stream. 

1420,  nest  and  eggs  (3);  Parley^s  Park,  July  17,  1869.  Nest  in  willows,  along 
stream. 

1469,  ^  adf.,  6|— 9|^;  1470,  9  ad.,5{l—S^',  1471,  9  ad.,5|— 8§;  1472,  9  ad.,5j^-«8f. 
Parley's  Park,  July  29, 1869.  Upper  mandible,  deep  black,  lower  light  purplish  wood- 
brown;  interior  of  mouth,  deep  yellow;  iris,  deep  reddish-brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep 
black. 

1473,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  29, 1869.  6f— 8^.  Lower  mandible,  brownish- 
white. 

1493,  ijuv.f  Parley's  Park,  August  7, 1869.    6—9. 

*  These  specimens  represent  the  absolutely  typical  "fmfnff  style. 


EMPIDONAX  OBSOURUa  541 

Empidonax  OBSCUEUS. 

Wright's  Flycatcher. 

(Yet^-to-gish  of  the  Paiutes ;  Pish'-e-wah'-e-te-tse  of  the  Shoshones.) 

f  Tyrannula  obscura^  Swainson,  Sjnop.  Mex.  Birds,  Philos.  Mag.,  I,  1827,  367. 
Empidonax  ohscurm^  Baied,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1868,  200;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1869,  l^o. 

146.— CooPEE,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  329.— -CouES,  Key,  1872,  176;  Check  List, 

1873,  No.  261 ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  258.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 

381,  pi.  XLr\r,  fig.  6.— Henshaw,  1876,  360. 
Empidonax  wrightiij  Baibd,  Birds  K  Am.,  1858, 200  (in  text).    [Name  proposed  ia 

case  Swainson's  T.  obscura  should  prove  a  different  species.] 

This  Empidonax  is  as  characteristic  of  the  mountains  as  B,  pusillus  is 
of  the  lower  valleys.  It  inhabits  both  the  aspen  groves  and  copses  of  the 
higher  canons  and  the  mahogany  woods  of  the  middle  slopes,  in  which 
places  it  is  sometimes  one  of  the  most  numerous  of  the  smaller  birds.  It 
is  probably  not  entirely  restricted  to  these  elevated  regions  during  the 
breeding-season,  however,  since  it  was  common  in  May  among  the  willow 
thickets  in  the  lower  Truckee  Valley,  while  the  first  individual  of  the  sea- 
son was  observed  in  a  cedar  and  pinon  woods  on  the  low  hills  near  Carson 
City,  on  the  21st  of  April.  In  September  we  found  it  in  the  lower  canons 
of  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  where,  as  in  other  ranges,  the  summer 
fauna  assimilated  that  of  the  river-valleys  rather  than  that  of  the  higher 
canons.  It  was  equally  common  on  both  sides  of  the  Great  Basin,  the 
only  districts  where  it  was  entirely  absent  being  those  where  the  ranges 
were  destitute  of  water  and  vegetation.  It  was  more  abundant  in  the  aspen 
copses  of  the  high  canons  of  the  lofty  Toyabe  range,  near  Austin,  than 
anywhere  else,  but  it  was  quite  plentiful  in  similar  localities  on  the  Wah- 
satch  and  Uintah  Mountains. 

The  habits  and  manners  of  this  species  much  resemble  those  of  others 
of  the  genus,  while  in  the  location  and  structure  of  its  nest,  and  the  color 
of  its  eggs,  it  resembles  very  closely  E.  hammondi  and  E,  minimus.  The 
notes,  however,  are  decidedly  distinctive,  and  but  little  like  those  of  its 
congeners.  The  ordinary  utterance  is  an  exceedingly  liquid  whit^  but  when 
the  nest  is  disturbed,  as  well  as  on  some  other  occasions,  a  plaintive  sweer 
is  uttered,  which  much  resembles  the  call-note  of  Chrysomitris  pinus,  but  is 


542  ORNITHOLOGY. 

rather  less.  loud.  We  always  found  this  little  bird  to  be  exceedingly  con- 
fiding and  unsuspicious ;  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  when  collecting  its  eggs 
on  the  Toyabe  Mountains,  an  attempt  to  catch  the  parent  bird  with  the 
hand,  as  it  sat  upon  the  nest,  proved  successful  in  nearly  every  instance. 
One  specimen  was,  on  this  occasion,  frightened  from  oflf  its  eggs  by  our 
stumbling  against  the  sapling  containing  the  nest  before  the  latter  was  dis- 
covered, and  alighted  in  another  bush  some  distance  off;  it  was  fired  at  but 
apparently  missed,  for  it  flew  and  disappeared;  we  were  therefore  consider- 
ably astonished,  upon  returning  to  secure  the  nest,  to  find  the  bird  again 
upon  her  eggs,  where  she  remained  without  making  the  least  attempt  to 
escape,  and  suffered  herself  to  be  caught,  when  it  was  found  that  several  of 
her  quill  and  tail-feathers  had  been  carried  away,  and  one  toe  cut  off,  by 
the  shot  we  had  fired. 

List  of  specimens. 

208,  i  ad.;  eastern  slope  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  21,  1867.  5}|— 
8^ — 2| — 2J — -^^ — I — 2/^ — IJ.  Upper  mandible,  uniform  deep  black,  lower  mandible 
dilute  cbrorae-yellow 5  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

508,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  21, 1868.  6^— Of— 3— 2J.  Upper  man- 
dible, black,  lower  dilute  brownish-white,  dusky  toward  end  j  whole  interior  of  mouth, 
intense  yellow;  iris,  deep  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

827,  nest  and  eggs  (4),;  828,  nest  and  eggs  (3)  ^  829,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  830,  nest 
and  eggs  (4);  831,  ne^t  and  egg  (1).  Austin,  Nevada,  July  3,  1868.  No.  827  in 
mountaiu-mahogany  bush,  on  extreme  summit  of  hill,  about  2,000  feet  above  camp, 
or  at  an  altitude  of  9,000  feet;  the  others  all  in  aspen  thickets,  and  within  reach  of  the 
hand. 

832,  ?  ad.  (parent  of  No.  S2Sj  caught  on  nest,  by  hand!)',  Austin,  Nevada,  July  3, 
1868.  51 — 8^^^ — 2| — 2^^.  Upper  mandible,  sepia-black,  lower  dilute  sepia-brown, 
yellowish  basally ;  iris,  dark  sepia ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

833,  ?  ad.  (parent  of  No.  827,  caught  on  nest,  by  hand !) ;  Austin,  Nevada,  July  3, 
1868.    64— 8|— 2|— 2^5^.    Same  remarks. 

867,  ?  juv.;  Camp  1^,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  August  10, 1868.  SJ— 8^— (t)— 
24.  Upper  mandible,  black,  lower,  with  terminal  half,  light  yellowish,  basally  more 
pinkish ;  interior  of  mouth,  lemon-yellow ;  iris,  dark  sepia ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

895,  i  ad.;  Camp  23,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  6, 1868.  5}|.— 8f— 
(!) — 2|\.  Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  dilute  brown,  paler  and  more  yellowish 
basally;  interior  of  mouth,  orange-yellow;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

896,  ?  ad.;  Camp  23,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  6, 1868.  .  5f|— 9— 
(!) — 2/^.    Same  remarks, 

897,  S  ad.;  Camp  23,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  6, 1868.  6— 9— (?)— 
2f .    Same  remarks. 


EMPIDOIsrAX  HAMMOKDL  543 

911,  ?  ad,;  Camp  23,  East  Hamboldt  Mountains,  September  8,  1868.  6J— SJ— 
(1) — 2y5^.  Upper  mandible  deep  black,  terminal  third  of  lower  deep  mahogany-brown, 
basal  portion,  with  rictus,  pale  chrome-yellow 5  interior  of  mouth,  rich  Indian  yellow; 
iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

9Ila,  9  ad,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  8,  1868.  5| — 8J-~(?)— 2^. 
Same  remarks. 

912,  9  ad,;  Camp  23,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  September  8,  1868.  55— 8f— 
(?) — 2j\.    Same  remarks. 

934,  ijuv,;  Camp  25,  Humboldt  Valley,  September  16,  1868.  55— 8f— (?)— 2|. 
Bill,  black,  basal  two-thirds  of  lower  mandible,  lilaceous-white;  iris,  very  dark  sepia; 
tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous-black.  (This  specimen  is  remarkable  for  its  pure  and  very 
light  ashy  colors.) 

940,  ?  ad.;  Secret  Valley,  Nevada,  September  6,  1867. 

1248,  1249,  nests  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah  Territory, 
June  23,  1869.    ^NTests  in  aspencopse. 

1281,  nest  and  ^ggs  (4) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  25,  1869.  Nest  in  crotch  of  dead 
aspen,  along  stream. 

1334,  nest  and  eggs;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.    Nest  in  aspens. 

1336  (4),  1337  (3),  nests  and  eggs ;  Parley's  Park,  June  28, 1869.    Nests  in  aspens. 

1353,  nest  and  eggs  (4) ;  Parley?8  Park,  June  28, 1869.    Nest  in  service-berry  bush. 

1515,  9  jtiv.;  Parley's  Park,  August  16, 1869.  6--9.  Lower  mandible,  pale  pink- 
ish. 

Empidonax  hammondi. 

Hammond's  Flycatcher. 

Ttfrannula  hammondiij  Xantus,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1858,  117. 
Empidonax  hammondi^  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 119,  pi.  76,  fig.  1 ;  Cat,  N.  Am.  B., 

1859,  No.  145.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  330.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  176; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  260;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  257.— B.  B.  &  R,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B., 

ir,  1874,  383,  pi.  XLiv,  fig.  7.— Henshaw,  1875,  362. 

This  delicate  little  Flycatcher  was  not  met  with  anywhere  as  a  summer 
resident,  but  during  its  autumnal  migration  was  found  to  be  very  common 
on  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains.  It  inhabited  exclusively  the  aspen- 
groves  and  copses  of  tall  alders  and  willows  in  t^e  higher  canons,  and 
seemed  to  keep  in  the  darkest  and  most  secluded  places.  The  only  note 
heard  was  a  soft  pit 

List  of  specimens, 

893,  S  «<?•;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada  (Camp  22),  September  6, 1868. 
5j-_8J — 2/^— 2y3g — |--y»g — 24— (1).  Upper  mandible,  deep  black,  lower  dilute  brown, 
the  edge,  with  rictus,  orange-yellow ;  iris,  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

894,  i  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  23),  September  6,  1868.  5J— 8|— 
(!) — 2/5.    Same  remarks. 


544  OBKITHOLOGY. 

908,  9  ai.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  23),  September  8,  1868.  5^— 8J— 
2^.    Lower  mandible,  rich  brown. 

909,  S  ad,;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  23),  September  8, 1868.  65—8^^— 
(!) — 2/^.    Lower  mandible,  with  rictus,  wood-brown. 

910,  S  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Oamp  23),  September  8, 1868.  Sf— 85— 
(f)— 2y^^.    Same  remarks. 

EmPIDONAX  DIPFIOILIS.^ 
ITestern  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher* 

Empidonax  difficilis^  Baird,  B.  F.  Am.,  1858, 198  (in  text)  5  ed.  1860,  pi.  76,  fig.  2 ; 

Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  144a. 
Bmpidonax  flaviventris  var.  dijfficilis,  ALLEN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872, 179. 

— CouES,  Key,  1872, 176  (in  text).— B,  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 380. 

— Henshaw,  1875,  362. 
Empido7uix  Jlaviventris,  b.  difficilis,  COUES,  B.  N.W.,  1874,  256. 
Empidonax  flaviventris^  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  328. 

This  species  was  the  rarest  of  the  Empidonaces  met  with  by  us,  a  few 
only  being  seen  in  the  pine  forests  high  tip  on  the  Wahsatch  Mountains, 
and  a  still  smaller  number  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  At 
the  former  place  a  few  pairs  were  found  in  July  and  August,  and  when 
observed  were  usually  perched  upon  a  dead  twig,  sitting  in  a  nearly  ver- 
tical position,  the  tail  constantly  jerked  to  one  side.  The  only  note  heard 
was  a  distinct  chip,  much  like  that  of  the  Yellow-rump  Warbler  {Dendroeca 
coronata). 

List  of  specimens. 

1490,  i  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  August  6,  1869.  6— 94. 
Upper  mandible,  black,  lower  lilaeeous-white ;  iris,  deep  reddish  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes, 
purplish- black. 

1491,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  August  5, 1869.   5J— 8§. 
Same  remarks. 

^  It  is  with  little  hesitation  that  we  consider  this  bird  as  distinct  specifically  from 
E»  Jlaviventris.  Not  only  are  there  very  conspicuous  and  constant  diflferences  in  pro- 
portions and  colors  (especially  the  former),  but  numerous  observers  have  noticed 
remarkable  and  important  peculiarities  in  the  nesting-habits,  the  present  species 
almost  invariably  building  its  nest  in  cavities,  either  of  stumps,  trees,  or  rocks,  or  on 
beams  inside  of  buildings,  a  habit  not  yet  noticed  in  E,  JtaviventriSy  nor,  indeed,  in  any 
other  species  of  the  genus.  [See  Cooper,  Proc.  Cal.  Acad.  Sciences,  December  6, 1875, 
who,  however,  is  mistaken  in  supposing  that  "  the  differences  in  the  two  races  seem 
to  be  wholly  in  shades  of  color  and  size,  and  not  in  i)roportion8,  as  formerly  supposed."] 


ceryle  aloyon— pious  hareisi.  545 

Family  ALCEDINIDJE— K^gfishbrs. 
Ceryle  alcyon. 

Belted  King^flsher. 

{Tafum-pahl/feoi  the  Washoes;  Tsanfak-mik'ket-ah  of  the  Paiutes;  Pang'we- 

diin'oh-moo  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Alcedo  alcyon^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1,  1766,  180. 

Ceryle  alcyon,  BoiE,  Isis,  1828,  316.— Baird,  B.  K  Am.,  1858,  158 ;  Cat.  IT.  Am. 

B.,  1859,  117.— Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  I,  1870,  337.— CouES,  Key,  1S72,  188; 

Pheck  List,  1873,  No.  286;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  273.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B., 

II,  1874,  392,  pi.  XLV,  fig.  6.— Henshaw,  1875,  366. 

The  common  Kingfisher  was  found  in  the  vicinity  of  all  streams  and 
lakes  containing  fish.  In  the  lower  valleys  it  was  resident,  but  in  the 
mountains  was  found  only  in  summer. 

List  of  specimens, 

292,  <?  ad.;  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  18,  1867— 14— 23|— 6f— 5f— 
2^ — § — 4 — If.  Bill,  black,  more  slaty  bas«nlly,  where  clouded  with  pale  ash}^ ;  iris, 
dark  vivid  vandyke-brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  livid  brownish-black,  more  bluish  on  the 
knees  and  adjoining  part  of  the  tibiae. 

1452,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  July  26,  1869.  12^—22^  Bill,  black,  the 
rictus  and  basal  portion  of  lower  mandible  pale  ashy  ;  iris,  rich  dark  brown;  tarsi  and 
toes,  dark  plumbeous-sepia  in  front,  purplish  salmon  pink  behind  and  beneath. 

1492,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  August  7,  1869.  141—22^.  Same  remarks  as  to  the 
preceding. 

Family  PICID^— Woodpeckers. 

PiCUS   HAERISl. 
Harris's  W^oodpecker* 

{Kahsoo'te  of  the  Washoes;    Wahpe' -pannah  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Picus  harrisii,  AUDUBON,  Orn.  Biog.,  V,  1839, 191,  pi.  417.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  87;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No,  75.— Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  I,  375. 

Picus  villosus  var.  harrisiiy  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872, 180.— CouBS, 
Key,  1872,  194;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  298a.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
Birds,  II,  1874,  507.— Henshaw,  1875,  386. 

This  perfect  counterpart  of  the  Hairy  Woodpecker  of  the  East  (P. 
villosus )  was  met  with  throughout  the  year  in  all  wooded  localities,  from  the 
35  P  B 


546  OENITHOLOGY. 

Sien-a  Nevada  eastward.  It  was  equally  common  in  the  forests  of  Con- 
iferae  and  among  the  broad-leafed  or  deciduous  trees.  The  notes  and 
habits  are  in  all  respects  identical  with  those  of  its  eastern  representative. 

List  of  specimens. 

364,  9  ad,;  Truckee  Keservation,  December  19,  1867.  9^— 15— 5— 4y\— 1|— }i 
— 3| — If.    Bill,  slaty  horn-color;  iris,  burnt-sienna;  tarsi  and  toes,  plumbeous  green. 

372,  S  ad.;  Truckee  Reservation,  December  21, 1867.  9f — 16f — 5/^ — 4,^  Bill, 
greenish-slate,  darker  terminally;  naked  orbital  region,  similar,  but  paler;  iris,  reddish- 
brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dark  slaty-green. 

373,  <J  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    9f — 16| — 5j\ — 4|.    Same  remarks. 

438,  g  ad,;  Carson  City,  March  10,  1868.  9f--15J— 5J — 4^.  Ucotent  of  tongue 
beyond  end  of  bill,  2J  inches;  its  corneous  tip,  pale  plumbeous. 

1435,  Sjuv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  21, 1869.  10—17,  Bill,  dark  slate;  iris,  burnt- 
sienna;  tarsi  and  toes,  cinereous. 

1512,  ?  ad,;  Parley's  Park,  August  16,  1869.    9§— 17. 

Note. — The  two  latter  specimens,  besides  being  larger  than  those  from  western 
Nevada,  are  also  more  spotted  with  white  on  the  wings,  thereby  showing  an  approach 
to  P.  villosus. 

Pious  gaiedneel 

Oairdner'8  Woodpecker. 

Picus  gairdneri,  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Y,  1839,317.— Baird,  Birds  N.Am.,  1858, 
91;  ed.  1860,  pi.  S5,  figs.  2,  3;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  76.— Cooper, 
Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  377. 

Picus  pubescens  var.  gairdnerij  COUES,  Key,  1872,  194;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  299a. 
— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  512.— Henshaw,  1875,  388. 

Picus  pubescens.  b.  gairdneri,  CouES,  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  282. 

We  found  this  bird  to  be  unaccountably  rare  in  all  portions  of  the 
country,  even  where  its  larger  cousin,  P.  harrisi,  abounded;  indeed,  it  was 
seen  at  only  two  localities  along  the  entire  route,  a  very  few  being  found 
in  September  among  the  thickets  by  one  of  the  streams  flowing  from  the 
lofty  Clover  Mountains  into  the  Upper  Humboldt  At  Parley's  Park  two 
families  of  young  were  met  with,  on  separate  occasions,  in  July  and  August, 
but  we  did  not  succeed  in  obtaining  specimens.  At  the  former  locality  they 
were  feeding  on  the  fruit  of  Crataegus  rivulariSy  in  company  with  many  other 
species  of  birds.  In  all  respects,  both  as  to  habits  and  voice,  this  bird  seems 
to  be  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  Downy  Woodpecker  (P.  pubescens)  of 
the  East. 


PIOUS  NUTTALLI— p.  ALBOLARV^ATUS-  547 

List  of  specimens, 

925,  $  ad.;  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  25,  Deeriug's  Creek),  IS'evada,  Sep- 
timber  12,  1868.  7— ISJ— (?)— S^'.,  Bill,  pure  slate;  iris,  burrituniber;  tarsi  aud  toes, 
ochraceous  olive-green. 

935,  $  ad.;  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (Oaojp  25,  Deeriug's  Creek),  Kevada,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1868.    6^12J— (?)— 34. 

PiCUS    KUTTALLI. 

IVuuairs  Woodpecker* 

Picus  nnttalli,  G  ambel,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  I,  1843,  259.— Baird,  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858,  93;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  78.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
378.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  521,  pi.  l,  figs.  3,  6. 

Picus  scalaris  var.  nuttalli,  Coues,  Key,  1872, 193;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  297a. 

Among  the  scattered  oaks  of  the  Sacramento  plains  we  found  this 
Woodpecker  to  be  very  common,  but  met  with  it  nowhere  else.  It  was 
particularly  abundant  where  the  oaks  attained  a  large  size,  and  formed 
more  extensive  groves,  nearer  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  Its 
manners  were  very  much  those  of  the  Downy  Woodpeckers  (P.  pubescens 
and  P.  gairdneri),  but  the  notes  were  entirely  different,  the  usual  one  con- 
sisting of  a  very  prolonged  rattling  call,  quite  unHke  that  of  any  other 
bird  with  which  we  are  acquainted.^ 

Pious  albolaeyatus. 

White-lieadcd  IToodpecker. 

Leuconerpes  alholarvatusy  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Soi.  Pliihul.,  1850,  166. 

Picus  albolarvatus^  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  i85S,  96;  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  81. 
—Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  382.— Ooues,  Kl^y,  1872, 192 ;  Che(».k  List,  1873, 
No.  295.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  526,  pi.  l,  figs.  7,  8. 

In  the  dense  forests  of  lofty  and  massive  coniferae  which  cover  the 
slopes  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  this  Woodpecker  was  found  all  the  year  round. 
It  was  first  met  with  in  July,  on  the  western  slope,  at  an  elevation  of  about 
5,000  feet;  it  was  the  most  abundant  Woodpecker  of  the  locality,  and  was 
almost  constantly  seen  sporting  about  the  tops  of  the  tall  dead  pines,  usually 

^  In  several  localities  in  western  Nevada  we  heard,  on  different  occasions,  similar 
notes,  but  they  turned  out  to  be  those  of  one  of  the  Passeres,  and  a  species  which 
we  are  not  able  to  identify,  unless  it  may  be  Phwmfiepla  nitens.    (See  page  447.) 


548  ORNITHOLOGY. 

out  of  gunshot  range.  On  the  eastern  slope,  it  was  common  near  Carson 
City  throughout  the  winter,  keeping  entirely  among  the  pines,  though  some- 
times coming  down  to  the  lower  edge  of  the  woods. 

,  The  appearance  of  the  White-headed  Woodpecker  is  very  striking,  on 
account  of  the  bold  contrast  between  the  white  head  and  neck  and  the 
uniform  black  of  the  rest  of  the  plumage — the  white  patch  on  the  primaries 
showing  conspicuously  only  when  the  bird  is  flying.  In  its  habits  it  resem- 
bles the  larger  ^^Sapsuckers"  (P.  viUosus  and  P.  harrisi),  except  that  it  is  more 
lively  in  its  disposition,  in  which  respect  it  approaches  quite  nearly  to  the 
playful  Melanerpese.  Its  notes,  however,  are  quite  distinctive,  for  although 
they  bear  some  resemblance  to  the  clear,  sharp  diph  of  the  species  above 
mentioned,  the  call  forms  a  connected  series  of  these  notes,  each  ending  in  a 

rather  suppressed  twitter. 

List  of  specimens. 

435,<Jad;  Carson  City,  March  10,1868.  9/^— 15f— 5jV-^i'  Bill,  uniform  slate- 
black  5  iris,  (lull  carmitie ;  tarsi  and  toes,  olivaceous-slate.  Tongue  protrudes  ^of  an 
inch  beyond  the  end  of  the  bill ;  its  corneous  tip  white.    [See  under  P.  harrisi,  p.  546.^] 

436,  ?  ad.  (mate  of  No.  435).    93^15§— 5J— 4|.    Same  remarks. 

527,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  April  25, 1868.    9^— 16J— 5f^ — 4f . 

528,  i  ad.;  Carson  City,  April  25,  1868.    9|— 15|— SyV-^j^. 

529,  9  ad.  (mate  of  No.  528).    8}^15^5— 4^3^. 

PiCOIDES  AECTICFS. 
Black-backed  Three-toed  IToodpecker. 

Fieus  fApternusJ  arcticus^  Swainson,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  313,  pi.  57. 

Picoides  arcticus^  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  II,  184-,  434,  pi.  108,  fig.  7. — Baied,  B. 
K  Am.,  1858,  98;  Cat.  K  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  82.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
384.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  194;  Check  List,  1873,300;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  284.— 
B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  11,  1874,  530,  pi.  l,  fig.  1. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  seen  was  the  one  obtained.     It  was 

engaged  in  hammering  on  the  trunk  of  a  dead  pine  tree,  near  the  foot  of 

the  mountains. 

List  of  specimens. 

409,  ?  ad,;  pines  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson  City,  February  19,  1868.  9J 
— 15^ — 5^\— -4J.    Bill,  slate-color;  iris,  burnt-sienna;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  slate. 

'Professor  Baird  has  proposed  for  this  species  the  generic  or  subgeneric  term 
Xenopicus  (Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  p.  83),  which,  in  view  of  certain  marked  structural 
differences  from  typical  Picus^  it  may  in  future  be  deemed  advisable  to  adopt. 


sphyrapicus  ruber— s.  kuchalis.        549 
Sphyrapicus  ruber. 

Red-breasted   Woodpecker* 

Pieus  ruber,  Gmeltn,  Syst  N^at,,  I,  178S,  429. 

Sphyrapicus  ruber,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  104;  Oat.  N,  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 

87.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  392,— Ooues,  Key,  1872,  195;  Check  List, 

1873,  No.  303. 

Sphyrapicus  varius  var.  ruber,  Ridow.,  Am.  Jouru.  Sci.  &  Arts,  V,  Jan./ 1873,  40. 

— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  544,  pi.  li,  fig.  6. 
Sphyrapicus  varius.  c.  ruber,  OouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  286. 

The  Red-breasted  Woodpecker  was  observed  only  on  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  chiefly  on  the  western  side  of  that  range;  we  are  not  even  certain 
of  its  occurrence  on  the  eastern  slope,  but  it  is  our  impression  that  we  saw 
it  once  among  the  pines  near  Carson  City,  but  the  occasion  was  not  such 
as  to  afford  a  satisfactory  opportunity  to  identify  the  individual  in  question.^ 

Sphyrapicus  nuchalis. 

Red-napcd  liFoodpecker. 

{QiJb' um-ah' 'Utz  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Sphyrapicus  varius  var.  nuchalis,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  103  (in  text). — B.  B. 
&  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  542,  pi.  lt,  figs.  3,  4.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 
I,  390.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  195^  Check  List,  1873,  No.  302a.— Henshaw, 
1875,392. 

Sphyrapicus  nuchalis,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  921;  ed.  1860,  pi.  xxxvj  Oat. 

N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  86. 
Sphyrapicus  varius.  b.  nuchalis,  CoUES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  286. 

Throughout  the  country  between  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  the  Red-naped  Woodpecker  is  a  common  species  in  suitable 
localities.  Its  favorite  summer-haunts  are  the  groves  of  large  aspens  near 
the  head  of  the  upper  canons,  high  up  in  the  mountains,  and  for  this  reason 
we  found  it  more  abundant  in  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  region  than 
elsewhere;  indeed,  but  a  single  individual  was  observed  on  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  and  this  one  was  obtained  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  range,  near 

^  It  has  recently  been  obtained  by  Mr.  Henshaw  on  the  eastern  slope,  near  Lake 
Tahoe. 


550  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Carson  City.  It  was  very  rare  throughout  western  Nevada,  but  became 
abundant  as  we  approached  the  higher  mountains  in  the  eastern  portion  of 
the  State.  Among  the  aspen  groves  in  Parley's  Park,  as  well  as  in  similar 
places  throughout  that  portion  of  the  country,  it  was  by  far  the  most  abun- 
dant of  the  Woodpeckers;  and  it  seemed  to  be  as  strictly  confined  to  the 
aspens  as  S.  thyroideus  was  to  the  pines.  Its  nest  was  almost  invariably 
in  a  living  tree,  into  tlie  soft  wood  of  which  it  bored  with  the  greatest  ease, 
the  excavation  being  at  nearly  all  heights  between  eight  and  thirty  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  almost  invariably  in  the  trunk  of  the  tree.  Both 
parents  incubate  and  feed  the  young. 

In  its  general  manners,  this  species  is  quite  a  counterpart  of  the  eastern 
Red-throated  Woodpecker  (&  varius),  but  its  notes  are  quite  appreciably 
different,  the  whining  utterance  so  characteristic  of  all  the  species  of  the 
genus  being  less  plaintive,  while  we  heard  other  notes  which  we  never  knew 
the  eastern  bird  to  utter. 

List  of  specimens. 

490,  ?  ad.;  Carson  City,  l^evada,  April  4,  1868.  Pines.  8^— 15^— 5J— .4f .  Bill, 
black  ;  iris,  dark  bister ;  tarsi  and  toes,  olive-cinereous. 

936,  ?  juv.;  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  25),  September  18,  1868.  8f — .15|— 
(?) — 4|.    Bill,  dark  sepia-slate 5  iris,  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  olive-plumbeous. 

938,  S  ctd.;  Thousand  Spring  Valley  (Camp  27),  September  23,  1868.  8|— -15^— 
(?) — 4§.  Bill,  pure  slaty-drab;  iris,  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  greenish  olive-cinere- 
ous. 

1355,  <J  ad.;  Parley  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  1,  1869.  8f— 15f. 
Bill,  deep  black ;  iris,  brown ;  feet,  greenish-ashy. 

1356,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  July  1,  1869.  8f— 16. 
Same  remarks.    [Stomachs  of  both  specimens  filled  with  ants.] 

1422,  <J  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  17,  1869.  8f— 15f .  Bill,  purplish-black ;  iris, 
brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  slaty-olive. 

1429,  ?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  19,  1869.  8i--15i.  Bill,  black;  iris,  brown; 
tarsi  and  toes,  olivaceous  blue. 

1436,  (?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  21,  1869.  8|— 15f.  Bill,  black;  iris,  umber; 
tarsi  and  toes,  dull  light  blue. 

1438,  ^  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  22,  1869,  8— 15f.  Bill,  black;  iris,  brown; 
legs  and  feet,  olivaceous-blue. 

1439,  ?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  22, 1869.    8J— 15J.    Same  remarks. 

1440,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  22, 1869.    8— 14§.    Same  remarks. 

1448,  i  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  23,  1869.    84—15.    Bill,  dark  purplish-brown. 


SPHYRAPICUS  THYROIDEU8.  551 

Sphyrapicus  THYROIDEUS 

Brown«lieaded  IfVoodpecker;  IVIIIIamsoiiN  Woodpecker. 

PicMs  thyroideus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Pbilad.,  1851,  349. 

Sphyrapicus  thyroideus^  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  106 ;  Catal.,  1859,  No,  89. — 
Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  394.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  195;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  304;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  288.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874, 
547,  pi.  LVI,  fig.  6  (*^ <?"-=?  with  red  streak  on  throat!).— Henshaw,  Am. 
Nat.,  1874,  242  [Identity  of  thyrouleus  and  ^'  unlliamsonV^  demonstrated  J; 
Wheeler's  Rep.,  1875,  394. 

Picus  williamsoni,  Newberry,  Pacific  R.  R.  Rep.,  VI,  1857,  89,  pi.  xxxiv,  fig.  1 
(young  S  ,  or  adult  6  with  red  of  throat  destroyed  by  action  of  alcohol ;  for- 
merly supposed  to  be  ?!). 

Sphyrapicus  williamsoni,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  105  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859, 
No.  88.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal,  I,  1870,  393.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  195;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  305.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  11,  L874,  545,  pi.  li, 
fig.  5. 

The  discovery  of  the  astonishing  fact  that  the  Brown-headed  Wood- 
pecker {8.  thyroideus,  Cass.)  and  Williamson's  Woodpecker  {S.  williamson% 
Newb.)  are  female  and  male  of  the  same  species,  is  due  to  the  field-obser- 
vations of  Mr.  H.  W.  Henshaw,  the  accomplished  ornithologist  of  Lieutenant 
Wheeler's  expedition;  the  fact  being  first  announced  in  1874,  in  an  article 
in  the  American  Naturalist  (Vol.  VIII,  p.  242).  A  suspicion  that  the  two 
might  eventually  prove  to  be  different  plumages  of  one  species  several 
times  arose  in  our  mind  during  the  course  of  our  field-work,  the  chief 
occasion  for  which  was  the  very  suggestive  circumstance  that  both  were 
invariably  found  in  the  same  woods,  and  had  identical  manners  and  notes, 
while  they  also  agreed  strictly  in  all  the  details  of  form  and  proportions, 
as  well  as  in  the  bright  gamboge-yellow  color  of  the  belly.  Our  theory 
that  thyroideus  was  perhaps  the  young^  and  ivilliamsoni  the  adult^  proved 
erroneous,  however ;  and  it  never  occurred  to  us  that  the  differences  might 
be  sexual,  an  oversight  caused  chiefly  by  the  circumstance  of  our  having 
seen  in  collections  many  specimens  of  thyroideus  with  a  red  streak  on  the 
throat  and  marked  as  males,  while  the  type  specimen  of  williamsoni  had  a 
white  streak  on  the  throat  and  was  said  to  be  a  female.  We  were  thus 
entirely  misled  by  the  erroneous  identification  of  the  sex  in  these  speci- 


552  OENITHOLOGY. 

mens.  We  gave  the  matter  up,  however,  only  after  shooting  a  very  young 
specimen  of  what  was  undoubtedly  williamsoni^  and  another  of  thjroi- 
deuSj  both  of  which  very  closely  resembled  the  adults  of  the  same  forms, 
a  circumstance  which  at  once  convinced  us  .that  the  differences  could  not 
depend  on  age ;  so  we  finally  concluded  that  the  two  must  be  distinct. 
Now,  however,  that  Mr.  Henshaw  has  so  satisfactorily  explained  the  case, 
we  have  no  hesitation  in  indorsing  his  opinion. 

We  found  this  species  both  on  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  in  the  Wahsatch, 
and  it  is  probable  that  its  range  extends  throughout  the  entire  Western 
Region.  It  is  confined  to  the  coniferous  forests,  however,  so  that  its  dis- 
tribution is  governed  greatly  by  local  conditions.  It  appears  to  be  con- 
stantly pinicoline,  since  it  was  a  winter  resident  among  the  pines  near  Car- 
son City,  while  it  was  found  in  summer  among  those  of  the  Wahsatch,  in 
Parley's  Park.  Excepting  the  circumstance  of  its  being  so  strictly  confined 
to  the  coniferous  forests,  it  resembles  the  other  species  of  the  genus  in  habits 
and  manners,  while  the  notes  appear  to  be  only  very  slightly  different;  the 
latter  are  finer  and  less  plaintive,  however,  than  in  nuchalis  or  varitis,  and 
uttered  in  more  detached  syllables.  The  female  of  this  species  presents 
when  flying  a  very  close  resemblance  to  the  species  of  CenturuSj  the 
plumage  being  similarly  barred  with  black  and  white,  while  a  distinct 
white  area  is  presented  on  the  lower  portion  of  the  ramp.  The  first  male 
killed  (No.  331)  had  the  bill  thickly  coated  with  the  resinous  juices  of  the 
pine  trees  among  which  it  had  been  feeding. 

List  of  specimens, 

331,  ^J  ad,;  pines  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson  City,  iSTorember  27,  1867. 
9|— 19—5J — 4^ — 1 — §— 3J — If.  Bill,  deep  purplish  sepia-slate;  iris,  chestnut;  tarsi 
and  toes,  ashy-olive. 

332,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  November  27, 1867.  9^— 16f~5|— 4f-.}f~W— 
3| — If.    Bill,  deep  brownish-slate ;  iris,  reddish- vandyke ;  tarsi  and  toes,  ashy-olive. 

437,  9  ad.;  Carson,  March  10,  1868.  94—16^— 5|-.4f.  Bill,  dusky  purpliwh- 
slate;  iris,  umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  light  ashy-green.  (Tongue  protrudes  ^  of  an  inch 
beyond  hill;  its  corneous  tip  color  of  bill.) 

1486,  Sjuv,;  Parley's  Park,  August  5,  1869.  9J— 15J.  Bill,  black;  iris,  dark 
brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  greenish-ashy, 

1513,  9  jMV,;  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah,  August  16, 1869. 


MELANERPES  FORMICIVORUS— M.  TORQUATCJS.  553 

Melanerpes  FORMICIVORUS. 

California  IVoodpecker. 

Picus  formicivomsy  Swainson,  Synop.  Birds  Mex  ,  Philos.  Mag.,  F,  1827,  439. 

Melanerpes  formicivorus,  Boistap.,  CoDsp.,  1, 1850, 115.— Bairb,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 
114;  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  95.— Cooper,  Orn.  Oal.,  1, 1870,  403.— CoUES, 
Key,  1872, 197;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  310.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II, 
1874, 566,  pi.  Liii,  figs.  1,  2.— Henshaw,  1875, 399. 

This  handsome  Woodpecker  was  observed  only  among  the  oaks  in  the 
Sacramento  Valley,  where  it  sported  among  the  trees  along  with  Yellow- 
billed  Magpies  and  Valley  Jays  (Cyanocitta  californica).  We  had  no  oppor- 
tunity to  observe  its  habits  closely. 

Melanerpes  torquatus. 

I^ewis^s  Woodpecker. 

Pious  torquatus^  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  llf,  1811,  31,  pi.  30,  fig.  3. 

Melanerpes  torquatus,  Bonap.,  Cousp.,  1, 1850, 1 15. — Bairb,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858, 115; 
Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  9G.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 406.— B.  B.  &  R., 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874, 561,  pi.  liv,  fig.  5.— Henshaw,  1875,  397. 

Asyndesmus  torquatus,  Coues,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1866, 56 ;  Key,  1872, 197; 
Check  List,  1873,  No.  311 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  291. 

This  very  remarkable  Woodpecker  was  found  along  the  entire  route, 
from  Sacramento  eastward,  but  only  in  certain  widely-separated  localities. 
It  prefers  the  scattered  trees  of  plains,  or  the  mere  edge  of  the  denser 
forests,  and  was  consequently  found  most  abundantly  among  the  oaks  of 
the  Sacramento  Valley  and  the  scattered  pines  along  the  eastern  base 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  None  were  seen  among  the  cotton-woods  of  the 
Truckee  or  Carson  Rivers,  while  only  a  few  were  noticed  among  the  very 
large  aspens  in  the  lower  canons  of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  as  well 
as  in  similar  groves  along  the  streams  of  the  Upper  Humboldt  Valley. 
None  were  observed  in  the  Wahsatch  or  Uintah  Mountains,  nor  in  the  Salt 
Lake  Valley.  We  cannot  account  for  this  apparent  irregularity  of  its  dis- 
tribution, which  is  somewhat  parallel  to  the  case  of  Pica  hudsonica  in  the 
same  region. 

In  its  general  habits  and  manners  this  beautiful  species  resembles  quite 
closely  the  eastern  Red- headed  Woodpecker  (M.  erythrocephalus),  being 


554  ORNITHOLOGY. 

quite  as  lively  and  of  an  eqiially  playful  disposition.  Some  of  its  actions, 
however,  are  very  curious,  the  most  remarkable  of  them  being  a  certain 
elevated  flight,  performed  in  a  peculiar  floating  manner,  its  progress  appa- 
rently laborious,  as  if  struggling  against  the  wind,  or  uncertain,  like  a 
bird  which  had  lost  its  course  and  become  confused.  At  such  a  time  it 
presents  the  appearance  of  a  Crow  high  in  the  air,  while  the  manner  of  its 
flight  is  strikingly  similar  to  that  of  Clarke's  Nutcracker  (Picicorvus  colum- 
bianus — see  page  516).  After  performing  these  evolutions  to  its  satisfaction, 
it  descends  in  gradually  contracting  circles,  often  to  the  tree  from  which  it 
started. 

When  a  nest  of  this  species  in  an  oak  tree  was  disturbed,  the  parents 
were  observed  to  alight  upon  a  large  horizontal  branch,  and  now  and  then 
cautiously  look  over  at  the  intruder,  at  the  same  time  uttering  a  faint  rattling 
or  twittering  note.  When  frolicking  among  the  trees  the  notes  of  this 
species  are  a  faint  shrill  scream  and  a  rattling  twitter,  somewhat  like  the 
notes  of  M.  erythrocepJialus,  but  much  weaker. 

List  of  specimens, 

76^  $  ad.;  Sacramento  City,  California,  June  22, 1867.  lOJ— 20J— 0|— 5J— IJ— f 
— 3J — If.    Bill,  deep  purplisbslatej  iris,  deep  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  ashy-blue. 

77,  9  ad.  (mate  of  No.  76) ;  same  locality  and  date.  10}f~20|~-6/^— 5J— lf_— | 
— 3| — 1  J.    Same  remarks. 

661,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  29,  1868.  llf — 21|— 7— 55.  Bill,  black  ; 
iiis,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  olivaceous-blue. 

924,  S  ad.;  Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  24),  September  12,  1868.  llf— 21J 
— (!) — 5||.  Bill,  slate  black,  deeper  terminally;  iris,  burnt-sienna;  tarsi  and  toes, 
rather  dark  ashy. 

Melaneepes  ERYTHROCEPHALUS. 

Bed-headed  l¥eedpecl£er. 

Pious  erythroeephahtSy  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  174. 

Melanerpes  erythrocephalus,  Swainson,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  316. — Baird, 

Birds  K  Am.,  1858,  113;  Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  94.— Cooper,  Orn. 

OaL,  I,  1870, 402.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  196 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  309 ;  Birds 

N.W.,  1874,  290,— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  564,  pL  Liv,  fig. 

4.— Henshaw,  1875,  398. 

A  single  individual  of  this  common  eastern  species  was  seen  near  Salt 
Lake  City  in  June,  1869,  the  one  in  question  being  observed  among  the 


COLAPTES  MEXICANUS.  555 

willows  along  the  stream  flowing  from  Parley's  Park.  Eastward  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  as  far  west  as  Laramie,  it  was  abundant  about  the  tele- 
graph-poles along  the  railroad. 


COLAPTES  MEXICAmJS. 

Red-shafted  Flicker. 

{Tetsum!  of  the  Washoes;  Ah' soo-pannah  of  the  Paiutes;  Gooe-nee' -utz  of  the 

Shoshones.) 

Colaptes  mexicanus,  Swainson,  Synop.  Mex.  Birds,  Philos.  Mag.,  I,  1827,  440. 
Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 120;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  98.— Cooper,. 
Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  408.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  198;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  314; 
Birds  N.W.,  1874,  294.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  11, 1874,  578,  pi. 
LV,  figs.  3,  4.— Henshaw,  1875,  400. 

Being  the  most  abundant  and  generally  distributed  of  the  Wood- 
peckers, this  species  was  found  in  all  wooded  localities;  and  though  it 
appeared  to  be  rather  partial  to  the  deciduous  trees  of  the  lower  valleys, 
it  was  far  from  rare  among  the  pines  of  the  mountains,  excepting  in  the 
denser  portions  of  the  forest.  As  to  its  general  appearance,  habits,  and 
notes,  it  is  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  eastern  Yellow -shafted  Fhcker  ((7. 
auratus),  its  notes  especially  being  absolutely  undistinguishable;  indeed  so 
great  is  the  similarity  between  the  two  species  that  the  western  bird  is 
almost  universally  known  as  the  ^*  Yellow  Hammer"  by  the  people  of  that 
country,  notwithstanding  there  is  not  a  yellow  feather  in  its  plumage.  It 
appeared  to  be  far  more  shy  than  the  eastern  species,  however,  and  we 
always  found  it  difficult  to  secure,  except  when  a  heavy  growth  favored  a 
near  approach.  This  wildness  may  be  partly  accounted  for  by  the  eager- 
ness with  wliich  these  handsome  birds  are  sought  by  the  Indians,  who 
highly  prize  the  tail  and  quill-feathers  as  ornaments  for  their  head-dresses. 

List  of  specimens, 

103,  S  jnv.;  Truckeo  Eeservation  (Camp  12),  Nevada,  July  24,  1867.  13— 20|— 
H — H — 1§ — 5 — ^4 — ^h  ^^^h  brownish-black  5  iris,  chestnut;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale 
livid  blue. 


556  ORNITHOLOGY. 

12C,  c?  juv,;  Oainp  12,  August  1,  1867.  13J— 20J— 6xV-5|— 1^^— |— 4J— S^V 
Same  remarks. 

241,  $  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  19),  October  8,  1807.  13—21— 
(>J — 5y\— 1^— }|— 4^ — 2^.  Bill,  slate-black,  deeper  terminally;  iris,  deep  chestnut; 
naked  eyelids,  tarsi  and  toes,  fine  pale  lilaceous-blue. 

357,  S  ad,;  Truckee  Reservation,  December  18, 1867.  13J— 21— 6f— 5|— IJ-i— 
1 — 5 — 2^.    Iris,  deep  cherry-red. 

363,  $  ad.;  Truckee  Reservation,  December  19,  1867.  14— 2if~7— 5^— 1|— 1— 
5 — 24.    Same  remarks. 

374,  ^  ad.;  Truckee  Reservation,  December  21, 1867.  13|— 21^— 6§— 5f .  Same 
remarks. 

391,  i  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  January  3,  1868.  13J— 21— 6i|— 5f.  Same  re- 
marks. 

393,  ?  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  January  4,  1868.     123— 20i— 6|— 5/^. 

461,  (J  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  28,  1868.     13^22— 6}f—5f. 

462,  (?  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    13^22— 6§—5f. 

481,  ?  ad.;  same  locality,  March  30,  1868.     13^— 211— 6^5|i^. 

'^36,  eggs  (5);  Truckee  Reservation,  May  1 7, 1868.  Excavation  in  a  small  willow, 
on  bank  of  the  river. 

1345,  S  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,'  June  28,  1869. 

1428,  ^jw.;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  July  19,  1869.  12^20^.  Bill,  slate-black; 
iris,  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  light  ashy-blue. 

COLAPTES   HTBRIDUS/ 

«' Hybrid"  Flicker. 

Colaptes  ayresii,  Audubon,  Birds  Am.,  VII,  1843,  348,  pi.  494. 
Colaptes  hybridus,  Baird,  Birds  K  Am.,  1858,  122;  Cat.  K  Am..  Birds,  1859, 
No.  98a.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  582,  pi.  Liv,  fig.  3. 

List  of  specimens. 

400,  (J; -Washoe  Valley,  January  4,  1868.     13— 20f— 6|— 5f. 

[General  appearance  of  typical  mexicanus^  having  ashy  throat  and  scarlet 
<^ moustaches,"  but  occiput  with  a  distinct  scarlet  crescent,  and  the  red  of  the  remiges 
and  rectrices  inclining  decidedly  to  orange.] 

^  Whether  the  puzzling  specimens  included  under  this  name  are  really  hybrids,  or 
whether  they  are  remnants  of  a  generalized  form  from  which  two  "incipient species" 
have  become  differentiated,  must  long  remain  an  open  question.  The  latter  view,  how- 
ever, seems  the  more  rational ;  and  it  is  altogether  probable  that  this  **  hybrid"  series 
is  gradually  losing  its  neutral  character,  through  the  nearer  approach,  generation  by 
generation,  of  its  members  to  the  characters  of  one  or  the  other  of  the  two  specialized 
forms.  [For  a  full  and  very  sensible  discussion  of  this  subject,  see  Coues's  Birds  of 
the  Norihw€s%  pp.  293,  294.] 


COLAPTES  AUEATUS.  557 

COLAPTES  AUEATUS? 
Yellow-shafted  Flicker. 

Cucnlus  auratus,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I  (ed.  10),  1758,  112. 

Colaptes  auratus,  Swains.,  Zool.  Jouru.,  ILE,  1827,  353.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  118;  Catal.  N.  Ara.  B.,  1859,  No.  97.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  197;  Check 

List,  1873,  No.  312;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  292. 

Early  in  October,  1867,  we  saw  near  Unionville,  in  the  West  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  a  Flicker  which  had  bright  gamboge-yellow  shafts  to  the 
quills  and  tail-feathers.  It  flew  from  the  brushwood  of  a  ravine  close  by, 
and  was  followed  over  the  hills,  from  rock  to  rock,  through  the  sage-brush 
and  across  fields,  and  from  one  ravine  to  another,  for  nearly  an  hour,  until 
it  finally  disappeared.  It  was  so  extremely  shy  that  we  found  it  impossible* 
to  get  within  fair  gunshot  range,  but  several  shots  were  risked  at  it,  one  of 
which  brought  several  feathers,  which  on  examination  were  found  to  be 
pure,  bright  gamboge-yellow,  without  the  faintest  trace  of  orange.  On  the 
22d  of  November  following,  a  similar  individual  was  seen  among  the  willows 
along  the  Truckee  River,  at  the  Glendale  Meadows;  but  being  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  stream,  it  could  not  be  obtained.  Whether  these  birds  were 
the  typical  eastern  O,  auratus  or  0,  chrysoides^  of  the  southern  portion  of  the 
Middle  Province,  we  cannot,  of  course,  be  sure;  but  geographical  consid- 
erations render  the  former  more  probable.  It  is  almost  certain  they  were 
not  specimens  of  C,  hybriduSj  since  the  latter  is  seldom,  if  ever,  without 
more  or  less  of  an  orange  tinge  to  the  wings  and  tail.''^ 

^  Oeopieus  chrysoides^  Malherbe,  Rev.  et  Mag.  Zool.,  IV,  1852,  553. 
Colaptes  chrysoides^  Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  125;  Oat.  N.  Am.  "Birds,  1859, 
No.  99.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  410.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  198;  Check  List,  1873, 
No,  313.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  583,  pi.  Liv,  figs.  1,  2. 

^In  the  "Ornithology  of  California,''  page  412,  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper  mentions  two 
specimens  from  Oakland,  near  San  Francisco,  "  which  are  evidently  of  the  form  hyhri- 
dus,  Baird,"  one  of  which  "differs  from  the  auratus  only  in  having  the  head  grayish 
like  meMcanus  and  the  blaclc  of  the  cheek-feathers  tipped  with  redJ*^ 


558  ornithology. 

Family  CUOULID^— Cuckoos, 
cocoyzus  americanus, 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

CuculuH  americanm^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766, 170. 

Coccyzus  americanus,  Bonap.,  Obs.  Wils.  Orn.,  1825,  No.  47.--CouES,  Key,  1872, 

190,  fig,  126;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  291 ;  B.  N.W.,  1874,  275. 
Coceygus  americanus,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  185S,  76;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  69. — 

CooPEB,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  371.— -B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  477, 

pi.  XLViii,  fig.4  (^'3''  err.).--HENSHAW,  1875,  386. 

The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  was  so  often  seen  or  heard  durmg  our 
sojourn  in  the  West,  that  we  cannot  regard  it  as  a  particularly  rare  bird  in 
certain  portions  of  that  country.  At  Sacramento  City  its  well-known  notes 
were  heard  on  more  than  one  occasion  in  June,  among  the  oak  groves  in 
the  outskirts  of  the  city,  while  across  the  Sierra  Nevada  several  individuals 
were  seen  in  July  in  the  wooded  valley  of  the  lower  Truckee. 

Family  TROCHILIDJl— Humming-birds. 
Calypte  ann^. 

Anua's  Hninmer* 

Ornismya  annay  Lesson,  Oiseaiix  Mouches,  1830,  pi.  oxxiv. 

Athis  annay  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  137  ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  105. 

Calypte  annw,  Gould,  Introd.  Trochilidse,  1861,  88.— B.  B.  &  R  ,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B., 

1874,  454,  pi.  XLVII,  fig.  7.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  375. 
Selasphorus  anna,  CouES,  Key,  1872, 185 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  279. 
Calypte  anna,  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  358. 

This  beautiful  Hummer  was  found  only  at  Sacramento  City,  where  it 
was  rare,  or  at  least  far  less  common  than  the  Trochilus  alexandri  We  did 
not  see  enough  of  it  to  detect  anything  distinctive  in  its  habits. 

List  of  specimens. 

10,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Sacramento  City,  California,  June  9, 1867*  Nest  at  extrem- 
ity of  a  small  dead  twig,  underneath  lower  branches  of  small  oak,  in  grove. 


TEOGHILUS  ALEXANDRI-SELASPHORUS  BUPU8.  559 

Trochilus  ALEXANDRI. 

Black-chinned  lluifinier. 

(Soong-ooh' -eh  oi  the  Paiutes.) 

Trochilus  alexandri^  Bouroier  &  Mulsant,  Ann.  de  la  Soc.  d'Agric.  de  Lyons, 
IX,  1846,  330.— Baibd,  B.  N.  Ara.,  1858,  133;  ed.  I860,  pi.  44,  fig.  3;  Cat.  K 
Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  102.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  353.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 
184;  Check  List,  1873,  276.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  450,  pi. 
XLVir,  fig.  1.— Henshaw,  1875,  373. 

This  was  the  only  Hummer  which  was  encountered  along  every 
portion  of  our  route,  in  the  proper  localities,  it  being  equally  common  at 
Sacramento  City  and  among  the  mountains  of  Utah,  as  well  as  at  favorable 
intermediate  points.  Since  we  found  it  in  the  Wahsatch,  where  it  was  asso- 
ciated with  Selasphorus platycercus,  among  the  flowery  meadows  of  the  higher 
slopes,  it  will  be  seen  that  its  vertical  range  during  the  breeding-season 
extends  through  fully  9,000  feet  of  altitude.  At  Sacramento  it  nested  in 
the  oak  groves  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where  it  was  apparently  more 
numerous  than  Calypte  anncc;  while  in  the  Interior  it  was  equally  common  in 
the  river- valleys  and  on  the  higher  slopes  of  the  mountains.  In  its  habits  it 
appeared  to  be  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  eastern  Ruby-throat  (T.  colubris). 

List  of  specimens » 

776,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Truckee  Reservation,  June  1,  1868.  Nest  attached  to 
dead  twig  of  grease- wood  bush,  on  river- bank. 

777,  S  ad.  (parent  of  the  preceding).  3f|— 4f— (?)— Ig.  Bill,  black;  iris,  deep 
sepia ;  tarsi  and  toes,  black. 

1285,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  25,  1869.  Kest  on  branch  of  scrub- 
oak,  in  a  grove. 

1352,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  28, 1869.  3J — 4|.  Bill,  black ;  iris,  very 
dark  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  purplish  black. 

1483,  Sjuv.;  Parley^s  Park,  July  30,  1869.    3^— 4f .    Same  remarks* 

Selasphorus  rufus. 

Rufous  Ilumnier. 

(Soong-ooh'-eh  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Trochilus  rufus,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  497. 

Selasphorus  rufuSy  Swainson,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  324. — Baibd,  B.  K.  Am., 
1858, 134;  Cat.  F.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  103.— Cooper,  Orn.  OaL,  1, 355.— .OouES, 
Key,  1872,  185 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  277.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B,,  II, 
1874,  459,  pi.  XLVii,  fig.  4.— Henshaw,  1875,  375. 

Among  the  sun-flowers  (Helianthus  gigantem  ?),  which  covered  acres  of 


560  ORNITHOLOGY. 

ground,  in  the  rich  valley  of  the  lower  Truckee,  this  was  the  only  species  of 
Humming-bird  found  in  August,  jat  which  time  great  numbers  were  seen 
sporting  in  all  their  elegance  and  beauty  among  these  flowers ;  they  dis- 
played the  greatest  activity  and  grace  of  motion,  and  were  ever  restless  and 
moving,  now  chasing  each  other,  then  hovering  in  front  of  a  golden  flower  ^ 
for  a  few  moments,  then  off  like  a  flash.  Upon  revisiting  the  same  locality 
in  May  and  June  of  the  following  season,  not  one  of  this  species  was  to  be 
found,  its  place  being  apparently  entirely  taken  by  the  Black-chinned  spe- 
cies [Trochihis  alexandri).  We  next  saw  the  Eufous-backed  Hummer  in  the 
fertile  canons  of  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  where  it  was  more  or  less 
common  in  October.  Eastward  of  the  latter  locality,  the  species  was  seen 
only  in  Secret  Valley,  near  the  northern  extremity  of  the  East  Humboldt 
range,  where  it  was  much  more  rare  than  S,  platycercus^  this  point  being 
the  most  eastern  to  which  it  is  known  to  extend,  so  far  as  we  are  at  pres- 
ent aware.  It  was  not  found  during  the  breeding-season  anywhere  along 
our  route. 

List  of  spechnens. 

124:,  $  juv,;  Truckee  ReservatioQ,  Nevada,  August  6,  1867.  3||— 4^— -IJ— 1^— 
H — 1^5 — ^ — I-     ^^11  ^^d  feet,  black  ;  iris,  dark  brown. 

905,  S  juv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Gamp  23),  September  8, 1868.    3§— 4y7_ 

Selasphorus  platycercus. 

Broad«tailed  Hummer. 

{Pe* -esh-a-tse  d^ndi  Toowith! -e-kim' -hooah  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Trochilus  platycercus,  Swainson,  Synop.  Mex.  Birds,  Philos.  Mag.,  I,  1827,  441. 

Selasphorus  platycercus,  Bonap.,  Consp.,  1, 1850,  82. — Baird,  B.  K  Am.,  1858, 135, 
922;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  104. -^Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 357.— Coues,  Key, 
1872,  185;  Check  List,  1873,  JC^To.  278;  Birds  KW.,  1874,  271.— B.  B  &  R., 
Hist.  K.  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  462,  pi.  xlvii,  fig.  5  — Henshaw,  1875,  377. 

In  traveling  eastward  across  the  Great  Basin,  we  first  encountered  the 
Broad-tailed  Hummer  on  the  Ruby  Mountains,  where  it  was  very  abundant 
in  July  and  August,  on  the  flower-covered  slopes  of  the  upper  cafions  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  range,  in  company  with  Stellula  calliope;  in  Septem- 
ber we  found  it  associated  with  the  latter  species  and  Selasphorus  rufus  in 


SELASPHORUS  PLATYCEECUS^  561 

the  northern  continuation  of  the  same  range  (the  East  Humboldt  Jlount- 
ains),  while  on  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintahs  it  was  found  still  more  abun- 
dantly throughout  the  summer  in  company  with  TrocJiiltis  alexandrL  The 
distribution  of  Humming-birds  being  governed  by  the  presence  or  absence 
of  tracts  where  a  profusion  of  flowers  flourish,  this  species  is  consequently 
mainly  confined  to  the  higher  slopes  of  the  mountains ;  but  whenever  a 
portion  of  the  lower  valleys  is  made  to  bloom  by  irrigation,  this  Hummer 
soon  finds  it  out  and  at  once  appears.  Under  such  circumstances  its  vertical 
range  is  very  great,  amounting,  in  one  instance  which  came  under  our 
observation,  to  fully  6,000  feet;  for  one  morning  we  killed  a  specimen  near 
the  ranche  in  Ruby  Valley,  and  later  during  the  same  day,  when  we  had 
ascended  to  the  summit  of  one  of  the  highest  peaks,  which  towered  to 
nearly  12,000  feet,  a  single  individual  buzzed  past  us. 

The  flight  of  this  Humming-bird  is  unusually  rapid,  and  that  of  the  male 
is  accompanied  by  a  curious  screeching  buzz,  while  it  is  followed  through 
an  undulating  course.  Long  before  the  author  of  this  curious  sound  was 
detected  its  source  was  a  mystery  to  us.  This  shrill  screeching  note  is 
heard  only  when  the  bird  is  passing  rapidly  through  the  air,  for  when  hov- 
ering among  the  flowers  its  flight  is  accompanied  by  only  the  usual  muffled 
hum  common  to  all  the  species  of  the  family.  During  the  nesting-season 
the  male  is  of  an  exceedingly  quarrelsome  disposition,  and  intrepid,  proba- 
bly beyond  any  other  bird,  the  Flycatchers  not  excepted.  All  birds  that 
approach  the  vicinity  of  his  nest,  whether  they  be  his  own  species  or  of  the 
size  of  hawks,  are  immediately  assaulted  with  great  force  and  pertinacity  by 
this  seemingly  insignificant  little  creature,  the  vigor  of  whose  attacks,  accom- 
panied as  they  are  by  the  shrill  piercing  noise  we  have  mentioned,  invariably 
puts  to  flight  any  bird  assaulted.  We  have  thus  seen  the  Western  Kingbird 
{Tyranmis  verticalis)^  the  Black-headed  Grosbeak  {Eedijmeles  melanocephalus^ 
and  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  {Nisus  fuscus)  beat  a  hasty  retreat  before 
the  persevering  assaults  of  this  Humming-bird.  When  thus  teasing  an 
intruder  the  Httle  champion  ascends  almost  perpendicularly  to  a  consid- 
erable height,  and  then  descends  with  the  quickness  of  a  flash  at  the  object 
he  would  annoy,  which  is  probably  more  frightened  by  the  accompany- 
ing noise  than  by  the  mere  attack  itself  As  we  chanced,  while  hunting 
36  PR 


562  OKNITHOLOGT. 

on  the  mountains,  to  pass  tlirough  the  haunts  of  this  Hummer,  it  frequently 
happened  that  one  of  the  little  creatures,  prompted  apparently  by  curiosity, 
would  approach  close  to  us  and  remain  poised  in  one  spot,  its  wings  vibra- 
ting so  I'apidly  as  to  appear  as  a  mere  haze  around  the  body;  now  and 
then  it  would  shift  from  one  side  to  another,  its  little  black  eyes  sparkling 
as  it  eyed  us  intently.  So  close  would  it  finally  approach  that  to  strike  it 
with  the  hat  or  a  stick  seemed  to  be  quite  an  easy  matter,  but  upon  the 
slightest  motion  on  our  part  the  little  thing  would  vanish  so  quickly  that 
its  direction  could  scarcely  be  traced. 

On  the  mountains  we  found  many  nests  of  this  Humming-bird,  every 
one  of  them  being  discovered  by  frightening  the  female  from  off  her  eggs 
or  young.  They  were  variously  situated,  most  of  them  being  in  the  scrub- 
oaks  on  the  slopes  of  the  hills ;  many  were  in  willows  or  other  bushes  bor- 
dering the  streams,  and  not  a  few  on  drooping  twigs  of  cotton-wood  trees, 
along  the  water-courses.  One  of  those  which  we  secured  (No.  1377)  affords 
good  evidence  of  the  possession  by  this  bird  of  a  high  degree  of  instinct,  if 
not  an  approach  to  reason.  This  nest  was  built  upon  a  dead  twig  of  a 
small  cotton- wood;  the  bark  of  this  twig  gradually  loosened,  and  after  the 
eggs  were  laid  slipped  around  (perhaps  by  the  parent  bird  alighting  upon 
one  edge  of  the  nest),  so  tHat  the  nest  was  turned  round  to  the  under  side 
of  the  limb  and  the  eggs  thrown  out.  Instead  of  abandoning  this  nest, 
however,  the  sharp  little  owners  built  an  addition  to  it,  making  another 
complete  nest  on  the  upper  side,  which  was  now  secured  in  position  by  the 
superior  weight  of  the  more  bulky  pendant  one.^ 

List  of  specimens, 

9G3,  S  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  20, 1869,  (City  Creek  Canon).  4--45.  Bill  and 
feet  black  ;  iris,  dark  sepia. 

1042,  $  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  24, 1869.  4—5.    Same  remarks. 

1054,  i  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  26,  1869.  4^4if .    Same  remarks. 

1064,  cj  ad,;  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29,  1869.  4— 4i|.    Same  remarks. 

1272,  ?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  23,  1869.  4^5^?-.  (CaugUt  ia  a  tent  during  a 
hard  shower.) 

1311,  ^ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.  4. 

/In  Gould's  Introduction  to  the  Trochilidce  {[mga  20)^  it  is  stated  that  certain  South 
American  Hummiug-Birds  adjust  the  equilibrium  of  their  nests  by  weighting  the 
lighter  side  with  a  small  stone  or  bit  of  hard  earth  I 


STELLULA  CALLIOPE.  563 

1312,  S  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.    4. 

1319,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Parley^s  Park,  June  26, 1860.  Nest  on  drooping  branch 
of  a  cotton-wood  tree,  by  a  stream. 

1332,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.  Kest  on  bush,  along 
stream. 

1333,  nest ;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.  Nest  on  drooping  branch  of  a  cotton- 
wood  tree,  by  stream. 

1348,  $  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869. 

1349,  $ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869. 

1350,  S  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28, 1869. 

1351,  (J  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869. 

1366,  nest  and  eggs  (2) ;  Uintah  Mountains  (Pack's  Caiion),  July  3, 1869.  Nest 
in  a  sage-bush. 

1377,  nest ;  Pack's  Canon,  July  7, 1869.  Nest  on  dead  twig  of  a  small  cotton- 
wood. 

1437,  $  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  21, 1869. 

1411,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  July  23, 1869.  Nest  among  willows,  along 
stream. 

1442,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  same  date  and  remarks. 

1449,  ?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  23,  1869. 

Stellula  calliope. 

Calliope  Hmnnier. 

Troehilus  calliope,  Gould,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1847, 11. 

Stellula  calliope,  Gould,  Introd.  Trochilidae,  1861,  90.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  T, 

1870,  363.— COUES,  Key,  1872;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  282.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  445,  pi.  XLVII,  fig.  9.— Henshaw,  1875,  372. 

On  the  flowery  slopes  of  the  Ruby  and  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  at 
an  altitude  of  7,500-10,000  feet,  this  little  Hummer  was  abundant  in 
August  and  September,  in  company  with  Selasphorus  platycercus ;  the  habits 
and  appearance  of  the  two  species  being  so  much  alike  that  we  never  knew 
which  was  before  us  until  the  specimen  was  secured.  The  range  of  the 
species  is  doubtless  almost  universal  throughout  the  Basin,  like  that  of  Tro- 
ehilus alexandri  and  Selasphorus  rufus. 

List  of  specimens* 

869,  9  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  19),  August  12,  1868.  3x^—4^— 
(!) — If.    Bill  and  feet,  black  j  iris,  very  dark  brown.    * 

882,  Sjuv.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  21),  August  29, 1868.  3}|--4f|— 
(?) — 1|.    Same  remarks. 

904,  9  ad.;  Secret  Valley  (Camp  22),  September  7, 1868.  3  J— (!)— (!)--lxV  Same 
remarks. 


564  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Family  CYPSELIDiE— Swifts. 
Panyptila  saxatilis. 

irtiite-tliroated  l^wlfl. 

Acanthylis  saxatilis,  Woodhouse,  Sitgreaves'  Rep.,  1853,  G4. 

Panyptila  saxatilis,  CouES,  Key,  1872,  182;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  209;  Birds 

N.W,,  1874,  265.— Henshaw,  1875,  370. 
Cypselus  melanoleucus,  Baird,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1854,  118. 
Fanyptila  melanoleuca,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  141  j  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1850, 

No.  107.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  347.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds, 

II,  1874,  424,  pi.  XLV,  fig.  5. 

We  first  noticed  this  singular  bird  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1868,  on 
the  Toyabe  Mountains,  near  Austin.  A  single  individual  only  was  observed 
at  that  place,  the  one  in  question  passing  rapidly  by,  as  if  bound  for  some 
distant  locality;  the  direction  of  its  course  was  southward,  where  the  peaks 
of  the  range  are  more  lofty  and  precipitous,  so  it  is  probable  that  in  favor- 
able portions  of  these  mountains  the  species  mp.y  have  occurred  in  abund- 
ance. Upon  arriving  at  the  Ruby  Mountains,  a  little  later  in  the  same 
month,  we  found  it  extremely  numerous  about  the  high  limestone  cliffs 
which  formed  the  walls  of  the  canons  leading  back  from  our  camp.  At 
this  place  they  literally  swarmed,  and  were  associated  with  smaller  numbers 
of  PetrocheUdon  lunifrons  and  Tachycineta  thalassina,  both  of  which  nested 
among  the  same  rocks.  It  was  afterward  seen  in  City  Creek  Canon,  near 
Salt  Lake  City,  but  it  was  not  abundant  there. 

The  appearance  of  this  bird  calls  to  mind  at  first  sight  the  Chimney 
Swifts  {Chcetura  pelagica  and  C.  vauxi)  on  a  large  scale,  or  NephoeceteSj  but 
it  has  more  conspicuous  colors,  and  more  active  and  varied  manners ;  the 
deeply-forked  tail,  and  the  abrupt  contrast  between  the  black  and  white 
areas  of  its  plumage  distinguishing  it  at  a  glance  from  all  other  North 
American  Swifts.  It  was  our  frequent  amusement  to  clamber  half-way  up 
a  cliff,  or  to  where  farther  progress  was  impossible,  and,  hidden  among  the 
rocks,  watch  the  movements  of  these  extraordinarily  active  birds.  Every 
few  moments  a  pair  would  rush  by  with  such  velocity  as  to  be  scarcely 
seen,  one  chasing  the  other,  and  both  uttering  a  sharp  rattling  twitter. 
Another  pair  would  collide  high  up  in  the  air,  and,  fastening  upon  each 


NEPHCEOBTES  BOREALIS.  565 

oilier  with  their  strong  claws,  come  whirling  to  the  ground,  just  before 
reaching  which  they  would  loosen  their  clutches  and  separate,  or  after 
again  ascending  resume  the  struggle.  Others  hovered  around  overhead,  and 
without  seeming  aware  of  our  presence,  entered,  now  and  then,  the  small 
horizontal  fissures  in  the  overhanging  cHff  to  their  nests,  which  were  utterly 
inaccessible. 

Specimens  of  this  bird  were  extremely  difficult  to  procure  from  the 
fact  that  most  of  those  shot  fell  among  the  rocks  where  they  could  not  be 
reached,  while  when  away  from  the  cliffs  they  flew  at  too  great  a  height  to 
be  reached  with  shot. 

The  notes  of  this  Swift  are  strong  and  rattling,  sometimes  rather  shrill, 
certain  ones  resembling  very  much  the  chatter  of  young  Baltimore  Orioles 
{Icterus  haltim^re)  as  uttered  while  being  fed  by  their  parents. 

List  of  specimens* 

836,  $  ad.;  Camp  19,  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  13,  1868.  6}^— 13|— (?)— - 
4 J.  Bill,  deep  black j  iris,  dark  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  livid-pinkish;  naked  eye- 
lids, sepia-brown. 

837,  9«^v  same  locality  and  date.    6J— .14— (!)— 4f|.. 

846,  i  ad,;  same  locality,  July  20, 1868.  7— 14J— (I)— 5.  Interior  of  mouth,  livid 
flesh-color. 

NePHCEOETES  ISTIGEB. 
Black  Swiflt. 

/?.  horealis. 

Cypselus  borealisj  Kennerly,  Pr.  Ac.  Kat.  Sci,  Philad.,  1857, 202. 

Nephwcetes  niger  var.  horealis,  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  183;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  270. 

Nephcecetes  niger.  b.  horealis,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  269. 

UepJiodoetes  niger,  Baird,  Birds  K  Ara.,  1858,  142;  Oat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 
108,  [not  Hirundo  nigra,  G'MBIj.,11SS,  =  ¥ephcscetes^l — Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I, 
1870,  349.— B.  B,  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  429,  pi.  XLV,  fig.  4. 

The  occurrence  of  this  Swift  in  the  valley  of  the  Truckee  was  made 
known  to  us  only  through  the  discovery  of  the  remains  of  an  individual 
which  had  been  devoured  by  a  hawk  or  owl,  the  sternum,  wings,  tail,  and 
feet  having  been  left  upon  a  log  in  a  cotton-wood  grove.     On  the  23d  of 

*  The  West  Indian  form. 


566  ORNITHOLOGY. 

June,  following,  we  found  it  abundant  in  a  very  similar  portion  of  the 
valley  of  Carson  River;  they  were  observed  early  in  the  morning,  hovering 
over  the  cotton-wood  groves  in  a  large  swarm,  after  the  manner  of  Night- 
Ilawks  {Chordeiles)j  but  in  their  flight  resembling  the  Chimney  Swifts 
(CliiEtura),  as  they  also  did  in  their  uniform  dusky  color,  the  chief  apparent 
diflPerence  being  their  much  larger  size.  They  were  evidently  breeding  in 
the  locality,  but  whether  their  nests  were  in  the  hollow  cotton- wood  trees  of 
the  extensive  groves  along  the  river,  or  in  crevices  on  the  face  of  a  high 
cliff  which  fronted  the  river  near  by,  we  were  unable  to  determine  on 
account  of  the  shortness  of  our  stay.  They  were  perfectly  silent  during 
the  whole  time  they  were  observed. 

List  of  specimens, 

807,  wings,  tail,  feet,  and  sternum;  Truckee  Reservation,  May  31, 1868.  (Found 
on  a  log  in  the  woods,  where  left  by  a  hawk  or  owl.) 

?  CH;aiTURA  VAUXI. 
Oregon  Swift. 

Cypselus  vauxii,  ToWNSEND,  Journ.  Acad.  Nat  Sci.  Philad.,  VIII,  1839, 148. 
Chcettira  vauxii^  DeKay,  Zool.  New  York,  11,  1844,  36. — Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  145;  ed.  1860,  pi.  18;  Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  110.— Cooper, 

Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  351.— CouES,  Key,  1872, 183;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  272; 

Birds  N.W.,  1874,  268. 
Chcetura  (pelagica  var.f)  vauxi^  B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  435,  pi. 

XLV,  fig.  8. 

During  our  sojourn  at  the  Truckee  Reservation,  near  Pyramid  Lake, 
in  May  and  June,  1868,  we  saw,  nearly  every  evening,  but  never  until 
after  sundown,  quite  a  number  of  small  Swifts  which  must  have  been  this 
species;  but  they  always  flew  at  so  great  a  height  that  we  found  it  impos- 
sible to  obtain  a  specimen  in  order  to  determine  the  species.  In  appear- 
ance, manner  of  flight,  and,  apparently,  in  size  also,  they  resembled  the 
eastern  Chimney  Swift  {G.  pelagica),  but  they  difibred  in  their  entirely 
crepuscular  habits,  and  the  fact  that  they  were  perfectly  silent — the  latter 
in  particular  being  a  very  marked  difference  from  the  eastern  species. 


ANTEOSTOMUS  NUTTALLL  567 

Fasiilt  CAPRIMULGIDJ]— GoATSuoKEiis. 
Antkostomus  nuttalll 

Poor-will. 

{Koo-ta-gueh'  of  the  Paiutes;  Toet-sa-gueh'  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Caprimulgus  nuUallij  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Y,  1839,  335. 

AntroHtomm  nuttallL  Oassin,  Joarn.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  II,  1852, 123.— -Baird, 

Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  149;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  113.— Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  1, 1870,  341.— COUES,  Key,  1872, 181;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  2G(>;  Birds 

N.W.,  1874,  261.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N,  Am.  B.,  II,  1874,  417,  pi.  XLVr,  fig.  3. 

— Henshaw,  1875,  369, 

Unlike  its  eastern  representative,  the  well-known  Whip-poor-will  (A. 
vociferus),  this  western  species  is  an  inhabitant  of  open  places  exclusively, 
the  sage-brush  country  being,  so  far  as  we  observed,  its  only  habitat.  It 
appeared  to  be  most  abundant  on  the  mesas  and  about  the  foot-hills  of  the 
mountains,  but  it  was  often  observed  or  heard  in  the  lower  valleys,  as  well 
as  in  the  mountain-parks,  below  an  altitude  of  8,000  feet.  This  bird  was 
seen  only  when  startled  from  the  ground  by  our  too  near  approach,  when 
it  would  fly  up  suddenly  and  flutter  off  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  of 
certain  Owls,  the  flight  being  also  noiseless.  Often  while  returning  late 
from  the  mountains,  and  while  following  the  road  or  trail  homeward  across 
the  mesa,  we  have  beheld  one  of  these  birds  start  up  in  front  of  us,  as 
noiselessly  as  a  shadow,  again  settling  down  a  few  rods  ahead;  we  have 
followed  one  thus  for  a  hundred  yards  or  more  before  it  would  diverge 
from  our  course. 

The  call  of  this  bird  is  somewhat  like  that  of  the  Whip-poor-will, 
but  is  far  less  distinctly  uttered,  as  well  as  weaker,  sounding  more  like 
poor-will,  the  last  syllable  only  being  distinctly  enunciated.  This  call  we 
have  heard  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  but  they  sing  most  vigorously  as  night 
approaches.     Both  sexes  incubate. 

List  of  specimens, 

799,  <J  ad.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  Nevada,  June  3, 1868.  S^V-^'^'i— C?)— ^I-  Bill^ 
black;  iris,  raw-umber;  tarsi  and  toes,  dusky  sepia. 

843,  eggs  2;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  20,  1868.  Deposited  on  bare 
ground,  beneath  sage-bush,  on  hillside.    Male  killed  while  flying  from  eggs. 


568  ORNITHOLOGY. 

844,  S  ad,  (parent  of  preceding);  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  July  20,  1808.  8^ 
— 17^— (!)— 4J.  Bill,  deep  black;  interior  of  the  mouth,  flesh-color;  iris  (very  narrow), 
umber;  eyelids,  ochraceous-brown;  tarsi,  pale  ashy-lilaceous,  the  toes  darker. 

937,  6  ad,;  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  September  19,  1868.  8|— 17f— (I)— 5. 
Same  remarks. 

1379,  3  ad.;  Uintah  Mountains,  Utah,  July  7,  1869.  8J— 17|.  Bill,  black;  iris 
(narrowly),  brown;  eyelids,  dull  ochraceous;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  dusky  purplish. 

Choedeiles  POPETUE. 

/S,  henryi. 

{Kow'a-looh  of  the  Washoes;   Wy^-e-up-ah'-oh  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Chordeilea  henryi,  Cassin,  Illust.  Birds  CaL,  Texas.  &c.,  1855,  239.— Baird,  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  153,  922 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  115. 
Chordeiles  popetue  var.  henryi,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  ZooL,  III,  1872,  179. — 

B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  II,  1874,  404,  pi.  xlvi,  fig.  4.— Henshaw, 

1875,367. 
Chordeiles  virginianus  var.  henryi,  CouES,  Key,  1872, 181 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

267a. 
Cliordeiles  virginianus,  b.  henryi,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  264, 
Chordeiles  popetue.  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870,  343. 

The  Night-Hawk  was  a  common  summer  inhabitant  of  the  country 
traversed.  It  was  most  numerous  during  the  months  of  August  and  Septem- 
ber, when  just  before  dark  they  congregated  in  immense  numbers  and  over- 
spread in  scattered  flocks  those  locaUties  where  insect-life  most  abounded- 
In  July,  their  well-known  booming  sound  was  often  heard.  During  the 
greater  portion  of  the  day  they  remained  inactive,  and  were  then  frequently 
surprised  during  their  siesta,  as  they  perched  on  a  horizontal  limb,  a  board 
of  a  fence,  or  a  stick  lying  on  the  ground,  their  position  being,  according 'to 
our  experience,  invariably  lengthwise  with  the  perch.^  While  thus  resting 
they  often  evince  a  strong  attachment  to  the  perch  they  occupy,  returning 

*  This  disposition  to  sit  lengthwise  with  the  perch  may  be  considered  by  some  a 
constant  habit  of  the  CaprimulgidsD;  we  should  be  inclined  to  so  regard  it  ourselves, 
were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  the  first  specimen  of  Antrostomus  vociferus  we  ever  killed 
was  shot  while  asleep  on  a  small  branch  of  a  hickory  tree,  its  position  being  at  right- 
angles  with  the  direction  of  the  twig,  in  the  manner  usual  among  the  true  ^^perchers^' 
(Passeres,  etc.). 


STEIX  PEATINCOLA.  5G9 

to  it  repeatedly  when  frightened  away;  No.  1 18  of  the  specimens  enumerated 
below  being  killed  after  it  had  been  frightened  oif  a  stick  lying  on  the 
ground  in  a  coiTal  three  times  by  unsuccessful  shots  at  it.  In  all  its  habits, 
as  well  as  in  the  notes,  there  appears  to  be  no  difference  whatever  between 
the  western  and  eastern  birds  of  this  species. 

List  of  specim  ens. 

118,  ^  ad.;  Truckee  Valley,  [Nevada,  August  4, 1867.  9^— 233— 7if — 6iV-i— tV— 
4^ — 2J.    Bill,  black ;  iris,  dark  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dusky  purplish. 

842,  1  egg;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  July  17,  1868.  Egg  oit  the  bare 
ground,  beneath  a  sage-bush. 

856,  i  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  August  4, 1868.  9|— 23J— (!)— 
6J.    Same  remarks. 

857,  i  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    10— 23J—- (?)— 6,    Same  remarks. 
1344,  S  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  28,  1869. 

1383,  1  egg]  Uintah  Mountains  (head  of  Du  Chesne  Eiver),  Utah,  July  8,  1869. 

1426,  1  egg;  Parley's  Park,  July  17, 1869. 

J 443,  2  eggs ;  Parley's  Park,  July  23,  1869. 

1450,  (?  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  July  24,  1869.    9^—23^. 

1507,  9  ad.;  Parley's  Park,  August  13,  1869.    9^—22^. 

1514,  9  ad.;  Parley  Park,  August  26,  1869.    9^—23^. 


Family  STRIGIDJ]— Owls. 
Strix  flammea. 

Barn  Owl. 

6.  pratincola. 

Strix  pratincola,  Bonaparte,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  7.-— Cassin,  in  Baird^s 

Birds  K  Am.,  1858,  47.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,.  1859,  No.  47.— Cooper, 

Orn.,  Cal.,  I,  415. 
Strix  pratincola  var.  pratincolaj  EroawAY,  B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III, 

1874,13. 
Strix  americana,  Audubon,  Synopsis,  1839,  25. 
Strix  flammea  americana^  SCHLEa.,  Mus.  PaysBas,  1862,  Striges,  4. 
Strix  flammea  var.  americana,  Coues,  Key,  1872,  201,  fig.  134;  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  316;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  298. 

The  Bam  Owl  was  seen  only  In  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento,  the  single 
one  observed  being  frightened  from  a  hollow  tree. 


570  ORNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  speoimefis. 

4:22  i  ad.;  "San  Francisco,  California,  February  11,  1868,  14.|— 42^— (?)^ilj. 
Bill,  bluisli-yeJlow,  growing  wbite  at  the  point  j  eyes,  blue-black."  (Presented  by  Mr. 
n.  G.  Parker.) 

Otus  WILSONIANUS. 
Liong-eared  Owl. 

OlM8  wilsonianus^  Lesson,  Traits  Orn.,  1, 1831, 110. — Cassin,  iu  Baird's  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  53.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  51.— Cooper,  1, 1870,426. 

Otus  vulgaris  var.  wilsonianus,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872,  180. — 
COUES,  Key,  1872,  204 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  320;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  304.— 
B.  B.  &  11.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  18.— Henshaw,  1875,  403. 

Seldom,  if  ever,  did  we  enter  a  willow-copse  of  any  extent,  during  our 
explorations  in  the  West,  without  starting  one  or  more  specimens  of  this  Owl 
from  the  depths  of  the  thicket.  This  was  the  case  both  near  Sacramento 
and  in  the  Interior,  and  in  summer  as  well  as  in  winter.  In  these  thickets 
they  find  many  deserted  nests  of  the  Magpie,  and  selecting  the  most  dilap- 
idated of  these,  deposit  their  eggs  on  a  scant  additional  lining.  This 
practice  is  so  general,  so  far  as  the  birds  of  the  Interior  are  concerned,  that 
we  never  found  the  eggs  or  young  of  this  species  except  as  described  above. 
On  the  27th  of  May  we  found  a  nest  containing  four  downy  young  among 
the  willows  along  the  bank  of  the  Truckee  River. 

List  of  specimens. 

66^  $  ad.;  Sacramento,  California,  June  18, 1867.  14J— 39.J— 124— 10|— |f — If— 
6J — 4.  Bill,  black ;  iris,  bright  lemon-yellow  ;  toes,  beneath,  pale  yellowish-ashy,  their 
scutellse  more  yellowish. 

74,  ijuv.;  iSacramento,Juno22,1867.—llf—30J—8f—6J—}i— 11—4^—3.  Bill, 
brownish-blue  J  iris,  bright  yellow  5  exposed  scutell®  of  the  toes,  pale  brownish-blue; 
soles,  ashy-whitish. 

389, 9  ad.;  Washoe  Valley,  Nevada,  January  3,  1868.  14^— 39— 11|— lOJ.  Bill, 
deep  black;  iris,  rich  gamboge-yellow;  toes  pale  ashy  naples-yellow  beneath,  the 
scutellse  light  yellowish-brown;  claws,  deep  black. 

390,  S  ad.  (mate  of  preceding).    14 — 36 — 11^ — 9J.    Same  remarks; 

424,  "  9  ad.;  San  Francisco,  California,  January  31,  1868.  14|— 39f — (?)— 10^. 
Eyes,  bright  yellow."    (Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.) 

536,  eggs  (2) ;  Carson  City,  Kevada,  April  27, 1868.  Eggs  deposited  in  a  deserted 
nest  of  the  Magpie  {Pica  hudsonica),  in  a  willow-thicket  along  the  Carson  Eiver.  Parent 
shot. 


BRACHYOTUS  CASSINI— SCOPS  ASIO.  571 

Brachyotus  PALUSTRIS. 

Short-cared  Owl. 

(3,  cassini 
Strix  hraehyottis,  Forster,  Phil.  Trans.,  LXII,  1772,  384. 
Otus  hrachyotns,  Boie,  Isis,  1822,  549. 

Oius  (Brachyotus)  brachyotus,  B.  B.  &  R,  Hist  K  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874,  22.— TIen- 
SHAW,  1875,  404. 

Brachyotus  palustris,  BoNAP.,  Comp.   List.,   1838,  7.— Cotjes,  Key,  1872,  204; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  321 ;  B.  N. W.,  1874, 306. 
Brachyotus  cassinii,  Brewer,  Pr.  Boston  Soc.  N.  H.,  1856,  — .—Cassin,  in  Baird's 

B.  K  Am.,  1858,  54.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  52.— Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  I,  428. 

This  Owl  we  did  not  meet  with  anywhere,  the  only  specimen  in  the 
collection  having  been  presented  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.  It  is  said,  however, 
to  be  an  abundant  species  in  certain  portions  of  California. 

List  of  specimens. 

425,  ''  9  ad.;  San  Francisco,  California,  February  17,  1868.    16J— 43|— (1)— 11. 
Eyes,  bright  yellow." 

SCOPS    ASIO. 
Mottled  Owl;  I^ittle  Red  Owl. 

a,  asio, 

Strix  asio.  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766, 132. 

Scops  asiOj  BoNAP.,  Comp.  and  Geog.  List,  1838,  6.— Cassin,  in  BaircVs  Birds  K. 
Am.,  1858, 51.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  Ko.  49.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 
I,  1870,  420.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  202,  fig.  136  5  Check  List,  1873,  No.  318.— 
B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  49. 

Scops  asio,  a.  asio,  CouES,  Birds  KW.,  1874,  303. 

Scops  asio  var.  maccalU^  Henshaw,  Orn.  Wheeler's  Exp.,  1875,  405.  (Not  S. 
maccallij  Cass.) 

This  common  little  Owl  we  observed  only  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento 
City;  not  a  single  individual  was  seen  in  the  Interior,  nor  did  we  hear  of 
its  occurrence  there.  It  was  not  met  with  in  the  red  plumage,  which  ap- 
pears to  be  rare — perhaps  unknown — on  the  Pacific  coast. 

List  of  specimens. 

61,  9  juv.;  Sacramento,  California,  June  20,  1867.  SJ— 22|—6|— 5—^^—1  J— 
3J — 2.    Bill,  pale  ashy  pea-green  ;'iris,  lemon-yellow;  toes,  pale  grayish. 

62,  i  juv,;  §ame  locality  and  date.  8| — 21^—6 — 4||— j^^ — 1| — 3— 2J.  Same  re- 
marks. 


572  OENITHOLOGT. 

75,  S  ad.;  Sacramento,  Jane  23, 1867.  9^22— 7— 5f^~-l|— 3f— 2^.  Bill,  light 
brownish-blue;  iris,  leraon-yellow;  toes,  very  pale  ashy, 

Nyotale  AOADICA. 

Saw-whet  Owl. 

Strix  acadicaj  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  296.     {Adult.) 

Kyctale  acadica^  BoKAI>.,  Oomp.  and  Geog.  List,  1838,  7. — Oassin,  in  Baird's  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  58.— Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  57.— Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  1, 436.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  205;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  328 ;  Birds  N.  W., 

1874,  315.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  43. 
8trix  albifrons^  Shaw,  Nat.  Misc.,  Y,  1794,  pi.  171.    { Young.) 
Nyctale  albifrona^  Cassin,  Illustr.  Birds  Cal.,  Tex.,  &c.,  1854, 187;  in  Baird's  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  57.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  56.— Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  I,  435. 

But  a  single  individual  of  this  pretty  little  Owl  was  met  with ;  this  one 
was  captured  alive  by  Mr.  0.  L.  Palmer,  of  our  party,  who  found  it  asleep 
and  placed  his  hat  over  it.  It  was  perched  on  the  edge  of  an  old  Robin's 
nest,  in  a  dense  willow  thicket  near  the  camp. 

Lint  of  specimens. 

941,  9  ad,;  Thousand  Spring  Valley  (Camp  27),  September  24,  1868.  8— 20— (?) 
— 4f.  Bill,  deep  black;  iris,  clear  bright  gamboge  yellow;  toes,  pale  naples  yellow; 
claws,  deep  black. 

Bubo  vikginianus. 

Great  Horned  Owl. 

fi,  subarcticus. 
{Temooli'mooh!  of  the  Washoes ;  Moo-hoo^  of  the  Paiutes.) 
Bubo  subarcticus^  HoY,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VI,  1852,  211. 
Bubo  virginianus  var.  arcticuSj  Cassin,  Illustr.  Birds  Cal.,  Tex.,  &c.,  1854, 178, 
[Not  Strix  (Bubo)  arcticus,  Swains.,  1831,  =  albinescent  arctic  form.] — 
CoUBS,  Key,  1872,  202 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  317.— B.  B.  &  K,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
B.,  Ill,  1874,  60,  64.— Henshaw,  1875,  407. 
Bubo  virginianus  var.  pa^dficus^  Cassin,  Illustr.  Birds  Cal.,  Tex.,  &c.,  1854, 178; 

in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am,  1858,  49.^ 
Bubo  virginianus^  Cassin,  Baird's  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,49  (part).— Baird,  Cat.  N. 
Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  48.~-CooPER,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  418. 

The  Grreat  Horned  Owl  was  found  by  us  in  all  wooded  districts,  except- 

1  Not  of  RiDGWAY,  in  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  which  is  a  northern  littoral 
form,  of  very  dark,  colors,  whiqh  appears  to  be  unnamed,  and  which  may  be  distin- 
guished as  B.  virginianus  saturatus,  Ridgway. 


SPEOTYTO  HTPOG^A.  573 

ing  the  Sacramento  Valley,  where  none  were  seen,  although  the  species 
undoubtedly  occurs  there.  In  the  lower  Truckee  Valley,  near  Pyramid 
Lake,  it  was  abundant  in  December,  and  its  nocturnal  hootings  were  heard 
from  among  the  cotton-wood  groves  every  moonlight  night,  while  its  feath- 
ers, more  than  those  of  any  other  bird,  adorned  the  arrows  of  the  Indians 
on  the  reservation.  It  was  also  common  near  Carson  City,  and  a  few  were 
startled  one  morning  as  we  rode  through  a  cedar  woods  near  the  ''City  of 
Rocks,"  in  southern  Idaho.  One  was  also  seen  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
Pyramid  Lake  in  May,  it  being  chased  from  rock  to  rock  by  a  male  Falcon 
{Falco  commtmis  ncevius),  who,  with  his  mate,  had  a  nest  on  the  ''Pyramid" 
just  off  the  shore. 

The  hooting  of  this  Owl  is  low  and  hoarse,  resembling  the  distant  bark- 
ing of  a  large  dog;  its  modulation  is  something  like  the  syllables  hooh\  JioOj 
hoOj  hoo — JwoooooOj  the  latter  portion  a  subdued  trembling  echo,  as  it  were, 
of  the  more  distinctly  uttered  notes.  These  notes  do  not  differ  in  the  least 
from  those  of  the  eastern  birds  of  this  species. 

List  of  specimens. 

504,  eggs  (3) ;  Carson  Eiver,  rear  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  21,  18G8.  Neat 
about  30  feet  from  the  ground,  in  a  large  cotton- wood  tree;  evidently  an  abandoned 
one  of  the  Buieo  swainsoni. 

Speotyto  CUNICULAKIA. 

Burrowing  Owl. 

y.  hypogcea} 

Strix  hypugwaj  BoNAP.,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1825,  72. 

Athene  hypogcea,  BoNAP.,  Consp.,  I,  1850,  39. — Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  59.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.,  B.,  1859,  No.  58.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal,  I,  440. 
Speotyto  cunicularia  var.  hypogcea,  EiDawAY,  in  Coues'  Key,  1872,  207  ;  in  B.B. 

&  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  90.— CouES,  Check  List,  1873,  No,  332; 

Birds  N.W.,  1874,  321.— Henshaw,  1875,  409. 
Athene  cunicularia,  Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 60  (not  of  Molina,  1782). 

—Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  59.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  437. 

Although  the  *' Ground  OwP'  was  found  at  widely-separated  places 

^  Races  a  and  fi  are,  cunicularia,  Mol.,  of  the  Pampas  of  Paraguay,  Buenos  Ayres, 
etc.,  and  grallaria,  Spix,  of  Peru  and  western  Brazil.  Other  geographical  forms  are 
d,  floridana^  Ridgw.,  of  southwestern  Florida,  and  e,  guadeloupensis^  Ridgw.,  of  the  island 
of  Guadeloupe  (West  Indies). 


574  ORNITHOLOGY. 

along  our  entire  route,  it  was  abundant  at  very  few  localities.  It  was  most 
numerous  on  the  dry  plains  near  Sacramento,  being  even  found  on  the 
open  commons  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where  it  occupied  deep  excava- 
tions which  were  apparently  the  result  of  its  own  work,  as  no  spermophiles 
or  other  burrowing  quadrupeds  were  noticed  in  the  locaUty.  Eastward  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada  we  found  it  only  at  wide  intervals ;  it  was  rather  rare 
about  Carson  City,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Steamboat  Springs,  near 
Washoe ;  a  single  pair  was  seen  on  the  mesa  between  the  Humboldt  River 
and  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  and  a  few  were  noticed  in  Fairview 
Valley,  while  in  the  neighborhood  of  Salt  Lake  City  it  was  more  common. 

This  Owl  is  as  diurnal  in  its  habits  as  any  of  the  FalconidsB,  being 
habitually  found  abroad  during  the  brightest  hours  of  day;  and  its  sight 
is  so  remarkably  acute  that  it  is  jextremely  diificult  to  approach,  even 
when  bushes,  banks  of  earth,  or  other  screens  are  taken  advantage  of. 
Should  one  be  in  its  burrow,  it  will  almost  certainly  fly  forth  at  the  most 
noiseless  approach  of  a  person,  for  its  sense  of  hearing  is  no  less  remark- 
able than  its  sight.  When  thus  disturbed,  this  Owl  flies  to  a  safe  distance, 
and  after  alighting  upon  some  prominent  object,  as  a  hillock  or  a  telegraph- 
wire,  watches  attentively  every  motion  of  the  intruder,  while  now  and 
then  he  scolds  him  with  a  saucy  chattering,  at  the  same  time  ludicrously 
bowing. 

Near  Carson  City,  we  attempted,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Parker,  to 
excavate  the  burrow  of  a  pair  of  these  Owls.  This  burrow  was  situated  in  a 
wheat-field,  and  was  guarded  by  the  nfale  bird,  who  sat  at  its  entrance.  As 
we  approached  him  he  flew,  but  before  getting  out  of  range  was  winged 
and  brought  down ;  he  was  captured  with  great  difficult}^,  as  he  made  for 
the  sage-brush  fast  as  his  extraordinary  leaps  could  carry  him,  but  when 
overtaken  offered  no  resistance,  merely  snapping  his  bill  a  little.  Having 
him  secured,  we  then  proceeded  to  our  task  of  excavating  to  the  nest,  which 
was  accomplished  after  digging  hard  for  nearly  an  hour.  The  hole  termin- 
ated about  eight  feet  from  the  entrance  and  four  beneath  the  surface  of 
the  ground.  Before  arriving  at  its  extremity  our  captive  was  released, 
when  he  immediately  disappeared  into  the  hole ;  but  when  the  end  was 
reached  he,  with  his  mate  (the  latter  unharmed),  was   secured.     In  the 


FALCO  N^VIUS.  575 

chamber,  which  contained  no  nest  whatever,  were  found  one  egg  and  the 
remains  of  a  frog,  which  had  probably  been  carried  to  the  female  by  her 
attentive  companion. 

List  of  specimens. 
60,  ad.;  Sacramento  City,  California,  June  20, 1867.    9J — 25|— 7J— 5§ J^i li^ 

315,  ad.;  "  near  Aracrican  River,  Sacramento  County,  California,  November,  1867." 
(Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.) 

423,*'$  ad;  San  Francisco,  California,  January  23, 1808.  9§--24|— (?)— 5^.  Eyes, 
bright  3'ellow."    (Presented  by  Mr.  Parker.) 

525,  egg(l);  Carson  City,  Nevada,  April  25,  1868. 


Family  FALCONIDJE— Hawks,  Eagles,  Kites,  etc. 

Falco  commtj:^is. 

Peregrine  Falcon. 

/?.  ncevius — American  Peregrine;  ^^Duck  Hawkr 

Falco  7iwvius,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Kat.,  I,  1783,  271  (adult). 

Falco  anatwn,  BoNAP.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  4. — Casstn,  Baird's  B.  K  Am,, 
1858,  7.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  5.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  457. 

Falco  communis  var.  anatum^  Ridgway,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  1873, 45 ;  in  B, 
B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  132.— Henshaw,  1875,  411. 

Falco  communis,  c,  anaium^  Coues,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  341. 

Falco  nigricepsj  GA^sm,  Illust.  Birds  of  Cal.,  Tex.,  &c.,  1854,  87 ;  Birds  N.Am. 
(Baird),  1858,  8^  ed.  1860,  pi.  11.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  6— 
Cooper,  Orn.  CaL,  1, 1870,  45G. 

Falco  communis,  Coues,  Key,  1872,  213,  fig.  141  (not  of  Gmelin,  1788) ;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  343. 

The  Duck  Hawk  was  observed  only  at  Pyramid  Lake  and  along 
the  lower  portion  of  the  Truckee  River.  At  the  former  locality  a  singlis 
pair  frequented  the  rocky  eastern  shore  and  the  adjacent  clusters  of  pyra- 
midal rocky  islands.  On  the  23d  of  May,  1868,  when  we  visited  the 
Pyramid,  we  observed  a  male  of  this  Falcon,  in  the  blue  plumage,  flying 


576  ORNITHOLOGY, 

about  this  immense  pyramidal  rock,  and  from  the  zealous  manner  in  which  he 
drove  away  every  intruder  not  to  his  liking,  we  concluded  the  female  must 
be  sitting  on  her  eggs  or  young.  The  Pyramid  was  ascended,  however, 
to  the  very  summit,  but  the  nest  was  not  found ;  but  this  was  not  strange, 
since  but  one  of  the  three  corners  of  the*  rock  was  accessible,  while  to 
diverge  to  either  side  from  the  exceedingly  difficult  path  by  which  we 
ascended  would  have  been  impossible.  The  location  of  the  nest  was  after- 
ward definitely  ascertained  by  noticing  the  male  alight  on  a  narrow  ledge 
near  the  top  of  one  of  the  vertical  sides,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
above  the  water.  A  few  moments  later  he  was  again  observed  flying 
around,  and  while  we  were  watching  him  he  discovered  among  the  rocks 
a  large  Horned  Owl  (Bubo  subarcticus)  which  he  immediately  dislodged  and 
followed  a  considerable  distance  along  the  shore,  uttering  a  whistling  note 
at  each  assault.  The  single  specimen  in  our  collection  was  killed  under 
the  following  circumstances :  Having  sat  down  on  a  log  by  the  edge  of  the 
river  to  rest,  as  well  as  to  observe  the  movements  of  a  Killdeer  Plover 
{^gialitis  vociferus)  which  was  running  back  and  forth  over  the  gravelly  bar 
forming  the  opposite  shore,  we  saw  the  Killdeer  suddenly  squat  and  then 
dodge,  and  at  the  same  time  saw  the  Falcon  check  itself  in  its  flight,  after 
having  missed  its*  aim.  Whether  its  lack  of  success  was  caused  by  the 
nimbleness  of  the  intended  quarry,  or  whether  the  Falcon  saw  us  just  as 
it  was  about  to  strike,  we  know  not ;  but  after  suddenly  checking  itself  it 
wheeled  immediately  about,  and  would  have  soon  disappeared  had  we  not 
fired  before  it  got  out  of  range.  At  the  report  of  our  gun,  another  one, 
probably  the  mate  of  our  victim,  flew  from  a  cotton- wood  tree  in  the  direc- 
tion from  which  he  came. 

List  of  specimens. 

W2,Sjm.;  Big  Bend  of  tbe  Truckee,  Nevada,  July  23,  1857.  16^—394— 12|— 
10-~i|— 1|— 6J— 3|.  Weight  IJ  pounds.  Basal  halt'  of  the  bill,  pale  bluish-whito, 
terminal  portion  slate,  deepening  into  black  at  end;  cere,  bluish-white,  bare  orbital 
space  greenish- white;  iris,  vivid  brownish  black ;  tarsi  and  toes,  lemon  yellow,  with  a 
faint  greenish  tinge;  claws,  jet  black. 


FALCO  POLYAGRUS.  577 

Falco  SAKER. 

Saker  Falcon. 

/?.  polyagrus — Prairie  Falcon. 

Falco  polyagrus,  Cassin,  Illustr.  Birds  Cal.,  Tex.,  &c.,  1853,  88,  pi.  J  6  (front 
figure — not  the  dark  one,  which  =  F.  communis  pealeiy  Ridgway,  Bull.  Essex 
Inst.,  V,  Dec,  1873,  p.  201);  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  12.— Baird,  Cat. 
K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  Ko.  10.— COOPEE,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  458. 

Falco  lanarius  var.  polyagrm,  Ridgway,  in  B.  B.  &  R.j'Hist.  N,  Am.  Birds,  III, 
1874, 123.— Henshaw,  1875,  410. 

Falco  mexicmus,  CouES,  Key,  1872,  213;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  342. 

Falco  mexicanus  var.  polyagrns,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  339. 

This  daring  Falcon  was  a  rather  common  species  throughout  the  Great 
Basin.  It  was  first  observed  on  the  31st  of  October,  1867,  at  the  Hum- 
boldt Marshes,  where  we  saw  one  swoop  upon  a  flock  of  tame  pigeons  at 
the  stage-station.  Late  in  November,  of  the  same  year,  it  was  noticed 
again  among  the  marshes  along  the  Carson  River,  near  Genoa,  where  it 
was  observed  to  watch  and  follow  the  Marsh  Hawks  (Circus  hudsonius), 
compelling  them  to  give  up  their  game,  which  was  caught  by  the  Falcon 
before  it  reached  the  ground ;  this  piracy  being  not  an  occasional,  but  a 
systematic  habit.  In  the  Truckee  Valley  we  saw  one  snatch  a  young 
chicken  from  a  door-yard,  in  the  presence  of  several  spectators.  The  quarry 
of  this  Falcon  is  by  no  means  confined  to  animals  smaller  than  itself,  how- 
ever, for  the  specimen  in  our  collection  was  killed  while  leisurely  eating  a 
Jackass  Rabbit  [Lepus  callotis)^  an  animal  of  nearly  twice  his  weight,  and 
which  he  Jiad  carried  to  the  top  of  a  fence-post  by  the  road-side.  He  exhib- 
ited no  alarm  at  the  approach  of  our  buggy,  but  continued  tearing  and 
devouring  his  prey;  we  had  even  passed  by  him  without  seeing  him,  when 
the  quick  eye  of  Mr.  Parker  detected  him  in  time  for  a  shot. 

In  the  rocky  canons  of  the  more  lofty  ranges  to  the  eastward  it  was 

common  during  summer,  particularly  about  the  limestone  cliffs  of  the  Ruby 

range,  where  the  families  of  young,  accompanied  by  their  parents,  made 

a  great  clamor,  as  they  flew  among  the  precipitous  rocks  where  they  had 

been  bred.     They  were  likewise  common  in  the  rocky  canons  of  the  Wah- 

satch. 

37  PR 


578  ORNITHOLOGY. 

List  of  specimens, 

336,  Sjuv.;  tJarson  City,  Nevada,  November  29, 1867.  17— 37f— 12J— lOJ— g— 
H—'^i—H'  Weight,  1^  pounds.  Bill,  very  pure  bluish-wbite,  shading  terminally  into 
bluish-slaty,  the  point  black  ]  cere,  rictus,  and  bare  orbital  region,  greenish- white  ;  iris, 
vivid  vandyke-brown  5  tarsi  and  toes,  very  pale  yellowish,  with  a  tinge  of  verdigris- 
green. 

Faloo  columbarius. 

Pjg^eoii  Hawk;  American  Merlin. 

Falco  columharius,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1706, 128.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  214;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  344;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  345.— Hensh aw,  1875, 412.— Cooper, 
Orn.  Cah,  I,  1870,  460. 

Eypotriorchis  columbarius,  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  184-.  — Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am. 
Birds,  1859,  No.  7. 

Falco  (HypotriorcUs)  columbarius,  Cassin,  jn  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  9. 
Falco  {^salon)  lithofalco  var.  columbarius,  RiDav^.,  Pr.  Boston  Soc,  N.  II.,  1873, 
46;  in  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  144. 

This  little  Falcon  was  seen  on  but  three  or  four  occasions.  The  speci- 
men in  the  collection  was  shot  just  after  it  had  made  an  unsuccessful 
assault  on  a  flock  of  black-birds  {Scolecophagits  cyanocepJialus)  which  were 
feeding  on  the  ground  in  a  corral.  Its  success  was  no  doubt  thwarted  by 
the  opening  of  the  door  of  the  house  near  by,  for  it  flew  away  frightened, 
but  fortunately  came  in  our  direction,  and  alighted  upon  a  fence-post  within 
easy  gunshot  range. 

List  of  specimens. 

291,  ?  ad.;  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  18,  1867.  lli_24— 75— 6f— 
T^—^i-^^i— 3A-  Terminal  portion  of  the  bill,  deep  slate-black,  basal  half  very  pale 
whitish-blue,  with  a  yellowish  wash  toward  the  rictus;  cere  and  rictus,  light  greenish- 
yellow;  eyelids,  bright  gamboge-yellow,  bare  orbital  region  more  citreous;  iris,  bright 
vandyke-brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  gamboge-yellow ;  claws,  jet-black. 

Falco  spabveeius. 

*' Sparrow  Hawk;"  American  Kestril. 

Falco  sparverius,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  128.^Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  I,  1870, 

462.-.COUES,  Key,  1872, 214,  fig.  142;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  346;  Birds  N.W., 

1874,  349.— HenshaW,  1875,  413. 
Falco  {TinnuncMlus)  sparverius,  Cassin,  Baird^s  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  13.— Kidgw., 

in  B.  B.  &  K.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  169. 
Tinnunculus  sparverius,  Vieill.,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I,  1807,  40,  pi.  12.— Baird,  Cat. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  13. 

Regarding  the  western  range  of  this  widely-distributed  species,  nothing 


FALCO  SPARVEKIUS.  579 

more  need  be  said  than  that  it  occurs  everywhere^  in  suitable  places;  at  the 
same  time,  we  may  remark  that  it  is  by  far  the  most  abundant  of  all  the 
birds  of  prey,  although  its  numbers  vary  greatly  with  the  locality.  At  a 
certain  spot  along  the  Carson  River,  not  far  from  Carson  City,  stood,  in 
the  spring  of  1868,  a  clump  of  five  large  cotton-wood  trees,  the  only  ones  for 
miles  around,  and  each  of  these  trees  was  inhabited  by  a  pair  of  these  little 
Falcons,  who  had  nests  in  the  hollows  of  the  limbs.  This  is  well  known  to 
be  the  favorite  location  for  their  nests;  but  where  there  were  no  trees  to  ac- 
commodate them,  we  found  them  adapting  their  nesting-habits  to  the  char- 
acter of  the  surroundings.  Thus,  in  the  precipitous  canons  of  the  Ruby 
Mountains,  they  built  among  the  crevices  of  the  limestone  cliffs,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Prairie  Falcon  (F.  polyagrus)^  the  Violet-green  and  Cliff 
Swallows,  and  the  White-throated  S^vift ;  while  in  some  portions  of  Utah 
they  took  possession  of  the  holes  dug  by  the  Kingfishers  and  Red-shafted 
Flickers  in  the  earthy  banks  of  the  ravines.  Among  the  cliffs  of  Echo 
Canon,  along  the  line  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  in  Utah,  we  noticed 
these  birds  in  August  swarming  by  hundreds  about  the  brow  of  the  preci- 
pice, several  hundred  feet  overhead. 

List  of  specimens, 

63,  $  ad,;  Sacramento,  California,  June  20,  1867.  10^—225— 7iJ—6|—.^«^—l J— 
5 — 4.  Bill,  bluish- white,  growing  slate-black  terminally;  cere  and  angle  of  the  mouthy 
intense  orange-red  ;  iris,  very  dark  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  orange-chrome ;  claws, 
jet-black. 

107,  $  ad.;  Big  Bend  of  the  Truckee  (Camp  12),  Kevada,  July  2C}^  1867.  10— 
225—7^ — 6g — /g — IJg — 5|— 3J,  Bill,  pale  blue  basally,  slate-black  terminally;  cere 
and  bare  orbital  region,  pale  dull  yellow;  iris,  vandyke-brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull 
yellow;  claws,  black. 

108,  ?  jm,  (young  of  preceding) ;  Camp  12,  July  26, 1867.  103^23—7/^—6/^— 
^ — 1 — 5^ — 3^.  Bill^  pale  fleshy  blue ^  or  Ulaceous^white  ;  cere  and  orbital  region,  pale 
dull  yellow ;  iris  dark  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  very  pale  dull  yellow. 

125,  <?  ad,;  Camp  12,  August  6, 1867.  10|— 22J— 7^— 6|— /l— }|— 5|— 3}!..  Basal 
half  of  the  bill,  pure  pale  blue,  terminal  portion  slate-black;  cere  and  bare  orbital  region, 
dull  yellow  ;  iris,  very  deep  brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  chrome-yellow  ;  claws,  black. 

343,  9  ad.;  near  Fort  Churchill,  Nevada,  December  6,  1867.  ll|— 24— 8f— 7— 
A — ^i — ^i — ^i*    Same  remarks. 

419,  ''  9  ad.;  San  Francisco,  California,  January  23,  1868.  11J_24J— (!)— 7^-'^ 
(Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.) 

420,  '^  9  ad,;  San  Francisco,  January  23,  1868.  11^23^(1)— 6 J."  (H.  G. 
Parker.) 


580  OENITHOLOGY. 

489,  9  ad.;  Carson,  Nevada,  April  4, 1868.  11— 24— 8J~.GJ.  Cere  (entirely  sur- 
rounding  base  of  the  bill),  bare  orbital  region,  and  tarsi  and  toes,  intense  reddish- 
orange,  or  orange-chrome. 

496,  (J  ad.;  Carson,  April  18,  1868.    101—235— 7i|—6§.    Same  remarks. 

816,  egg  (I) ;  Fort  Churchill,  Carson  River,  June  24, 1868.  Egg,  with  four  downy 
young,  deposited  in  a  hollow  snag  of  a  cotton-wood  tree,  about  15  feet  from  the  ground. 

Circus  hudsonius. 

Marsti  Hawk. 

Falco  Imdsoniusy  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  128. 

Circus  hudsonius,  Vieill.,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.,  I,  1807,  36,  pi.  ix.— Oassin,  Baird^s 

Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  38.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  38.— Cooper, 

Orn.  Cal.,  I,  489. 
Circus  cyaneus  hudsonius^  Schleg.,  Mus.  Pays-Bas,  Circij  1862,  2. 
Circus  cyaneus  var.  hudsonius,  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Com  p.  ZooL,  III,  1872,  18L— 

COUES,  Key,  1872,  210,  fig.  159;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  333;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 

327.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  214.— Henshaw,  1875,  416. 

No  uiarsh  of  any  extent  was  visited,  either  in  winter  or  summer,  where 
this  Hawk  could  not  be  seen  at  almost  any  time  during  the  day  skimming 
over  the  tules  in  search  of  its  prey.  The  latter  consists  of  small  birds  of  all 
kinds,  the  young  of  water-fowl,  hzards,  and  probably  small  mammals, 
although  the  latter  were  not  found  in  the  crop  of  any  of  the  specimens 
examined.  The  stomachs  and  crops  of  those  killed  at  Pyramid  Lake 
were  filled  to  their  utmost  capacity  with  the  remains  of  small  lizards,  and 
nothing  else ;  at  the  same  locality,  however,  they  were  often  observed  to 
chase  small  birds,  particularly  Brewer's  and  the  Black-throated  Sparrows, 
the  most  numerous  species,  of  which  this  Hawk  appears  to  be  a  most 
dreaded  enemy,  since  its  appearance  creates  perfect  consternation  among 
all  the  Sparrows  in  its  path,  who  utter  distressed  cries,  and  make  confused 
and  desperate  efforts  to  escape  by  plunging  precipitately  into  the  thickest 

bushes, 

lAsi  of  specimens, 

129,  9  juv.;  eastern  shore  of  Pyramid  Lake,  August  15,  1867.  19J— 43^13§— 
llj— I— 2|— 9J— 6.  Bill,  deep  black,  more  bluish  basally;  cere  and  rictus,  greenish- 
gamboge,  most  yellowish  on  top;  iris,  yellowish  gray }  tarsi  and  toes,  rich  orange- 
yellow;  claws,  jet-black. 

131,  $juv.;  Big  Bend  of  the  Truckee  (Camp  12),  August  17, 1867.  18|— 42— 13— 
11 — II — 2J — 9— 6J.    Same  remarks. 

367,  9  juv.;  Truckee  Eeservation,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  December  21, 1867.  20^ — 
44— 15— 12J.    Iris,  dull  fulvous. 


KISUS  COOPERI— N.  FUSCUS.  581 

NiSUS   COOPERI. 
Cooper's  Hawk. 

Falco  cooperi,  Bonap  ,  Am,  Orn,,  I,  1828,  pi.  x,  fig.  1. 

Accipiter  cooperi,  De  Kay/ZooI.  K  Y.,  II,  1844,  18,  pi.  iv,  fig.  5.— Oassin,  in 

Baird'8  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  16.— Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  15.— 

Cooper,  Orn.  Gal.,  I,  464— Ooues,  Key,  1872,  212;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  ' 

339;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  334. 
Msus  cooperi,  SCHJLEa.,  Rev.  Ace,  1873,  73.— RipGWAY,  in  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N. 

Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  230.— Henshaw,  1875,  418. 
Accipiter  mexicanusj  Swains.,  Fiiuna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  45. — Oassin,  Baird's  B. 

N.  Am.,  1858, 17.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  16.— Cooper,  Oru.  Cal., 

I,  1870,  465. 
Nisus  cooperi  var.  mexicanus^  RiDGW.,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  May,  1873, 

19.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874,  231. 

This  daring  depredator  was  more  or  less  common  in  all  localities  where 
small  birds  abounded,  but  it  was  far  from  numerous  anywhere.  It  was 
most  often  seen  sailing,  with  the  long  tail  widely  expanded,  in  broad 
circles  over  the  thickets  which  sheltered  its  prey.  The  specimen  in  the 
collection  was  shot  while  soaring  thus  over  an  aspen  copse,  and  came  whirl- 
ing to  the  ground;  but  being  merely  winged,  made  for  the  thicket  by  vig- 
orous leaps,  and  would  have  escaped  but  for  a  second  charge.  In  other 
portions  of  the  country,  particularly  in  the  fertile  canons  of  the  East  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  it  was  often  observed  chasing,  with  its  swift,  rushing 
flight,  a  fleeing  Robin*  or  Flicker. 

List  of  specimens. 
240,  $^To.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  19),  October  8,  1867.    14f— 26§— 
81 — 0§ — J— 1||— 7 — 4J.    Bill,  pale  blue  on  the  basal  third,  dull  black  terminally;  cere 
and  rictus,  yellowish-green;  iris,  light  chrome-yellow f  tarsi  and  toes,  lemon-yellow, 
with  a  slight  tinge  of  green ;  claws,  slate  black. 

NiSUS  FUSCUS. 

Sharp- shinned  Hawk* 

Falcofuscusj  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1788,  283. 

Accipiter  fuscus,  Bonap., Conjp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 5. — Cassin,  in  Baird's  B.  N.Am., 
1858, 18.— Baied,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  17.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 
466.— CouES,  Key,  1872, 212 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  338 ;  Birds  N. W.,1874, 333. 

Nisus  fuscus,  Kaup,  Jardiue's  Contr.  Orn,,  1850,  64,  281.— Einaw.,  in  B.  B.  &  K, 
Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874, 224— Henshaw,  1875,  417.^ 

This  miniature  of  Cooper's  Hawk  was  observed  only  in  thei  Upper 


58^  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Humboldt  Valley,  where  it  was  common  in  September  along  the  streams 

flowing  from  the  Clover  Mountains.     The  specimen  obtained  had  been 

chasing  a  small  bird  through  a  very  dense  thicket,  but  losing  sight  of  thd 

fugitive,  alighted  upon  a  twig  within  a  few  feiet  of  us. 

List  of  specimens.  ^ 

017,  9juv.;  Ui»per  Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  24),  September  10,  1868.  13J— 
24^ — (?) — 6J.  Bill,  blaok,  growing  gradually  pale  bluish  basally  ;  cere  and  angle  of  the 
mouth, yellowish-green;  iris,  sulphur-yellow;  tarsi  and  toes,  rich  lemon-yellow;  claws, 
jet-black. 

BUTEO  LINEATUS. 

»  Red-sliauldered  Hawk. 

j3.  elegans — Bed-breasted  Hawk 

Buteo  eleganSy  GASsm^Fr,  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1855,  281;  Baird's  B.  K  Am., 
1858,  28.~Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  25.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  1, 1870, 
477. 

Buteo  Ihieatus  var.  elegans^  Eidoway,  in  Coues'  Check  List,  1873,  No.  352a;  in 
B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874,  277. 

Buteo  Uneatusj  CouES,  Key,  1872,  216  (part). 

This  handsome  Hawk  was  seen  only  in  the  Sacramento  Valley,  where 
it  was  rather  common  among  the  trees  near  the  river. 

Buteo  boeealis/ 

Red-tailed  Hawk. 

^.  calurm — Bushy  Bed-tail, 

Buteo  calurusj  CASSIN,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1855,  281 ;  Baird^s  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  22.— Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  20.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
471. 

Buteo  borealis  var.  caluruSy  RinawAY,  in  Coues'  Check  List,  1873,  No.  351a;  in 
B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874,  236.— Henshaw,  1875,  423. 

Buteo  borealis,  b.  calurusy  CouES,  B,  N.W.,  1874, 352. 

Buteo  montanusj  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1856,  39;  Baird's  B.  N.  Am., 

1858,  26  (not  of  Nuttaxl,  18iO,=B.  swainsonij, — Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B., 

1859,  No.  24.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870^  469. 

The  Red-tailed  Hawk  was  a  very  common  species  in  all  wooded  local- 
ities of  the  Interior.     It  was  especially  abundant  during  the  winter  among 

^  Other  western  races  of  this  Hawk  are  y,  lucasanus^  Einaw.,  of  Cape  St.  Lucas, 
and  d.  krideri^  HooPES,  of  the  Great  Plains,  from  Minnesota  to  Texas.  B.  harlani^ 
AuD.,  and  B,  cooperi,  Cass.,  are  allied  but  apparently  distinct  species. 


BUTEO  CALURUS.  583 

the  cotton-woods  of  the  Truckee  and  Carson  Valleys,  where  we  found  it 
quite  unsuspicious  and  easily  killed.  During  the  summer  it  was  much  less 
abundant  in  the  lower  valleys  than  Swainson's  Hawk,  but  it  was  more 
common  on  the  mountains,  particularly  in  the  pine  forests.  .  On  the  Wah- 
satch,  w^e  saw  several  of  its  nests  on  tall  pine  trees  or  on  ledges  of  the  cliffs, 
most  of  them  being  inaccessible,  in  which  respect  this  species  differs  con- 
spicuously from  the  B,  swainsoni^  which  in  the  same  region  was  found  to 
bviild  its  nest  on  the  top  of  the  scrub-oaks  or  in  the  small  aspens,  within 
easy  reach. 

The  series  of  specimens  in  the  collection  exhibits  the  usual  individual 
variation  so  remarkable  to  the  western  birds  of  this  species,  there  being 
examples  so  light-colored  as  to  be  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  typical 
eastern  B,  horealis^  while  one  is  of  an  almost  uniform  deep  sooty-black,  the 
others  being  variously  intermediate.  As  was  the  case  with  B.  swainsoni,  the 
light  and  dark  individuals  were  often  found  paired,^ 

List  of  specimens. 

132,  9  ad,  (melanotic^  very  hlackj;  Big  Bend  of  the  Truckee  (Oarap  12),  Nevada, 
August  17,  1867.  23J— 54—16J  (moltiug).  Bill,  slate-black,  the  basal  half  of  the 
lower  raaiidible  bluish-slate;  cere,  dull  yellowish-green,  purest  on  top;  rictus,  more 
yellow;  iris,  muddy  paples-yellow ;  tarsi  aud  toes,  dull  pale  greenish-yellow;  claws 
black. 

337,  9  ad  (melanotic^  rufous-hreasied  style);  Genoa,  Nevada,  November  29,  1867. 
23J— 55— 17— 14— 1/^— 2— 9i— 5^.  Weight,  ^  pounds.  Bill,  dull  black,  passing  into 
pale  bluish  basally ;  cere  aud  rictus,  light  dull  ashy-green ;  iris,  deep  hazel ;  tarsi  and 
toes  pale  dull  naples-yellow;  claws,  black. 

347,  $  ad,;  Truckee  Reservation,  December  10,  1867.  21|— 51§—16--13J— IJ— 
C?)— 9— 5.  Weight,  2  pounds.  Bill,  dull  black,  fading  into  dull  light  bluish  basally; 
cere  and  rictus,  dull  greenish-yellow;  iris,  deep  light  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  very  dull 
light  chrome-yellow,  deeper  beneath. 

351,^(7(7.;  same  locality,  December  11,  1867.  21J— 49— 15§— 122— l^^g— (?}— -Of 
— 5J.  Weight,  2^  pounds.  Bill,  black,  fading  basally  into  light  horn-drab;  basal  half 
of  the  lower  mandible,  pale  blue;  cere  and  rictus,  clear  light  yellowish igrcen ;  iris, 

^  There  being  many  who  yet  hold  the  old  belief  that  this  dark  phase,  found  in  so 
many  species  of  Falconidae,  is  in  some  manner  dependent  on  age^  we  wish  to  impress 
our  readers  with  the  fact  that  it  is  a  purely  individual  condition,  entirely  independent  of 
age,  sex^  or  season;  it  is  properly  styled  melanism^  and  is  analogous  to  the  condition  of 
erythrism  in  certain  owls.  In  every  American  species  which  has  this  fuliginous  pla- 
mage,  the  dark  birds  are  dusky  from  the  nest  up;  while  those  in  light  plumage  never 
assume  the  dark  dress.    This  is  probably  the  case  with  the  Old  World  species  also. 


584  ORNITHOLOGY. 

naplesyellow,  tlie  lower  two-thirds  with  a  brownish  suffusion ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull 
light  naples-yellow,  with  a  slight  greenish  tinge. 

352,  9  ad,;  same  locality  and  date.  23—57^ — 17|— 14^— l^^g — (f)_10— 5|. 
Weight,  3:1  pounds.    Iris,  deep  light  brown,  the  upper  third  naples-yellow. 

353,  ?  ad.;  same  locality,  December  13,  1867.  23— 54— 17— 13§— 1^?^— (!)— 9|— 
5J.    Weight,  3  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

354,  $  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  22— 53— 16J— 135— IJ— (?)— 9^— 5J.  Weight, 
2^  pounds.    Iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  light  chrome-yellow. 

355,  $  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  22^—52— 16— 13— l^—C?)  -  9— 5J.  Weight, 
2i  pounds.  Iris,  deep  light  hazel,  naples-yellow  above;  tarsi  and  toes,  dull  greenish 
naples-yellow. 

356,  ?  ad.;  same  locality,  December  14,  1867.  24— 55— 17J— 14^— l^^— (?)— 10^ 
— 6.     Weight,  4  pounds.    Same  remarks  as  to  No.  352. 

361,  <?  ad.;  same  locality,  December  18, 1807.  22— 50f — 16— 13^- IjL— '(?)— 10— 
5.     Weight,  3  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

418,  $jm.;  San  Francisco,  California,  February  11,  1868.  "20|— 49|— (f)— 13. 
Eye,  bright  yellow."    (Presented  by  Mr,  H.  G.  Parker.) 

1502,  ¥  JMV.;  Echo  Canon,  Utah,  July  29, 1869.  23—51.  Collected  by  J.  C.  01m- 
stead. 

BUTEO   SWAINSONI. 

ISwainson^s  Hawk. 

Buteo  swainsoni^  BoNAP.,  Comp.  and  Geog.  List,  1838,  3. — Cassin,  Baird's  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  19.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  18.— Cooper, 

Orn.  Cal.,  I,  476.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  217  5  Check  List,  1873,  No.  354^  Birds 

N.W.,  1874, 355.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874, 263.— Henshaw, 

1875,  421. 
Buteo  hairdiij  IIoY,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1853, 451  {Young), — Cassin,  Baird's 

Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  21.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  19. 
Buteo  imignatusj  Cassin,  Illustr.  Birds  Cal.,  Tex.,  &c ,  1854,  102, 198,  pL  xxxi, 

(melanotic);  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  23. — Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds, 

1859,  No.  21.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  474. 
Buteo  oxypterm,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1855,  283  (Young);  Baird^s 

Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  30.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  28.— Cooper, 

Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  480. 
Buteo  swainsoni  var.  oxypteruSy  EiDGW.,  in  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III, 

1874,  266. 
^' Buteo  harlani,^^  Bryant,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  N.  H.,  1861, 116.— Cooper,  Orn  Cal., 
X  1870,  473  (part)  [not  B.  harlani^  AUD.]. 

Swainson's  Buzzard  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  of  the  lar^e  Hawks 
of  the  Interior,  but  it  seemed  to  be  less  common  in  winter  than  in  summer. 
It  appeared  to  be  most  numerous  in  the  valleys,  but  it  was  nevertheless 
far  from  rare  on  the  lower  slopes  of  the  mountains,  as  well  as  in  the 
parks.     Our  observations  in  the  field  tended  from  the  very  first  to  confirm 


BCTEO  SWAINSONI.  585 

the  theory  advanced  by  Dr.  Bryant/  that  the  several  supposed  species 
described  by  Mr.  Cassin  under  the  names  of  B,  bairdi,  Hoy,  B,  insignatuSj 
Cassin,  and  B.  swainsoni,  Bonap,,  were  merely  different  plumages  of  one 
species,  the  very  first  specimens  obtained  by  us  being  a  family  of  four 
young,  with  their  parents,  the  former  being  B.  bairdi,  while  of  the  latter 
the  male  was  a  very  light-colored,  or  extremely  typical,  B,  swainsoni,  and 
the  female  a  very  extreme  example  of  B.  insicjnatus!  Similar  cases  were 
often  observed  afterward,  the  plumage  of  the  adults  being  sometimes  re- 
versed— that  is,  a  male  in  the  plumage  of  the  so-called  insignatm  being 
sometimes  paired  with  a  very  light-colored  female. 

The  family  mentioned  above  was  first  observed  on  the  26th  of  July, 
while  we  were  hunting  among  the  cotton- woods  of  the  lower  Truckee  Valley. 
Our  attention  was  attracted  by  a  peculiar  squealing  cry,  not  before  heard 
by  us,  and  upon  emerging  from  the  willows  and  looking  across  the  open 
meadow  we  observed  among  the  trees  on  the  opposite  side  several  large 
Hawks,  one  of  which  was  feeding  a  young  one  in  a  nest  in  the  top  of  a  tall 
cotton-wood.  We  then  approached  this  tree  under  cover  of  the  willows, 
but  upon  arriving  there  found  that  the  old  Hawk  had  gone  after  more  food 
for  its  young,  three  of  which  were  in  the  trees  on  the  opposite  side  of  a 
deep  and  wide  slough  which  we  were  unable  to  cross.  We  then  shot  the 
one  in  the  nest,  as  it  looked  over  the  edge  at  us ;  but,  as  it  did  not  fall, 
found  it  necessary  to  ascend  the  tree,  w^iich  was  easily  done.  The  nest 
was  very  similar  to  that  of  other  Buteones,  being  composed  almost  entirely 
of  sticks,  but  appeared  rather  small  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  measuring  but 
about  two  feet  in  diameter  by  one  foot  in  thickness.  We  found  it  so  filled 
with  the  accumulated  remains  of  animals  caiTied  to  the  young  that  scarcely 
any  depression  was  noticeable  on  the  top,  the  decomposing  rubbish  con- 
sisting of  bones  and  other  remnants  of  small  hares  {Lepus  artemisia)j 
ground  squirrels  (Spermophilus  lateralis,  S.  harrisi,  and  Tamias  quadrivUtatus)y 
and,  strange  to  say,  a  full-grown  young  Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  sparverius). 
We  had  scarcely  reached  the  nest  before  the  male  arrived,  and  flying 
about  us  uttered  plaintive  cries,  of  a  mewing  character,  somewhat  like  the 

^''Remarks  on  the  Variations  of  Plumage  of  Buteo  borealiSj  AuOT.,  and  Buteo 
harlani,  AuD."    Proc.  Bost.  8oc.  Nat.  Hist.,  VIII,  1861,  pp.  107-119. 


586  ORNITHOLOGY. 

notes  of  -R  lineatus,  but  less  loud  and  more  monotonous.  Three  days 
afterward  this  family  was  again  met  with,  and  the  three  remaining  young 
immediately  secured;  but  the  parent  birds  were  not  so  easily  killed,  for, 
although  they  received  several  charges  of  dust  shot,  as  they  courageously 
flew  about  us,  they  were  far  tougher  than  their  young.  The  female  was 
brought  down  first,  when  the  male  only  increased  in  courage  and  clamor, 
until  he,  too,  was  killed. 

On  the  Truckee  Reservation  a  nest  of  this  species  was  found  in  a 
large  cotton-wood  tree,  and  tlie  female  (No.  771)  shot  from  it.  This  nest 
w^as  built  near  the  extremity  of  a  large  drooping  brancli,  and  was  conse- 
quently inaccessible;  by  climbing  above  it,  however,  the  eggs,  two  in  num- 
ber, could  be  seen,  but  it  was  found  impossible,  under  the  circumstances, 
to  secure  them.  Many  other  nests  were  discovered  in  this  locality,  but 
they  w^ere  in  the  ordinary  position,  viz,  in  a  fork  of  a  tall  tree.  In  Parley's 
Park,  on  the  Wahsatch  Mountains,  Swainson's  Hawk  was  common,  and 
many  nests  were  found  among  the  scrub-oaks  on  the  slopes  or  on  small 
aspens  on  the  sides  of  the  ravines.  Their  position  was  always  low  down, 
often  merely  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  and  easily  reached  without  climb- 
ing. In  one  of  these  nests,  found  July  2d,  was  a  single  young  one, 
which,  although  yet  covered  with  snow-white  cottony  down,  was  savagely 
tearing  at  a  dead  weasel  which  had  been  carried  to  the  nest  by  the  old 
birds,  both  of  which  were  killed;  of  these,  the  male  is  a  remarkably  light- 
colored  example,  the  entire  lower  parts,  including  the  under  side  of  the 
wings,  being  pure  white,  the  breast  covered  by  a  broad  patch  of  uniform 
cinnamon-rufous,  while  the  female,  on  the  other  hand,  is  one  of  the  darkest 
examples  of  the  species  we  ever  saw,  being  of  a  uniform  sooty-black,  only 
the  under  tail  coverts  being  slightly  barred  with  whitish. 

The  food  of  this  Hawk  is  by  no  means  confined  to  small  mammals 
and  birds,  but  during  the  flights  of  the  grasshoppers,  which  so  often  devas- 
tate the  fields  of  Utah  and  other  portions  of  the  West,  they  keep  continu- 
ally gorged  on  these  insects;  and  at  one  season  we  found  them  living 
chiefly  on  the  large  cricket  so  common  in  the  Salt  Lake  Valley.  On  the 
31st  of  May,  1869,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  we  noticed  a  number  of  these  Hawks 
on  the  ground,  where  they  remained  most  of  the  time  quiet,  but  every  now 


.     BUTEO  SWAINSONI.  587 

and  then  they  would  raise  their  wings  and  hop  briskly  in  pursuit  of  some 
object,  which,  at  the  distance,  we  could  not  distinguish.  Cautiously  ap- 
proaching them,  four  were  shot  during  the  forenoon;  they  would  not  allow 
us  to  wallc  to  within  gunshot,  but  after  flying  for  a  few  minutes  would 
sometimes  return  toward  us,  and,  passing  by,  give  us  a  fair  opportunity  for 
wing-shot^.  Upon  dissection,  the  stomachs  of  these  specimens  were  found 
to  be  filled  entirely  with  the  large  crickets  mentioned  above. 

At  our  camp  in  Parley  Park  we  reared  four  young  birds  of  this  species, 
which  were,  taken  from  their  nests  while  in  the  downy  state.  As  they  grew 
up  under  our  care  they  became  very  pleasing  pets,  being  exceedingly  docile, 
and  much  attached  to  those  who  fed  them.  When  sufficiently  old  to  uso 
their  wings  they  showed  no  disposition  to  leave,  although  they  were 
cillowed  full  liberty  all  the  while;  and  though  they  made  frequent  tours  of 
inspection  over  the  neighboring  meadows,  and  occasional  foraging  excur- 
sions among  the  flocks  of  Blackbirds  {Scolecophagiis  cyanocephalus)  Avhicli 
frequented  the  vicinity,  they  seldom  went  far  away,  and  always  returned 
after  a  short  absence.  They  were  fed  principally  upon  bits  of  fresh  beef 
and  mutton,  varied  occasionally  by  the  carcasses  of  birds  we  had  skinned. 
Their  chief  amusement  about  camp  consisted  in  chasing  grasshoppers  over 
the  ground,  which  they  pursued  by  leaping  after  them,  with  the  wings 
extended;  but  when  not  engaged  in  this  occupation  they  usually  perched 
quietly  upon  the  fence  near  by  or  upon  the  tents. 

List  of  specimens, 

109,  $  jm.;  Big  Bend  of  the  Trackee  (Camp  12),  Nevada,  Juty  2G,  1867.  16^— 
45 — 13— lOJ — 1 — 1| — 6J — 3.  Bill,  dull  black,  incliniug  to  pale  blue  on  the  rictus  and 
on  the  basal  half  of  the  lower  mandible;  cere,  pale  yellowish  green j  iris,  cinereous, 
with  a  brownish  outer  wash ;  tarsi  and  toes,  very  pale  ashy-green. 

113,  9  ad.  (fuUginous  plumage,  parent  of  Nos.  109,  115,  116,  and  117);  Gamp  12, 
July  29,  1867.  21^— 53— 17— U~l— 2— 8§— 5.  Weight,  2J  pounds.  Bill,  slateblack, 
light  blue  basally;  cere  and  rictus,  pure  light  yellow;  iris,  deep  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes, 
light  chrome-yellow^;  claws,  black, 

114,  $  ad.  {normal  plumage,  mate  of  the  preceding)^  Camp  12,  July  29,  1867. 
19|_48— 16— 12g— If— Ig— 7^— 4J.  Weight,  IJ  pounds.  Cere  and  rictus,  light  dull 
lemon-yellow;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  chrome-yellow;  iris,  deep  hazel. 

115,  9  juv.;  Camp  12,  July  29,  1867.  19J^47— U-ll— 1|— 1|— 7J— 3|. 
Weight,  2  pounds.    Same  regiarks  as  to  No.  109. 


588  ORNITHOLOGY. 

116,  S  juv.;  Camp  12,  July  29,  1867.  19§— 45^133— 10f—| 5—1^—7—32, 
Weight,  If  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

117,  S  juv.,  Camp  12,  July  29,  1867.  184— 433— 124—92— |^—l^—Ga--4 J. 
Weight,  IJ  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

771,  9  ad.  (intermediate  plumage,  barred  ochraceous  heUy) ;  Truckee  Reservation, 
May  29, 1868.  (IShot  from  nest.)  21^— 52— 16J— 13^.  Weight,  3  pounds.  Bill,  deep 
black,  the  upper  mandible  scarcely  paler  basally,  lower  with  the  basal  third  palo 
blue 5  cere  and  rictus,  greenish-gamboge;  iris,  burnt-sienna;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  gam- 
boge, with  a  greenish  tinge. 

1072,  9  ad.  [normal plumage,  immaculate  white  belly) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May 
31,  1869.  21 — 53.  Weight,  2J  pounds.  Bill,  slate-black,  becoming  light  slate-blue 
basally;  cere  and  rictns,  greenish  gamboge;  naked  eyebrow,  olive-yellow;  iris,  deep 
line  ha^el;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  chrome- j^ellow.    (Stomach  tilled  with  grasshoppers.) 

1073,  ?  ad.  {normal  plumage^  immaculate  ichite  belly);  same  locality  and  date. 
2U — 53.    Weight,  2 J  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

1074,  9  ad.  {normal  plumage,  immaculate  white  belly) ;  same  locality  and  date. 
22 --^K    Weight,  2J  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

1075,  9  dd.  {normal  plumage,  immaculate  white  belly);  same  locality  and  date. 
211 — 54.    Weight,  2^  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

1291,  i  ad.  {normal  plumage);  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  25,  1869.  20—50. 
Weight,  24  pounds.  Upper  mandible,  deep  black,  scarcely  bluish  basally;  lower,  with 
basal  third,  light  blue;  cere  and  rictus,  greenish-gamboge;  iris,  burnt-sienna,  yellow- 
ish on  top;  eyebrow,  olivaceous;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  light  chrome-yellow. 

1310,  c^  ad.  {normal  plumage);  Parley's  Park,  June  26,  1869.  19J — 48.  Same 
remarks. 

1322,  fragment  of  egg.    Parley's  Park,  June  27,  1869. 

1335,  9  ad.  {fuliginous  plumage);  Parley's  Park,  June  28,  1869.  22—56—17. 
Weight,  3 J  pounds.  Bill,  black,  pale  blue  basally;  cere  and  rictus,  greenish  lemon- 
yellow;  iris,  deep  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  chrome-yellow. 

1359,  i  ad.  {normal  plumage,  very  white);  Parley's  Park,  July  2,  1869.  20 — 50^. 
Same  remarks. 

1360,  ?  ad.  {fuliginous  plumage,  very  black;  mate  of  the  preceding! );  Parley's  Park, 
July  2,  1869.    21—51^.    Weight,  2J  pounds.    Same  remarks. 

1501,  9  jnv.;  Parley's  Park,  August  10,  1869.  21— 50f.  Bill,  black,  becoming 
pale  blue  basally;  cere  and  rictus,  fine  yellowish-green;  iris,  yellowish-brown 5  tarsi 
and  toes,  light  chrome-yellow. 


AROHIBUTEO  SANCTI-JOHANNIS.  589 

Aechibuteo   LAGOPUS. 

Roug^h-legi^ed  Hawk* 

13,  sa7icti'johannis, 

{Ma' 'hoo-ehk  and  Ma' -ede-han-ah' -ehk  of  the  Washoes;  Assut'te-Queh-naJ}! 
of  the  Paiutes;  Pe' aJi-Gueh-naK  of  the  Shoshones  ) 

Falco  sancti-johannis,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  273. 

Archihuteo  sancti-johannis,  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds, .  — Cassin,  Baird's  Birds 

K  Am.,  1858,  33.— Baied,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  31.— Cooper,  Orn. 
CaL,  I,  1870,  485. 

Archihuteo  lagopus  var.  sancti-joliannis,  RiDawAY,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Set.  Pbilad.,  1870, 
142.— CoiTES,  Key,  1872,  218;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  356;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 
3G1.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  304.— Eenshaw,  1875,  425. 

Archibuteo  lagopus,  Cassin,  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  32  (not  of  Gray,  ex 
Brunn,  17G4).— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  30.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal., 
I,  1870,  483. 

This  common  species  was  observed  nearly  everywhere  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  fertile  valleys.  It  appears  to  be  resident  in  western  Nevada,  for  it 
was  extremely  abundant  in  July  at  the  Truckee  Meadows,  where  during 
the  day  half  a  dozen  or  more  were  often  noticed  at  one  time  sailing  in  broad 
circles  over  the  meadows.  The  flight  of  this  Hawk  is  extremely  similar 
to  that  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  a  fact  which  probably  explains  why  the 
Indians  class  it  with  the  Eagles  instead  of  with  the  Hen  Hawks  (Buteo)} 
Most  of  those  seen  were  in  the  light-colored,  or  normal,  phase  of  plumage  ; 
in  fact,  but  one  individual  was  seen  which  might  have  been  the  black  ph^se 
of  this  species,  although  it  is  by  no  means  certain  it  was  not  an  adirlt  spec- 
imen of  Buteo  dbhreviatus?  This  specimen  was  seen  in  the  latter  part  of 
February,  high  overhead,  sailing  in  a  direct  line  from  the  eastward  toward 
the  SieiTa  Nevada.  Its  color  was  an  intense  black,  relieved  by  a  conspic- 
uous white  patch  under  the  primaries  and  several  distinct  bands  of  the  same 

across  the  tail. 

List  of  specimens. 

348,  ^juv.;  Truckee  Reservation,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  December  9,  1867.  23J — 
56 — 18| — 15 — 1  j\ — (?) — 10— 5J.    Bill,  deep  black,  becoming  pale  blue  on  the  basal  half 

^  See  Indian  names  above,  and  compare  with  those  of  Aquila  canadensis  (page  590). 
^  Buteo  zonocerciiSy  Scl.,  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  p.  272. 


590  ORNITHOLOGY. 

of  the  lower  mandible,  and  on  the  base  of  the  upper,  below  the  cere ;  core  and  rictus, 
light  yellowish -green ;  naked  eyebrow,  plumbeous;  iris,  deep  light-hazel;  toes,  pure 
light  lemon-yellow ;  claws,  deep  black. 

Archibuteo  FEERUGINEUS. 

Squirrel  Hawk. 

Buteo  ferrugineuSy  LiCHT.,  Tr.  Berlin  Acad.,  1838,  429. 

Archibuteo  ferrugineuSy  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  ,  — ,  pi.  VI  (name  A.  regalia 

on  plate).— Cassin,  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  34.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1859,  No.  33.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  482.— Coues,  Key,  1872, 

218;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  357 ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  363.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  300.— Henshaw,  1875,  425. 

This  magnificent  Hawk,  which  Dr.  Coues  justly  calls  the  ** handsomest 
of  the  North  American  Falconidse,'^  was  much  less  frequently  seen  than  its 
relative,  the  common  Rough-leg  {A,  sancti-johannis).  The  few  observed 
were  sailing  majestically  overhead,  describing  broad  circles,  and  resembling 
the  Golden  Eagle  in  the  manner  of  their  flight.  At  such  times  it  may  be 
immediately  distinguished  from  A,  sancti-johannis  by  the  snowy  white  of 
its  lower  plumage,  which,  as  seen  from  below,  is  the  predominating  color 
of  the  bird. 

Aquila  CHEYSAETOS. 

Golden  Eagrte. 

/?.  canadensis, 

(T^oh'taM Ang-elik  of  the  Washoes ;  Qmh-nahf  of  the  Paiutes  ;  Gueh^-nah  of 

the  Shoshenes.) 

Falco  canadensis,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1753,  88. 

Aquila  canadensis^  Cassin,  Baird's  Birds  N,  Am.,  1858,  41. — Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1859,  No.  39.— Coopee,  Orn.  Gal.,  1, 1870,  449. 
Aquila  chrysaetos  var.  canadensis^  EinawAY,  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill, 

1874,  314.— Henshaw,  1875,  426. 
Aquila  chrysaetos,  Coues,  Key,  1872,  219;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  361;  Birds  N.W., 

1874,368. 

The  magnificent  Golden  Eagle  is  an  almost  daily  sight  in  the  mount- 
ain-regions of  the  Interior.  At  Carson  City  we  scarcely  ever  went  anaong 
the  hills  without  seeing  it,  soaring  about,  generally  in  pairs,  overhead.  We 
first  met  with  it  in  July,  1867,  near  the  summit  of  the  western  slope  of  the 


AQUILA  CANADENSIS.  591 

Sierra  Nevada;  afterward,  it  was  continually  observed  on  all  the  high 
ranges  to  the  eastward,  such  as  the  Toyabe  and  the  West  and  East  Hum- 
boldt, being  particularly  common  among  the  rocky  heights  of  the  latter. 
At  Camp  19,  on  the  last-named  mountains,  on  the  29th  of  July,  we  were  so 
fortunate  as  to  witness  the  chase  and  capture  of  a  Sage-Hen  (Centrocercus 
urophasianus)  by  a  pair  of  these  Eagles.  We  were  standing  a  few  yards  in 
the  rear  of  a  tent,  when  our  attention  was  arrested  by  a  rushing  noise,  and 
upon  looking  up  the  slope  of  the  mountain  we  saw  flying  down  its  wooded 
side,  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow,  a  Sage-Hen,  pursued  by  two  Eagles. 
The  Hen  was  about  twenty  yards  in  advance  of  her  pursuers,  exerting  her- 
self to  the  utmost  to  escape ;  her  wings,  from  their  rapid  motion,  being 
scarcely  visible.  The  Eagles  in  hot  pursuit  (the  larger  of  the  two  leading), 
followed  every  undulation  of  the  fugitive's  course,  steadily  lessening  the  dis- 
tance between  them  and  the  object  of  their  pursuit;  their  wings  not  moving, 
except  when  a  slight  inclination  was  necessary  to  enable  them  to  follow  a 
curve  in  the  course  of  the  fugitive.  So  intent  were  they  in  the  chase  that 
they  passed  within  twenty  yards  of  us.  They  had  scarcely  gone  by,  how- 
ever, when  the  Sage-Hen,  wearied  by  her  continued  exertion,  and  hoping, 
probably,  to  conceal  herself  among  the  bushes,  dropped  to  the  ground ;  but 
no  sooner  had  she  touched  it  than  she  was  immediately  snatched  up  by  the 
foremost  of  her  relentless  pursuers,  who,  not  stopping  in  its  flight,  bore  the 
prize  rapidly  toward  the  rocky  summits  of  the  higher  peaks,  accompanied 
by  its  mate.  Some  moments  later,  we  again  saw  them  soaring  overhead, 
describing  circles  as  they  rose  higher  and  higher,  when,  taking  a  direct 
course  for  some  distant  range,  they  disappeared  from  view.  At  the  Over- 
land Ranche,  in  Ruby  Valley,  one  of  these  powerful  birds  was  in  captiv- 
ity; he  was  one  of  the  largest  size,  and  a*  truly  noble-looking  creature.  He 
was  kept  tied  to  a  horizontal  pole,  which  served  him  for  a  perch,  in  a  kind 
of  bower  constructed  of  green  branches ;  none  but  his  keeper  could  handle 
him,  and  every  motion  of  a  person  who  approached  was  followed  by  the 
quick  fiery  glance  of  his  watchful  eye,  which  did  not  permit  even  the 
slightest  movement  to  pass  unobserved.  Specimens  of  the  '^  Mountain- 
Eagle,"  as  this  bird  is  there  called,  may  be  found  in  captivity  in  almost  any 
settlement  in  the  mountain-regions  of  the  West. 


592  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Haliaetus  LEUCOCEPHALUS. 

Bald  £airlc« 

Faleo  leucocephahiSy  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat,  ij  1766,  124. 

Haliaetus  lettcocephalusy  SAViaNY.— Cuv.,  llhg.  An.,  ed.  2,  I,  1817,  326.— Cassin 
Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  43.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  43.— 
Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  451.— Coues,  Key,  1872,  219;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  362;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  369.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  HI,  1874, 
326.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  427. 

The  Bald  Eagle  was  met  with  only  in  the  neighborhood  of  Pyramid 
Lake,  where  it  was  rare.  One  individual  was  seen  some  thirty  or  forty 
miles  from  the  lake,  in  the  pass  of  the  Truckee  River  through  the  Virginia 
Mountains;  it  was  an  adult,  and  was  flying  along  the  stream.  In  August, 
.1867,  when  we  visited  the  main  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker 
pointed  out  to  us  the  nest  of  a  pair  of  these  Eagles  which  had  been  occupied 
the  preceding  season.  This  nest  was  placed  inside  an  oven-like  cave  about 
half-way  up  the  side  of  the  perpendicular  rocks  which  formed  this  portion 
of  the  shore.  The  entrance  was  about  fifteen  feet  from  the  top  of  the  rock, 
and  the  same  distance  from  the  water,  so  it  was  inaccessible  by  anj^  means 
then  at  command;  but  it  could  be  plainly  seen  by  looking  through  a  crevice 
in  the  top  of  the  rock.  This  nest  was  a  huge  bed  of  coarse  sticks  laid  on 
the  floor  of  the  cave,  and  scattered  about  were  the  bones  of  numerous 
animals  which  were  carried  as  food  to  the  young.  Mr.  Parker  remarked 
that  on  a  former  visit  to  the  island  the  nest  was  occupied,  and  that  he  had 
seen  the  owners  destroy  the  nest  of  a  pair  of  wild  geese  {Branta  canadensis) 
which  had  been  established  on  the  ground  near  by.  The  nest  had  doubtless 
been  abandoned  in  consequence  of  frequent  visits  to  the  island  by  persons 
who  came  after  Gull's  eggs. 

Elanus  leucueus. 

White-tailed  Kite. 

Milvus  leticurus,  Vibillot,  Nouv.  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat,  XX,  1816,  656. 

Manns  leucurus^  BoNiP.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  4— Cassin,  Baird's  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  37.— Baied,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  35.— COOPEB,  Orn. 

Oal.,  I,  1870,  488,    CoUES,  Key,  1872,  211 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  336.— B.  B. 

&  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  198. 

We  did  not  see  this  species,  but  it  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  a 


PANDION  OAEOLESTENSIS— BHINOGRTPHUS  AURA.  593 

fine  specimen  presented  by  Mr.  Parker,  and  obtained  by  that  gentleman  in 
the  neighborhood  of  San  Francisco,  California,  where  it  is  said  to  be  a 
common  bird  in  the  marshy  tracts. 

List  of  specimens, 

421,  "  ?  ad.;  San  Francisco,  February  11, 1868.  16|— 42—?— llj.  Bill,  black ; 
eyes,  orange-red;  tarsi  and  toes,  yellow.'^    (Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker.) 

Pandion  HALIABTUS. 

Osprey;  Fisb-Hawk. 

/?.  carolinensis. 

Falco  carolinensis,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Kat.,  I,  1788,  263. 

Pandion  carolinensis^  BoNAP.,  Comp.  and  Geog.  List,  1838,  3. — Oasstn,  Baird's 

B.  IS.  Am.,  1858,  44— Baied,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  44.— COOPBB, 

Orn.  Oal.,  I,  1870,  454. 
Pandion  haliaetus  var.  carolinensis,  Rmaw.,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1870,  143  j 

in  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874,  184.— Henshaw,  1875,  415. 
Pandion  haliaetuSf  COUES,  Key,  1872,  219 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  360 ;  B.  N.W., 

1874,  367. 

The  Fish-Hawk,  Hke  the  Bald  Eagle,  was  seen  only  along  the  lower 
portion  of  the  Truckee  River,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  where  it  was  rather 
common  in  May.  It  no  doubt  bred  in  that  locality,  since  it  was  often 
observed  flying  up  the  river,  bearing  fish  in  its  talons,  as  if  going  to  its  nest. 

Family  OATHARTID^— American  Vultures. 
Rhinogryphus  aura. 

Turkey-Buzzard. 

{Ro'-shim  of  the  Washoes.) 

Vultur  aura,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766, 122. 

Caihartes  aura,  iLLiaEE,"*  Prodomus,  1811,  236. — Oassin,  in  Baird's  B.  N.  Am., 
1858,  4.— Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  1.— Ooopeb,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
602.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  222  j  Check  List,  1873,  No.  365;  B.N.W.,  1874,379. 

Rhinogryphus  aura,  RiDawAT,  in  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  B.,  Ill,  1874,  344.— 
Henshaw,  1875,  428. 

In  the  Sacramento  Valley,  the  Turkey-Buzzard  was  so  rare  that  not 
more  than  three  or  four  individuals  were  seen  during  the  entire  month  of 
38  PR 


594  ORNITHOLOGY. 

June,  these  being  observed  sailing  over  the  plains  toward  the  foot-hills  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada.  In  the  Interior,  however,  it  was  abundant  throughout 
the  summer,  when  it  was  found  in  nearly  all  localities;  but  during  the 
winter  months  they  seemed  to  have  all  retired  to  the  southward,  none 
having  been  seen  in  the  latitude  of  Carson  City  earlier  than  the  middle 
of  March.  It  was  more  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  Pyramid  Lake  than 
anywhere  else,  for  there  the  surf  cast  up  many  dead  fish,  thus  affording 
them  a  plentiful  supply  of  food.  At  this  place  they  were  almost  constantly 
seen  sailing  quite  low  along  the  shore  of  the  lake  searching  for  their  food. 
During  rainy  weather  we  frequently  observed  them  perched  among  the 
cotton-wood  trees  along  the  river  in  such  numbers  as  to  completely  cover 
the  branches.  Throughout  the  Interior  the  distribution  of  the  Turkey- 
Buzzard  was  so  general  that  it  might  be  met  with  in  any  sort  of  locality; 
thus,  on  the  19th  of  April  we  shot  a  fine  specimen  from  the  top  of  a  dead 
pine  in  a  ravine  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson  City,  the  spot  being  in 
the  midst  of  a  dense  forest,  while  on  the  29th  of  June  a  group,  consisting 
of  about  a  dozen  individuals,  was  seen  near  '*Sand  Springs"  Station,  on  the 
Carson  Desert,  and  one  of  them  killed  with  a  rifle.  They  had  collected 
about  a  small  pool  of  putrid  water  in  a  portion  of  the  desert  so  completely 
sterile  as  to  be  almost  devoid  of  even  the  usual  alkaline  shrubs.  Through- 
out the  country  to  the  eastward,  the  Turkey  Buzzard  was  continually  met 
with,  both  in  the  valleys  and  on  the  mountains,  and  at  all  elevations,  the 
latest  individual  of  the  season  being  seen  October  3d,  at  the  ^^City  of 
Rocks,"  in  southern  Idaho  (latitude  about  42^).  In  securing  No.  130  of 
the  collection,  we  went  to  an  amount  of  trouble  worthy  of  a  better  result. 
It  was  perched  upon  a  high  crag  of  the  northern  peak  of  the  island,  several 
hundred  feet  above  us,  but  even  at  this  distance  its  head  appeared  to  be 
partly  white,  as  if  there  might  be  a  ruff  of  feathers  of  this  color  across  the 
occiput ;  this  appearance  was  only  more  distinct  as  we  scanned  it  closely 
through  a  field-glass,  so  it  was  determined  to  secure  the  specimen  if  it  were 
possible  to  do  so.  We  accordingly  began  cHmbing  cautiously  toward  it, 
but  long  before  getting  within  range  it  flew.  We  kept  on,  however,  until 
arrived  nearly  to  the  spot  where  it  had  been  perched,  and  sitting  down  to 
rest,  had  remained  there  but  a  few  moments  when  it  was  observed  sailing 


COLUMBii  FASOIATA.  595 

slowly  back  again,  and  approaching  within  gunshot,  was  fired  at,  when  it 
fell  with  a  thump  on  the  rocks  below.  Other  individuals  similar  to  this  one 
were  seen  as  they  soared  majestically,  in  broad  circles,  about  the  higher, 
cliffs,  but  none  of  them  came  within  range.  Upon  descending  to  where 
our  supposed  prize  lay,  we  were  considerably  disappointed  to  find  it  but  the 
young  of  the  common  species,  its  peculiar  appearance  being  caused  by  a 
patch  of  dense  white  down  which  still  covered  the  occiput.  Upon  dissection, 
this  specimen  was  found  to  have  been  last  feeding  entirely  on  dead  fish. 

List  of  specimens, 

128,  S  ad.;  eastern  shore  of  Pyramid  Lake,  August  16,  1867.  27i— 69— 20J— 16J 
— l^Q — 2 — 11^ — 7^.  Bill,  chalk-white 5  iris,  raw-umber;  head  and  naked  portion  of 
the  neck,  livid  crimson,  deepest  on  the  forehead  and  occiput;  across  the  vertex,  from 
eye  to  eye,  a  broad  band  of  livid  whitish  papillse ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dirty  livid  yellowish- 
white. 

130,  9juv,;  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  August  16, 1867.  27|— 70i— 211—17—1  J— 
2 — 11^—7^.  Bill,  dull  black;  iris,  light  yellowish-brown  ;  head  and  naked  portion  of 
the  neck,  livid  brownish-black  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dirty  livid  ashy-white. 

Family  COLUMBID^— Pigeons  or  Doves. 

COLUMBA   FASCIATA. 
Bsind-tailed  Pig^eon. 

Columha  fasciataj  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  11,  1823,  10. — Baird,  Birds  K  Am.,  1858, 
597  J  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  445.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  606.— 
CouES,  Key,  1872,  225;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  367  ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  385.— 
B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  360,  pi.  lyii,  fig.  2.— Henshaw, 
1875,  429. 

On  the  19th  of  November,  1867,  we  saw  a  single  individual  of  what 

must  have  been  this  species,  flying  to  the  southward  over  the  Truckee 

Meadows.     Its  appearance  and  size  was  very  much  that  of  the  common 

House-Pigeon,  but,  from  the  manner  of  its  flight,  it  was  evidently  a  wild 

bird.     The  specimens  in  our  collection  were  presented  by  Mr.  Parker,  who 

obtained  them  in  the  neighborhood  of  San  Francisco. 

List  of  specimens. 

426,  '*?"  ad.;  "San  Francisco,  California,  January  31, 1868.  16— 26|— (?)— 7^V 
Bill,  yellow,  the  tip  black;  eye,  pink-red  ;  lids,  vermilion-red;  feet,  yellow." 

427,  '^i^  (f)  ad.;  *'  San  Francisco,  January  31, 1868.  15f— 26^— C?)-«74;'  Same 
remarks. 


596  OKNITHOLOOY. 

EOTOPISTES  MIGRATORIA. 
Passengfcr  Pig^eon. 

Golumba  migratoria,  LiNN.,  Sjst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  285. 

Uctopistes  migratoriaj  SWAINS.,  Zool.  Jour.,  Ill,  1827,  355. — Batrd,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  600;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  448.— Cooper,  Ora.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
509.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  225,  fig.  145;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  370;  Birds 
N.W.,  1874,  387.— B.  B.  &  B.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  308,  pi.  LVii, 
fig.  4. 

Only  a  stray  individual  of  this  species  was  met  witli  by  us,  and  it 
cannot  be  considered  as  more  than  an  occasional  straggler  in  the  country 
west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  The  specimen  obtained  flew  rapidly  past 
one  morning,  and  alighted  a  short  distance  from  us,  ujpon  a  stick  by  the 
edge  of  a  stream,  whither  it  had  probably  come  for  water.  Upon  dissec- 
tion it  was  found  to  have  been  feeding  upon  the  berries  of  a  small  cornel 
{Cornus  pubescens)^  which  grew  abundantly  in  the  mountains. 

List  of  specimens, 

179,  9  juv.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  18),  Nevada,  September  10, 1867. 
13^ — Slf— 7| — 6J — f — i—^^^ — 3.  Bill,  black,  the  rictus  pinkish;  iris,  brownish,  with 
a  narrow  outer  ring  of  carmine;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  livid  salmon-color,  the  scutellae 
more  brownish ;  claws,  blackish. 

Zen^dura  O^VEOLINENSIS. 

mourning  Dove. 

{Hung^ -O'ho' -ah  of  the  Washoes;   We-ho'-pe  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Oolumba  oarolinensis^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  286. 

Zenaidura  carolinensis^  Bonap.,  Consp.,  II,  1854,  84. — Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 
604;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  451.— COOPEB,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870,  512.— 
CouES,  Key,  1872,  226,  fig.  146;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  371;  Birds  N.W., 
1874,  389.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  383,  pi.  Lvm,  fig.2.— 
Henshaw,  1875,  431. 

Perhaps  no  bird,  not  even  the  Raven,  is  more  universally  distributed 
through  the  Interior,  without  regard  to  the  nature  of  the  country,  than  the 
common  Mourning  Dove,  and  certainly  none  is  more  abundant.  It  occurred 
about  the  corrals  of  the  stage-stations  in  the  midst  of  the  most  extensive 
deserts,  many  miles  from  any  cultivated  or  wooded  district,  or  natural 


ZENiEDURA  CAROLINBNSIS.  597 

water-courses,  while  it  was  also  met  with  oil  the  equally  barren  mountains 
and  plains  far  from  the  abode  of  man.  In  the  arid  portions  of  the  country, 
however,  it  is  far  less  common  than  in  the  fertile  localities,  where  it 
sometimes  literally  abounds.  Such  was  particularly  the  case  at  the  Truckee 
Meadows,  where  one  November  evening,  after  supper,  we  killed  over  tliirty 
specimens  for  the  *^pot,"  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  our  camp.  In  the 
Sacramento  Valley  it  was  no  less  abundant  than  in  the  Interior. 

List  of  specimens, 

31,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  Sacramento,  California,  June  11, 1867.  Nest  about  six  feet 
from  ground,  in  small  aspen,  in  copse. 

53,  nest  and  eggs  (2),»  Sacramento,  June  18,  1867.  Nest  in  oak-tree,  in  grove, 
about  fifteen  feet  from  ground. 

110,  nest  and  eggs  (2)^  Big  Bend  of  Truckee  (Camp  12),  Nevada,  July  26, 1867. 
Nest  on  the  arid  mesa,  two  miles  from  water,  on  tbe  ground,  beneath  a  sage-bush. 

112,  nest  and  eggs  (2)^  Camp  12,  July  29,  1867.  Same  locality  and  situation  as 
No.  110. 

192,  ?  jui?,;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Camp  19),  September  18, 1867.  lO^^g — 
17 — 6 — 5 — i — i| — 4i — 2J^.  Bill,  slate-black,  bluish-slate  at  base  5  rictus,  pinkish  j  iris, 
hazel ;  bare  eyelids,  bluish ;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  lake-red  ;  claws,  blackish. 

616,  <J  ad.;  Carson  City,  April  23,  1868.  12|— 171— 6-45.  Bill,  deep  black, 
becoming  slaty -bluish  on  the  soft  nasal  membrane  5  rictus  and  interior  of  mouth,  deep 
lake-redj  bare  orbital  region,  delicate  pale  blue,  with  a  greenish  tinge  beneath  the  eye; 
iris,  deep  sepia;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  lake  or  coral-red;  claws,  deep  black. 

786,  eggs  (2) ;  Virginia  Mountains,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  June  3,  1868.  Nest  on 
ground,  beneath  sage-bush,  on  side  of  ravine. 

1170,  eggs  (2) ;  Salt  Lake  City,  June  16,  1869.  Nest  on  ground,  beneath  sage- 
bush. 

1184,  nest  and  eggs  (2);  near  Salt  Lake  City  (City  Creek  Caiion),  June  18, 1869. 
Nest  on  mountain- mahogany  tree. 

1293,  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  26,  1869.    Nest  in  aspen  tree. 

1294,  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  June  26, 1869.    Same  remarks. 

1340,  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  June  28, 1869.    Same  remarks. 

1341,  eggs  (2) ;  Parley's  Park,  June  2S,  1869.    Same  remarks. 

1385,  nest  and  egg  (1);  Prove  Eiver,  July  10, 1869.  Nest  on  bush  leaning  over 
river-bank. 

1386,  nest  and  egg  (1) ;  Prove  Eiver,  July  10,  1869.  Nest  on  bush  on  river-bank. 
1417,  eggs  (2);  Parley's  Park,  July  16,  1869.  Nest  among  willows,  along  stream. 
1522,  egg  (1);  Cash  Valley,  Utah,  July,  1869.    [Collected  by  J.  0.  Olmstead.] 


598  orj^ithology. 

Family  TETRAONID^— Geousb. 
Cai^ace  obsouba. 

Dusky  Orouse. 

Tetrao  obscurus,  Say,  Long's  Exped.,  II,  1823,  14,  202.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1868,  620;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No,  459.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I,  1870, 
526.— COUES,  Key,  1872, 233;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  381;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 395. 

Canace  oUcura^  Bonap.,  Comp.  Rend.,  XLV,  1857,  428.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am. 
Birds,  m,  1874,  422,  pi.  lix,  figs.  1,  2. 

The  "Mountain  Grouse,"  or  "Blue  Grouse,"  was  a  more  or  less  common 
species  on  all  the  ranges  clothed  with  a  sufficient  extent  of  pine  forests,  the 
existence  of  which  seemed  to  strictly  govern  its  distribution.  It  was  found 
on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  near  Carson  City,  and  on  several  of  the  higher 
ranges  of  the  Great  Basin;  but  it  did  not  occur  in  abundance  until  we 
arrived  at  the  Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mountains,  where  it  literally  abounded 
in  certain  localities,  particularly  on  the  latter  range. 

Although  seldom  seen  in  the  dense  pine  forests,  we  always  found 
these  Grouse  in  their  vicinity,  usually  in  the  open  glades  with  scattered 
trees  and  brush,  with  thicker  woods  on  either  side.  Our  acquaintance  with 
this  species  being  made  wholly  in  the  fall  and  latter  part  of  summer,  we 
did  not  learn  much  regarding  its  habits.  We  can  testify,  however,  to  the 
excellence  of  its  flesh,  which  is  white  and  tender  as  that  of  a  partridge. 

List  of  specimens, 

891,  $  ad.;  East  Humboldt  Mountains  (near  Camp  22),  September  4, 1868.  21— 
31J — 7J.  Weight,  2|  lbs.  Bill  black,  the  lower  mandible  slightly  variegated  with 
whitish  at  the  base;  iris,  rawumber;  bare  space  over  eye,  orange-yellow;  toes, 
brownish-gray;  claws,  black. 

954,  9  ad,;  Wahsatch  Mountains,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  October,  1868. 

1290,  $  ad,;  Parley's  Park,  June  25, 1869.  22— 31  J.  Weight,  3J  lbs.  Bill,  black ; 
iris,  raw-umber ;  naked  superciliary  space,  orange ;  toes,  lilaceous-gray. 

1370,  9  ad.;  Pack's  Canon,  Uintah  Mountains,  July  5, 1869.  19—29.  Bill,  black ; 
iris,  raw-umber;  toes,  ashy. 

1371,  9  ad.;  Pack's  Canon,  July  5, 1869.    Same  remarks. 

1372,  juv.;  same  date  and  locality. 
1382,  juv,;  Pack's  Canon,  July  8. 
1444,  i  jnv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  23. 


B0NA8A  UMBELLOIDES— PEDICEOETES  COLUMBIANUS.         599 

BOI^ASA   UMBELLUS. 
KuOed  O rouse. 

>ff.  umbelloides — Gray  Buffed  Grouse, 

Tetrao  umbelloides^  Douglas,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc,  XVI,  1829,  148. 

Bonasa  umbelhis  var.  lonhelloides,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am,,  1858,  925,-  Oat.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1859,  No.  465.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  235;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  385a; 

Birds  N.W.,  1874,  425.-~B.  B.  &  K.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  453,  pi. 

LXI,  fig.  10. 

This  bird  we  did  not  see  alive,  but  dead  specimens  were  occasionally 
seen  in  the  hands  of  hunters.  It  was  said  to  be  common  in  the  pine  forests 
of  the  Wahsatch,  where  it  is  known  as  the  '^  Pine-Hen." 

List  of  speeimens. 
955,*  <J  ad»;  Wahsatch  Mountains,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  October,  1868. 

Pedicecetes  phasianellus. 

Sharp-tailed  Grouse. 

yS.  columbianus — Western  Prairie  Chicken. 

Phasianus  columbianus^  Ord,  Guthrie's  Geog,,  2d  Am.  ed.,  1815,  317. 

Pedicecetes  columbianus^  Elliot,  Pr.  Pbilad.  Acad.,  1862,  403. — Cooper,  Orn. 

Cal.,  I,  1870,  532. 
Pedicecetes  phasianellus  var,  columbianus,  OoUES,  Key,  1872,  234  j  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  383a ;  Birds  N. W.,  1874,  407.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874, 

436,  pi.  LX,  fig.  1. 
Pedicecetes  phasianellus,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  626  (not  Tetrao  phasianellus, 

Linn.,  115S,  =  Pedicecetes)-,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  463. 

This  Grouse,  known  universally  among  the  western  people  as  the 
"Prairie  Chicken,''  we  found  only  in  the  Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  near 
Trout  Creekj  where  it  was  abundant  in  the  rye-grass  meadows  at  the  base 
of  the  Clover  Mountains,  and  in  a  very  few  similar  localities  in  the  Wah- 
satch district. 

List  of  specimens. 

927,  ^ad.;  Upper* Humboldt  Valley  (Camp  25),  September  16, 1868.  15—25— 
(^) — 6.  Bill,  black,  the  lower  mandible  more  ashy  basally ;  iris,  raw-sienna ;  toes,  ashy 
horn-color. 


600  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Centeooeeous  UEOPHASIANUS. 

Sagre-Hen. 

(See-yuh!  of  the  Washoes.) 

Tetrao  urophasiamcSj  BoNAP.,  Zool.  Journ.,  JIT,  1828,  214. 

Tetrao  {Gentrocercm)  urophasianus,  SWAINS.,  Fauna  Bor.-Am.,  II,  1831, 358,  pL  58. 

Centrocercus  urophasiantis,  Jardinb,  Nat.  Lib.  Birds,  — ,  1840,  pi.  xvii. — Baird, 
B.  K  Am.,  1858,  624;  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  462.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I, 
1870,  536.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  233;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  382 ;  Birds  N.W., 
1874,  400.— B.  B.  &  E.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  429,  pi.  LX,  figs.  2,  4. 

Although  this  large  and  well-known  Grouse  was  met  with  throughout 
the  sage-brush  country  between  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the  Wahsatch,  we 
saw  it  so  seldom  that  little  was  learned  of  its  habits,  particularly  during  the 
breeding-season.  It  came  under  our  notice  only  late  in  summer  and  during 
the  autmnn,  when  it  was  foimd  to  be  abundant  in  certain  localities,  but  by 
no  means  uniformly  distributed.  When  startled,  the  Sage-Hen  rises  with  a 
noisy  and  apparently  laborious  fluttering,  and  then  flies  off,  with  a  heavy 
but  well-sustained  flight,  a  few  yards  above  the  ground,  and  usually  goes 
a  long  way  before  alighting ;  indeed,  if  allowed  to  escape  after  being  once 
flushed  there  is  generally  little  hope  of  getting  a  second  opportunity  for  a 
shot.  As  an  article  of  food  the  Sage-Hen  cannot  be  recommended,  unless 
the  precaution  is  taken  to  flay  it  immediately,  for  its  flesh  soon  becomes 
permeated  with  the  disagreeable  odor  of  the  sage-brush,  the  leaves  of  which 
form  its  principal  food.  In  fact,  it  is  often  found  necessary  to  soak  the  car- 
case in  salt-water  over  night  before  the  flesh  becomes  palatable.  The  leaves 
of  the  Artemisia  do  not  form  the  exclusive  food  of  this  species,  however,  but 
during  the  season  when  grasshoppers  abound  it  feeds  largely  on  these  insects, 
several  specimens  killed  in  Parley's  Park  during  a  flight  of  these  pests  in 
August  having  nothing  else  in  their  crops.  It  is  a  well-known  fact  among 
western  hunters  that  the  Sage-Hen  *^has  no  gizzard,"  and  the  truth  of  this 
statement,  which  was  often  told  us,  we  confirmed  by  the  dissection  of  numer- 
ous specimens ;  the  stomach  being  njerely  membraneous,  or  at  most  but 
slightly  muscular,  like  that  of  a  bird  of  prey,  and  nothing  like  the  thick 
and  powerful  grinding  machine  of  other  Gallinoe} 

^  See  American  Naturalistj  April,  1874,  p.  240,  where  this  remarkable  peculiarity 
of  the  Sage-Hen  is  referred  to,  by  the  writer. 


OREORTYX  PI0TU8.  601 

List  of  specimens. 

214,  $  ad.;  West  Humboldt  Mountains  (Oamp  19),  September  23,  1867.  29— 
40J— 12|— 10— IJ— 2J— llj— 3J.  Weight,  ^  pounds.  Bill,  deep  black;  iris,  light 
hazel ;  cervical  sac,  light  leaden-blue ;  toes,  grayish-olive. 

311,  ?  ad.;  Pea- Vine  district,  Western  Nevada,  November  21,  1867.  23 — 36^ — 
12^8^— l^lf— 7f— 23.  Bill,  deep  black ;  iris,  light  brown ;  toes,  blackish  horn- 
color. 

312,  9  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  21|— 34— lOf— 8— IJ— l|~7i— 3.  Same 
remarks. 

313,  9  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  21^34---10|— 8— 1^ — l^— 7i — 2J.  Same 
remarks. 

943,  9  ad.;  City  of  Rocks,  Idaho,  October  3,  1868.  22— 35— (?)— 84.  Same 
remarks. 


Family  PERDIOID^— Partridges  and  Quails. 
Oreortyx  piotus. 

Mountain  <tuail  or  Partridge. 

/?.  plumiferus.^ 

{Mah'-tem-aW'teh^LiiA.  Tu-eJik! -tuddle  of  the  Washoes;  Kih'-Uk  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Ortyx  plumifera,  Gould,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  Y,  1837, 42. 
»  Oreortyx pictus  var.  plumiferus^  B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  K  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  p.  476. 
Oreortyx  pictns^  Auot.  (part). 

This  superb  bird  occurred  rather  sparingly  among  the  mountains  and 
hills  immediately  adjacent  to  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  as  well 
as  on  the  eastern  slope  of  that  range  itself.  It  was  so  rare,  however,  or  at 
least  so  difficult  to  find,  that  we  could  learn  but  little  concerning  its  habits. 
We  first  met  with  it  in  a  broad  canon  of  the  Virginia  Mountains  fronting  on 
Pyramid  Lake,  where  the  slopes  were  covered,  more  or  less,  by  the  tall 
rye-grass,  interspersed  with  scattered  cedars.     Here  a  flock  of  perhaps  a 

^The  typical  form,  which  inhabits  the  coast  districts  of  California  and  Oregon 
(the  present  one  inhabiting  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the  peninsula  of  Lower  California), 
differs  in  darker,  browner  colors.    Its  synonymy  is  as  follows : — 

Ortyx  picta,  Douglas,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc,  XVI,  1829, 143. 

Oreortyx pictus^  Baibd,  Birds  K  Am.,  1858, 642;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  Ko.  473. 
— CooPEB,  Orn.  Cal,  1, 1870,  546  (part).— CoxjES,  Key,  1872,  237;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  390;  Birds  KW.,  1874,  440.— B.  B.  &  B.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  475,  pi. 
LXiii,  fig.  6  (part). 


602  ORNITHOLOGY. 

dozen  individuals  was  flushed  on  the  27th  of  December,  1867,  and  one  of 
them  secured.  Before  they  rose  they  uttered  a  confused  chuckling,  some- 
what like  the  alarm-notes  of  the  eastern  Bob- White  {Ortyx  virginiamis),  and 
after  they  had  been  separated  for  some  time,  commenced  calling  to  one 
another  in  a  manner  exactly  similar  to  young  Turkeys  (Meleagris)  under 
the  same  circumstances.     Its  love-notes  we  have  never  heard. 

In  western  Nevada,  where  the  statement  seems  to  be  generally  believed, 
we  were  informed  that  the  Mountain  Quail  was  not  an  inhabitant  of  the 
country  eastward  of  the  summit  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  until  after  the  settle- 
ment of  that  country  by  the  whites,  when  they  began  following  the  wagon- 
roads  over  the  mountains  for  the  purpose  of  picking  up  the  grain  scattered 
along  the  way.  This  may  possibly  be  true;  but  judging  from  the  fact  that 
a  number  of  essentially  Oaliforidan  birds  and  mammals,  and  even  plants, 
occur  plentifully  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  an  exactly 
similar  manner,  we  rather  incline  to  the  opinion  that  it  is  a  true  native,  in 
support  of  which  view  of  the  case,  we  were  infonned  by  the  Indians  at  the 
Truckee  Reservation  that  it  had  always  been  found  on  the  neighboring 

mountains. 

List  of  specimens, 

319,  i  ad,;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  November,  1867.  (Presented  by  Mr.  H.  G. 
Parker.) 

386,  (J  ad.;  Virginia  Mountains,  near  Pyramid  Like,  December  27,  1867.  11^ — 
17 — 5| — ^ — ^9_—i^3^ — 3^ — J.  Bill,  dull  black,  more  brownish  terminally;  iris,  deep 
brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  brownish. 

440,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  10,  1868.  (Oedargroves.)  11|— t6f— 
6§ — 4|.  Bill,  black,  slightly  brownish  terminally;  iris,  vandyke-brown ;  tarsi  and  toes, 
dilute  sepia. 

441,  9  ad.  (mate  of  No.  440);  same  locality  and  date.  11^ — 16f — 5J — 4i.  Same 
remarks. 

LOPHOETYX    CALIFOENICUS. 
California  Valley  Quail. 

Tetrao  californicus^  Shaw,  Nat.  Misc.,  — ,  pi.  345. 

Lophortyx  californicuSj  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  42. — Baird,  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858,  644;  Cat.  N.Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  474.— Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.,  I, 
1870,  549.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  238;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  391;  Birds  N.W., 
1874,  439.— B.  B.  &  R.,  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds,  III,  1874,  479,  pi.  XLiv,  figs.  1,  2. 

The  **  Valley  Quail"  of  California  was  met  with  only  among  the  western 


^GIALITIS  VOCIFERUS.  603 

foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  it  seemed  to  be  an  abundant  species. 

It  continued  along  our  route  up  to  the  beginning  of  the  continuous  pine 

forest,  or  to  an  altitude  of  about  5,000  feet,  where  a  specimen,  a  fine  adult 

male,  was  killed  among  the  brushwood  of  a  ravine  by  the  roadside.     There 

were  evidently  others  in  the  locality,  since  the  one  killed  was  in  a  small 

tree,  anxiously  calling,  his  note  being  a  sharp  cMp^  almost  exactly  like  the 

common   note   of  the    Cardinal   Grosbeak   {Cardinalis  virginianus).      We 

unfortunately  had  little  opportunity  to  observe  the  habits  of  this  beautiful 

species. 

List  of  specimens, 

316,  (f  ad,;  317,  S  ad,;  318,  9  ad.;  "  Coast  of  Oalifornia,  near  San  Francisco." 
(H.  G.  Parker.) 


Family  OHARADRIIDiE— Plovers. 

^GIALITIS    YOCIFERUS. 
Klll-deer« 

Charadrius  voeiferus,  LiNN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766.  253. 

JSJgialitis  vocifertiSj  BoNAP.,  Oomp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838^  45. — Cassin,  in  Baird's 
Birds  ISr.  Am.,  1858,  692.— Baibd,  Cat.  2^.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  604-CoUES, 
Key,  1872,  244,  %.  156;  Check  List,  1873,  JSTo.  397;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  452 

(i^oci/em).— Henshaw,  1875,  445. 

Tile  common  Kill-deer  was  found  to  be  by  far  the  most  abundant  and 
generally  distributed  bird  of  the  order,  since  it  was  found  about  every 
stream  or  other  body  of  water,  while  it  was  common  wherever  it  occurred. 
It  was  also  resident,  but  more  numerous  in  summer  than  in  winter. 

List  of  specimens, 

431,  (J  ad.;  Carson  City,  Nevada,  March  7, 1868.  lOJ— 20^—7— 5§.  Bill,  black; 
iris,  bister;  eyelids,  orange-red;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  ashy  uaples-yellow. 

472,  $  ad,;  Carson  City,  March  28, 1868.    10— 20J— 6|4— 5f .    Same  remarks. 

1154,  eggs  (4);  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  9,  1869.  Eggs  deposited 
on  the  bare  sand,  in  a  slight  depression,  near  the  shore. 


604  ORNITHOLOGY. 

iEGIALITIS  CANTIANUS. 
Kentish  Plover. 

>ff.  nivosus — Snotvy  Plover. 

JEgialitis  (Lmcopolim)  ntuo«M«,  Oassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  606. 

JEgialiiis  nivosus^  Baibd,  Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  609. 

JEJgialiUs  cantianus^  GouES,  Key,  1872,  245  (aot  of  Latham)  ;  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  401. 
JEgialiiis  cantianm  var.  nivosm^  RiDawAY,  Am.  Nat.,  VIII,  1874, 109. — CouES^ 

Check  List,  App.,  No.  401. 
^gialitis  cantiana  var.  nivosa^  Coxjes,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  456. 

This  handsome  and  graceful  little  Plover  was  exceedingly  numerous  in 
May  on  the  bare  mud-flats  around  Warm  Spring  Lake,  near  Salt  Lake 
City.  It  kept  in  flocks,  running  nimbly  and  very  svriftly  over  the  ground, 
all  the  while  uttering  a  soft  and  rather  musical  whistling  note. 

List  of  specimens. 

969,  i  ad.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  21, 1869.  7— 13|.  Bill,  deep  black  j  iris, 
burnt-sienna;  eyelids,  deep  black;  interior  of  mouth, fleshy- white;  tarsi,  slate-color ; 
toes,  black. 

1026,  «J  ad.;  near  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May  22,  1869.  7— 13f  Bill,  deep  black ; 
eyelids,  black ;  iris,  deep  brown ;  tarsi,  dull  slate ;  toes,  black. 

1027,  ^  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    6J — 13J.    Same  remarks. 

1028,  ?  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    6J — 12}f .    Same  remarks. 

1029,  (?  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    6J — 13.    Same  remarks. 

1030,  <J  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    6| — 14f.    Samet  remarks. 

1031,  ?  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    6| — 13J.    Same  remarks.     ^ 

Family  PHALAROPOBID J]— Phalaropes. 
Steganopus  wilsoni. 

Wilson's  Phalarope. 

PhaUropm  wilsoni^  Sabine,  App.  Franklin's  Journal,  1823,  69L— Cassin,  in 
Baird's  B.  N.  Am.,  1858,  705.-.BA1BI),  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  519. 

Phalaropus  (Steganopus)  wilsoni^  Gbay,  Hand  List,  HI,  1871, 55,  No.  10,362. 

Steganopus  wilsoni^  OoxjES,  Ibis,  April,  1865,  —  ;  Key,  1872,  248,  flg.  161 ;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  409;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  467.— Hbnshaw,  1875,  451, 

This  species  was  shot  from  a  flock  of  Sandpipers  {Tringa  alpina  ameri- 
canaj  T.  minutUlaj  T.  hairdij  and  Ereunetes  pusillus),  at  Pyramid  Lake,  in 


EEOUBVIiM>STRA  AMERICANA.  605 

May,  1868,  and  was  again  seen  swimming  in  the  alkaline  ponds  along  the 
southern  shore  of  Groat  Salt  Lake,  in  June,  1869. 


Family  RECURVIROSTRIDiB— Avoobts  and  Stilts. 

KbCURVIROSTRA  AMERICANA. 
American  Avocet. 

Becurvirostra  americana,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1788,  093.— Cassin,  in  Baird's  B. 
N.  Am.,  1858,  703.— Baied,  Cat.  N,  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  517.— CoUES,  Key, 
1872, 147,  fig.  159;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  407;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  460.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875,  448. 

This  abundant  bird  is  confined  chiefly  to  the  vicinity  of  the  alkaline 
ponds  or  lakes,  where  it  is  usually  found  in  the  most  barren  places,  or 
where  the  bare  earth  is  covered  chiefly  with  an  alkaline  efflorescence.  At 
the  Soda  Lakes,  on  the  Carson  Desert,  it  was  particularly  abundant,  and 
appeared  to  be  feeding  on  a  kind  of  insect  thrown  by  the  surf  upon  the 
beach.  It  was  not  met  with  in  the  Sacramento  Valley,  but  was.  first  seen 
at  the  Truckee  Meadows,  where  it  was  abundant  in  July  in  some  alkaline 
marshes.  Its  local  names  are  "Lawyer"  and  "Yelper"  in  most  locaHties 
where  it  is  known. 

List  of  specimens. 

811,  i  ad.;  Soda  Lake,  Carson  Desert,  Nevada,  June  28,  1868.  18— 29^(t)— 7. 
Bill  deep  black ;  iris,  burnt-umber ;  tarsi  and  toes,  ashy-blue. 

812,  eggs  (4) ;  813,  eggs  (3) ;  814,  egg  (1).  Same  locality  and  date.  Eggs  depos- 
ited in  depressions  in  the  alkaline  deposit. 

1071,  $  ad.;  near  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29,  1869.  18^36J.  Bill,  deep  black ; 
iris,  brown ;  legs  and  feet,  plumbeous-blue. 

1107,  S  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Salt  Lake,  June  6,  1869.     18J— 31.     Same  re- 

1218, 1219, 1220,  1221  (eggs);  Oarringtou  Island,  Salt  Lake,  June  17, 1869.  (Col- 
lected by  Mr.  E.  N.  Davis  and  Mr.  8,  Watson.) 


606  ORNITHOLOGY. 

HiMANTOPUS   MEXICAKUS. 
American  Sliit* 

{Pahn-tuy' -he  of  the  Shoshones.) 

GharadriuB  mexicanus^  Mulleb,  Sjst.  Nat., 1776,. 117. 

Himantopus  mexicanm,  Ord  (ed.  Wils.),  Am.  Orn.,  VII,  1824,  52. 

Himantopus  nigricolUs,  Vieillot,  Nouv.  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.,  X,  1817,  42.— Cassin, 

in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  704.— Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  518. 

— COUES,  Key,  1872,  247,  fig.  160;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  408;  Birds  N.W., 

1874,  462.— Henshaw,  1875,  450. 

This  species  was  almost  invariably  found  in  the  same  localities  with 
the  Avocet  {Recurvirostra)^  but  it  was  everywhere  less  abundant  than  that 
species.  It  was  more  numerous  about  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  than  at  any  other  locality  visited  by- us. 

lAst  of  specimens, 

815,  $  ad.;  Soda  Lake,  Carson  Desert,  June  28, 1868.  15— 29^- (!)— 7f.  Bill,  deep 
black;  iris,  grayish-brown  next  the  pupil,  with  a  wide  outer  ring  of  <?lfear  rosy-car- 
mine; legs  and  feet,  deep  light  rose-pink  or  lake-red. 

1018,  eggs  (4) ;  near  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22, 1869.  Nest  on  the  ground,  on  small 
grassy  island  in  Warm  Spring  Lake. 

1072,  9  ad.;  near  Salt  Lake  City,  May  29,  1869.  14f— 27^.  Same  remarks  as  to 
No.  816. 

1084,  $  ad.;  mouth  of  Jordan  Eiver,  Utah,  June  2,  1869.  15^—30.  Iris,  rich 
fine  carmine. 


Family  SOOLOPAOIDJl— Snipe,  Sandpipees,  etc. 
Gallinago  wilsoni. 

Wilson's  Sinipe. 

(Tuttoo'hoy'-ehk  and  Kay'-lehh  of  the  Washoes;  SV-yeheh  of  the  Shoshones.) 

Seolopax  wilsonii^  Temm.,  PL  Col.  V,  livr.  Lxvin  (in  text). 

Gallinago  wilsoni^  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 52. — Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds 
N.  Am.,  1858,  710.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  523.— Coues,  Key, 
1872,  262,  fig.  163;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  414;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  475.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875,  452. 

Gallinago  gallinaria  var.  wilsoni^  RinawAY,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.,  X,  1874, 383. 

The  Common  Snipe  was  an  abundant  species  during  the  spring  and 


TRINGA  AMERICANA.  607 

autumn,  in  all  wet  and  grassy  places.  In  Parley's  Park,  either  this  species 
or  Macrorhamphus  griseus  was  breeding,  but  we  found  it  impossible  to  pos- 
itively determine  the  species.  In  the  lower  portion  of  the  park,  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  our  camp,  was  an  extensive  meadow,  portions  of 
which  were  quite  wet  or  marshy;  and  in  this  direction  we  would  hear  every 
evening  a  peculiar  hollow  gurgUng  sound,  somewhat  like  the  noise  pro- 
duced by  water  escaping  from  a  nearly  full  jug.  This  was  heard  only 
just  before  dark,  and,  as  we  soon  ascertained,  was  produced  by  a  kind  of 
'*  Snipe,''  as  it  pitched  downward  from  a  great  height.  We  found  it  impos- 
sible to  obtain  a  specimen,  but  conclude  that  the  bird  must  have  been  this 
species,  since  we  shot  specimens  along  a  brook  in  the  same  locality  at  about 
the  same  time. 

List  of  specimens, 

259,  9  ad,;  Truckee  Meadows  (Camp  26),  Nevada,  November  7, 1867.  11§— 17 J— 
^"^l— 4J— 2ii--.l3-\— 2J~-j\.  Bill,  blackish  for  terminal  third,  greenish-ashy  basally,  the 
lower  mandible  rather  paler  than  the  upper;  iris,  bister;  tarsi  and  toes,  pale  greenish- 
ashy;  claws,  black. 

260,  <J  ad.;  Camp  12,  November  7,  1867.  11^— 17i— 5|— 4i— 2/g-— l^^^— 2^—/^. 
Same  remarks. 

261,  (?a^.;  same  locality  and  date.  10i|— 165—51—4/^— 237^—1^1^— 2g—(f).  Same 
remarks. 

262,  $  ad,;  same  locality  and  date.  10J-~16|— 5|— 43-%— 2|--1J— 2J— |.  Same 
remarks. 

1453,  ?  ad,;  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  July  26, 1869.  llj— 17^.  Bill,  black,  growing 
gradually  greenish  horn-color  basally;  iris,  dark  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  light  ashy, 
with  distinct  yellowish-green  wash  on  the  scutellsB. 

1454,  ?  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    10| — 16f .    Same  remarks. 

1455,  ?  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    11 — 16|.    Same  remarks. 


TEmGA    ALPENA. 
Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

/?.  americana. 

Tringa  (Sehceniclus)  alpina  var.  americana^  Oassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am,,  1858, 

719. 
Tringa  alpina  var.  americana,  Baik-D,  Oat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  530. — CouES, 

Key,  1872,  256,  fig.  166;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  424;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  489. 

This  species  occurred  among  the  large  flocks  of  Sandpipers  and  other 


608  OENITHOLOGY. 

small  waders  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Pyramid  Lake  in  May,  along  with 
Steganopus  wilsoni,  Tringa  bairdi,  T.  minutillay  and  Ereunetes  pusillus,  all  of 
which  were  killed  at  a  single  shot. 


Trikga  BAIRDI. 

Balrd'8  Sandpiper. 

Actodromus  bairdii,  OouES,  Pr.  Ac.  Kat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1861,  194.— Hekshaw 
1875,466.  ' 

ISringa  bairdii,  SCL.,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Loud.,  1867,  332.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  256; 
Check  List,  1873,  No.  419;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  484. 

Found  about  Pyramid  Lake  in  May,  and  at  the  Humboldt  Marshes  in 
August. 

List  of  specimens, 

133,  9  juv.;  Humboldt  Marshes  (Gamp  15),  August  26, 1867.    7^|^ — 15^5^—4^— 
1 — 16 — 2^^ — |.    Bill,  black;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  slate-black 


Tringa  minutilla.     . 

Least  Sandpiper* 

Tringa  minutilla,  Vibillot,  Nouv.  Diet.  d^Hist.  Nat.,  XXXIV,  1819, 452.— CouES, 
Key,  1872,  254;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  418;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  482. 

Actodromus  minutilla,  CouES,  Fr.  Phil.  Ac,  1861, 191, 230.— Hbnshaw,  1875, 455. 

Tringa  mlsoniiy  NuTTiXL,  Man.  Orn.,  II,  1834, 121.— Oassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858,  721.— Baibd,  Oat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  532. 

Vicinity  of  Pyramid  Lake  in  May,  about  Salt  Lake  throughout  the 
summer,  and  at  the  Humboldt  Marshes  in  August. 

List  of  specimens. 

134,  ^  jiet?.;  Oamp  16,  August  26, 1867.     6^— llf— 3J— 3t^— If— ff— 1,?^— ^. 
Bill,  black ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  slate-black. 

135,  ?;wi?.;  same  locality  and  date.   61—12^^3—4^—3^—1^^ — ^|_1|— |^.  Same 
remarks. 

136,  ?  juv.;  same  locality  and  date.    6|— 11— 3|^— 3— ^f— f— 1|— J.    Bill,  dull 
black;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  grayish-olive. 


EREUNBTBS  PUSILLUS--SYMPHEMIA  SEMIPALMATA.  609 

Eeeunetes  PUSILLUS. 

^^eiuipalmated  Sandpiper. 

Tinngapusillaj  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  252. 

Ereunetus  pusillus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  XIII,  1860,  195.— Coui^, 

Key,  1872,  254,  fig.  165;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  417;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  481. 

—Henshaw,  1875,  454. 

Ereuneies  pefrljicatus,  Illiger,  Prodromus,  1811,  262. — Oassin,  in  Baird's  Birds 
N.  Am.,  1858,  724.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  535. 

Ereunetes  occidentalis,  Lawr.,  Pr.  Philad.  Acad.,  1864,  107. 

Ereunetes  pnsillKS  var.  occidentalism  CouKS,  Key,  1872,  254;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 
417a. 

Vicinity  of  Pyramid  Lake  in  May,  and  Humboldt  Marshes  in  August, 

in  flocks  with  Tringa  bairdi  and  I\  minutilla,     [All  the  specimens  of  these 

three  species  shot  from  one  flock  at  a  single  discharge.] 

List  of  specimens. 

137,  ijuv.;  Camp  15,  August  26,  1867.  5f-^lli--3§— 3^ii— f^-^li- ^V  ^'^^^i 
black,  becoming  greenish-olive  on  base  of  lower  mandible  ;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes, 
greenish-olive. 

138,  ?jttt?./  same  locality  and  date.  55— 11— 3y»^— 2}|— 3— |— 1/^— .^^^.  Same 
remarks. 

139,  9  j?/t7.;  same  locality  and  date.  6J— 11.^—3^—34— f|—f|— If i—^^  Same 
remarks. 

SyMPHEMIA   SEMIPALMATA. 

Wilfet. 

Scolopaoc  semipalmata,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  659. 

Totanus  semipalmatus^  Temm.,  Man.  Orn.,  II, ,  637. — CoUES,  Key,  1872,  258; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  431 5  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  494.— Qenshaw,  1875,  457. 
Symphemia  semipalmata^  Hartlaub,  Eev.  Zool.,  1845,  342. — Cassin,  in  Baird's 

Birds  N,  Am.,  1858,  729.— Baiud,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  537. 

This  large  and  conspicuous  Snipe,  readily  distinguished  at  sight  from 
other  species  by  the  conspicuous  whitQ  patch  on  the  wings,  was  found 
breeding  in  nearly  all  marshy  localities.  It  was  particularly  numerous  on 
the  grassy  flats  along  the  southern  shore  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Jordan  River,  where  it  was  found  in  company  with  the  Long- 
billed  Curlew  {Numenius  longirostris)  and  various  species  of  Ducks. 

List  of  specimens. 

1160,  9  ad.;  southern  shore  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  Ut?ih,  June  11,  1869.    16—29^. 
Bill,  black ;  iris,  browu ;  tarsi  and  toes,  slate-color. 
39  PE 


610  ornitholooy. 

Rhyaoophilus  solitarius. 

Solitary  Sandpiper. 

Tringa  solitaria,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  VII,  1813,  53,  pi.  58,  fig.  3. 

Totanus  solitarius^  Audubon,  Synop.,  1839,  242. — Coues,  Key,  1872, '259;  Check 

List,  1873,  No.  435;  Birds  KW.,  1874,  498.— Henshaw,  1875,  469. 
Bhyaeophilm  solitarius,  Cassin,  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  733. — Baird,  Cat.  N. 

Am.  B.,  1859,  No.  541. 

This  species  seemed  to  be  exceedingly  rare  in  the  Interior,  since  it 
was  seen  on  but  two  or  three  occasions ;  it  was  noticed  in  the  Truckee 
Valley,  May  13,  1868,  while  a  pair  were  observed  at  the  Glendale  Meadows 
in  July,  1867;  a  single  individual  was  also  observed  in  Parley's  Park,  in 
August.     It  was  not  met  with  in  the  Sacramento  Valley. 

TrINGOIDES  MACULARIUS. 
Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Tringa  maculariaj  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  249. 

Tringoides  macularius,  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  III,  1849,  574. — Cassin,  in  Baird's 
Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  735.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  543.— CouES, 
Key,  1872,  260;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  436;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  501.— Hen- 
shaw, 1875,  460. 

Next  to  the  Kill-deer  {j!Egialitis  vociferus),  the  Spotted  Sandpiper  is 
probably  the  most  abundant  and  generally-distributed  of  the  small  waders 
in  the  Great  Basin.  It  was  found  breeding  from  the  lowest  valleys  up  to  an 
altitude  of  more  than  7,000  feet,  its  favorite  haunts  being  the  gravelly 
banks  of  running  streams  rather  than  the  vicinity  of  ponds  or  lakes.  Its 
first  arrival  at  Carson  City  was  noted  on  the  29th  of  April,  1868. 

lAst^of  specimens. 

562,  S  ad.;  Carson  City,  April  29,  1868.  73— 13J— 4|— 3f .  Commissure  and 
whole  of  the  lower  mandible,  dilute  wax-yellow  5  rest  of  the  bill,  black ;  iris,  vandyke- 
brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  dilute  ashy-olive. 

1362r  eggs  (2);  Pack's  Canon,  Uintah  Mountains,  July  3,  1869.  Nest,  a  very 
neat  one  of  sticks,  in  a  slight  depression  on  the  gravelly  bank  of  a  brook.  Eggs  nearly 
hatched. 

1468,  juv.;  Parley's  Park,  July  28,  1869.  Bill,  black,  lower  mandible  purplish 
basally  5  iris,  dark  brown  5  tarsi  and  toes,  olive. 


ACTITDRUS  BARTRAMIUS— GEUS  CANADENSIS.  611 

AOTITUEUS    BARTRAMIUS. 
Bartram^s  Tatler. 

Tringa  bartramia,  Wilson,  Am.  Orii.,  VII,  1813,  63,  pK  59,  fig.  2. 

Actiturus  bartramius,  Bonap.,  Saggio,  1831,  — . — Gassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  737.— Baibd,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No,  545.— COUES,  Key,  1872, 

260;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  438;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  502, 

This  eastern  species  was  rather  common  in  July  in  the  grassy  fields 
of  Kamas  Prairie,  Utah,  but  none  Were  seen  anywhere  else. 

NUMENIUS   LONGIROSTKIS. 
LonfiT^'billed  Curlew. 

Numenim  longirosiris,  Wilson,  Am.  Oni.,  VIII,  1814,24,  pi.  64,  fig.  4. — Cassin,  in 
Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  743.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  549. 
— CouES,  Key,  1872,  262,  fig.  174;  CLeck  List,  1873,  No.  441;  Birds  N.W., 
1874,  508.— Henshaw,  1875,  461. 

This  large  Curlew,  called  ^^ Snipe"  by  the  people  of  the  Salt  Lake 

Valley,  was  distributed  in  summer  throughout  the  Interior  in  the  vicinity 

of  marshes,  the  wet  meadows  near  the  shores  of  the  larger  lakes  being 

its  favorite  resort.     It  was  particularly  abundant  along  the  southern  shore 

of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  and  on  some  of  the  larger  islands. 

List  of  specimens, 

1088,  6  ad.;  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  4, 1869.  22^—39.  Bill,  black, 
becoming  dull  lilaceous  on  the  basal  half  of  the  lower  mandible ;  iris,  vandyke-brovvu  j 
legs  and  fe^et,  ashy. 

1110,  Sad,;  Antelope  Island,  June  5,  1869.    23 J— 39.    Same  remarks. 

1111,  pullus;  1112,  pullus;  same  locality  and  date. 

1159,  2 ;  south  shore  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  11, 1869.  26— 41f .  Same  remarks 
as  to  No.  1088. 

Family  GRU  ID  J] —Cranes. 

GrUS  CANADENSIS- 
ISand-»hill  Crane. 

Ardea  canadensis,  Linn,,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  234. 

Orm  canadensis^  Temm.,  Anal.  p.  c. — Baird,  Birds  N.  Am  ,  1858,  655;  Cat.  N. 

Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  479.— Coufs,  Key,  1872,  271;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

463;  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  532.— Henshaw,  1875,  467. 

The  Sand-hill  Crane  was  an  abundant  species  in  nearly  all  localities 
where  extensive  grassy  marshes  or  wet  meadows  existed.  .  A  friend  living 


612  ORNITHOLOGY. 

in  Carson  Valley  had  a  tame  bird  of  this  species  which  had  been  caught  in 
an  adjoining  meadow  when  very  young.  Om*  introduction  to  this  remark- 
able, pet  was  somewhat  amusing,  the  circumstances  being  as  follows:  Just 
before  coming  to  the  house  we  had  shot  a  Snow-bird  (Junco  oreganus),  and 
hastily  thrust  it  into  our  coat  pocket,  before  opening  the  gate  of  the  front 
yard  to  walk  in.  We  had  scarcely  entered,  when  his  craneship,  having 
seen  the  movement,  walked  familiarly  up,  and  deliberately  snatching  the 
bird,  proceeded,  without  further  ceremony,  to  beat  it  upon  the  ground  until 
nearly  denuded  of  its  feathers,  when  he  swallowed  it  whole;  he  then  care- 
fully examined  our  person  for  more  birds.  Not  finding  any,  however,  he 
turned  away  and  with  stately  steps  walked  off  across  the  yard.  This  bird 
was  a  great  friend  of  the  children  belonging  to  the  family,  and  would 
frequently  join  them  in  their  sports.  Often,  while  they  were  indoors,  he 
would  walk  upon  the  porch,  and  going  to  the  window  would  look  inside, 
and  if  the  young  folks  took  the  least  notice  of  him  he  would  show  his 
pleasure  by  amusing  gesticulations 

Family  RALLID^ — Rails,  Gallinules,  and  Coots. 
Rallus  vieginianus. 

Virg^aniift  Kail. 

Rallus  virginianus,  LiNN.,  Sjst.  Nat.,  I,  1706,  2G3.— Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858,  748.-— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am,  Birds,  1859,  No.  554,— Coues,  Key, 
1872,273;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  467;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  536.— Henshaw, 
1875,468. 

Two  or  three  specimens  of  this  Rail  were  seen  in  May,  among  the 

sedges  bordering  a  pond  near  Pyramid  Lake. 

POEZANA  CAROLINA. 
Sora  Rail. 

Rallus  caroUnuSj  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  263. 

Porzana  Carolina^  Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  749. — Baied,  Oat. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  555.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  273;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

468;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  538.-HENSHAW,  1875,  468. 

The  Common  Rail  was  constantly  met  with  in  all  suitable  localities  in 
the  Interior;  it  was  not  identified  at  Sacramento,  where,  however,  it  no 
doubt  occurs  also. 


?  PORZANA  JAMAIOENSIS— GALLINULA  GALBATA,  613 

List  of  specimens. 

1019,  nest  and  eggs  (6);  near  Salt  Lake  City,  May  22,  1869.  l^est  in  the  coarse 
grass  and  sedges  of  a  pond,  near  Warm  Spring  Lake. 

1456,  $  ad.;  Parley's  Park,'Wah8atcli  Mountains,  July  26,  1869.  9—135.^  Bifl 
yellow,  the  upper  mandible  chiefly  greenish-olive;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  olive, 
deepening  into  yellow  on  the  seutellae. 

?  PORZANA  JAMAICENSIS. 

Liittle  Black  Rail. 

Ballus  jamaicensis,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Kat.,  I,  1788,  718. 

Porzana  jamaicensis,  Oassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  X.  Am.,  1858,  749. — Baird,  Cat. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  556.—COUES,  Key,  1872,  274;  Ohecfc  List,  1873,  No.  470; 

Birds  KW.,  1874,  540. 

On  several  occasions,  and  at  widely-distant  localities,  we  met  with  a 
small  Rail  of  a  black  color,  whicli  must  have  been  this  species,  unless  it 
should  prove  to  be  one  at  present  undescribed.  It  was  first  seen  on  the 
5th  of  September,  1868,  in  Ruby  Valley.  We  happened  to  be  riding 
horseback  through  a  wet  meadow,  when  the  bird  sprang  up  before  us,  but 
suddenly  dropped  into  the  grass  at  the  edge  of  a  dense  willow  thicket.  We 
dismounted  and  attempted  to  flush  it,  but  without  success,  for  it  had  evi- 
dently escaped  into  the  densest  portion  of  the  thicket  where  it  could  not 
be  found.  This  bird  appeared  to  be  of  about  the  size  of  Porzana  Carolina^ 
though  it  may  have  been  smaller,  and  was  of  a  uniform  blackish  color,  with 
white  along  the  hinder  edge  of  the  wing,  showing  conspicuously  as  it  flew. 
The  same  species  was  again  met  with  in  Parley's  Park,  in  June,  July,  and 
August,  where  several  were  killed,  but  all  lost  in  the  tall  grass  and  sedges 
among  which  they  fell.  We  are  well  aware  that  the  above  description  does 
not  correspond  with  Porzana  jamaicensis,  but  it  could  have  been  no  other 
species  at  present  known. 

Gallinula  galeata 

American  Oallinule. 

Crex  galeatay  LicfiTENSTEiN,  Verz.  Doubl.,  1823,  80,  Ko.  820. 

Gallinula  galeata^  Bonap.,  Am.  Orn.,  IV,  1832,  128.— Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds  N. 
Am.,  1858,  752.-~BAmD,  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  ISTo.  560.— CouES,  Key, 
1872,  275;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  472;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  540. 

The  ^* Red-billed  Mud-hen"  was  a  very  abundant  species  in  the  tuk 


614  ORNITHOLOGY. 

sloughs  near  Sacramento,  where  it  was  found  in  company  with  the  Coot,  or 
**  White-billed  Mud-hen"  (Ftdica  americana).  It  was  not  seen  in  the  Inte- 
rior, where  the  latter  bird  was  extremely  numerous. 

List  of  specimens. 

40,  9  a^.;  Sacramento,  California,  June  13,  1807.  13— 21— 6|— -SJ— IJ— lyU— 
IJ — 2| — IJ.  Bill  and  frontal  plate,  bright  veinous-scarlet ;  tip  of  bill,  abruptly,  yel- 
lowish-green ;  iris^  hrown;  tarsal  scutellsD,  bright  yellowish-green,  scutellsB  of  the  toes, 
deeper  green  ;  knees,  and  joints  of  toes,  fine  ashy-blue;  upper  half  of  tibia,  all  round, 
bright  scarlet. 


Ftjlica  AMEBICAI^A. 

America n  Coot. 

{Si' -yeh-eh  of  the  Shoshones.) 

FuUca  americana,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  704. — Cassin,  in  Baird's  Birds 
K  Am.,  1858,  751.— Baikd,  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  559.— Coues,  Key, 
1872,  275;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  474;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  541.— Henshaw, 
1875,  469. 

The  Coot,  or  ^'White-billed  Mud-hen,"  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  was 
extremely  numerous  in  all  extensive  marshes,  both  in  the  Sacramento  Valley 
and  eastward  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  In  the  latter  region  it  was  resident, 
though  most  abundant  in  summer. 

List  of  specimens, 

841,  ¥  ad.;  Oamp  19,  Eiiby  Valley,  Nevada,  July  16,  1868*  163—265— (I)— 6. 
Bill,  opaque  milk-white  (purest  basally),  with  a  very  faint  lilaceous  glow  in  the  middle 
portion,  assuii^ing  terminally  a  pale  bluish -cast;  spot  at  base  of  frontal  iilate,  and  near 
tip  of  each  mandible,  dark  hepatic-sepia,  each  spot  bordered  anteriorly  with  dragon's- 
blood-red;  iris,  carmine ji  prevailing  hue  of  tibia,  tarsi,  and  toes,  delicate  pale  ashy- 
blue,  but  this  overlaid  on  tarsi  (all  round)  and  on  upper  surface  of  toes  (except  on 
joints)  with  bright  yellowish-green ;  claws,  black. 

^  To  posterior  end  of  frontal  plate. 


faloinellus  guarauna^f.  thalassinus.  615 

Family  TANTALIDJE— Ibises. 
Falcinellus  guaeauna. 

Bronzed  Ibis. 

Scolopax  guarauna,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  242. 

Ibis  guarauna,  Ridgway,  Am.  Nat,  Feb.,  1874,  110,  111.— CouES,  Check  List, 
App.,  No.  445  bis.— Henshaw,  1875,  463. 

'*J&^>  ordii,  BoNAP.^'— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  685  (excl.  syn.);  Oat.  N.  Am.  B., 
1859^  No.  500. 

IbisfaUineUus  var.  ordii  (part),  CouES,  Key,  1872,  263 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  445. 

The  Bronzed  Ibis  was  an  abundant  bird  at  Franklin  Lake,  in  August 
and  September,  but  being  without  a  boat  we  were  unable  to  obtain  speci- 
mens ;  a  few  were  also  seen  at  the  Great  Salt  Lake  in  May  and  June. 
Like  the  following  species,  from  which  it  may  possibly  not  be  distinct,  it 
is  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  as  the  ^^ Black  Curlew,"  or 
^' Black  Snipe." 

Falcinellus  thalassinus. 

Orcen  Ibi^. 

'^IMs  guarauna^  Linn." — Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  ed.  1860,  pi.  lxxxvii;  Cat.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1859,  No.  500a. 
Ibis  thalassinusy  BroawAY,  Am.  Nat.,  Feb.,  1874,  110,  111. — CouES,  Check  List, 

1873,  App.,  No.  445,  ter.— Hensuaw,  1875,  464. 

This  bird,  known  locally  as  the  **  Black  Curlew,"  or  ** Black  Snipe," 
was  first  observed  in  September,  at  the  Humboldt  Marshes,  where  it  was 
one  of  the  most  abundant  of  the  water-birds,  since  it  sometimes  occurred 
in  flocks  composed  of  hundreds  of  individuals.  They  were  generally  seen 
about  the  margin  of  the  pools,  standing  in  a  single  line  along  the  edge  of 
the  water.  At  Oreana,  about  forty  miles  farther  up  the  river,  they  were 
almost  constantly  seen  passing  back  and  forth  over  our  camp  by  the  river, 
the  flocks  usually  formed  with  a  widely-extended  front,  but  oftener 
arranged  in  a  V-shaped  form.  They  flew  quite  low,  rarely  higher  than 
fifty  yards,  and  quite  swiftly ;  and  at  this  distance  appeared  of  a  uniform 
black  color,  and  much  like  Numenius  longirostris  in  size  and  form,  whence 
their  common  name.     Only  once  was  a  flock  seen  to  alight  at  this  locality, 


616  ORNITHOLOGY. 

and  from  this  we  obtained  the  three  specimens  enumerated  below,  kiUing 
them  all  at  a  single  shot.  We  approached  them  under  cover  of  the  willows 
along  the  river,  and  found  them  busily  engaged  in  feeding  among  the 
aquatic  plants  in  a  slough  entirely  hemmed  in  by  a  dense  growth  of  wil- 
lows, each  individual  uttering  a  hoarse,  but  low,  croaking  note,  as  it  waded 
about.  It  is  still  an  unsettled  question  whether  this  bird  is  not  merely  the 
first  plumage  of  the  /.  guarauna ;  but  there  are  important  considerations, 
geographical  and  otherwise,  which  induce  us  to  consider  it  a  distinct 
species  until  future  developments  prove  the  contrary 

List  of  specimens. 

159,  <?  ad.;  Humboldt  River,  Nevada  (Gamp  17),  September  3,  1867.  2^^—385— 
11 — S^ — 5^—4 — 4— 2J.  Bill,  pale  greenish  horu-blue,  becoruiDg  blackish  terminally 
and  basally;  iris,  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

160,  9  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  21-^7— lOI—S^V—Ve—^Tff—^f—lTl-  S^""*^ 
remarks. 

161,  9  jui\;  saii^e  locality  and  date.  19|— 344— 10— 7J— 4— 2J— 3J— 1^.  Same 
remarks. 

Family  ARDEIDiE— Heeons. 
Ardea  heeodias. 

Great  Blue  Heron. 

Ardea  ^^orfw,LiNN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  237.— Baibd,  Birds  K  Am.,  1858,  667; 
Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  4S7.-^Ooues,  Key,  1872, 267 ;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  449;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  617.— Henshaw,  1875,  464. 

The  Great  Blue  Heron  was  abundant  about  all  bodies  of  water  afford- 
ing it  a  plentiful  supply  of  food.  It  was  particularly  numerous  at  Pyra- 
mid Lake,  where  it  built  upon  the  rocky  islands.  One  colony  had  their 
nests  on  the  large  grease-wood  bushes  on  the  southern  portion  of  the  main 
island,  each  nest  being  placed  directly  on  top  of  the  bush,  at  a  height  of 
about  five  or  six  feet  from  the  ground.  These  nests  were  very  bulky,  being 
several  feet  in  diameter  and  of  proportionate  depth,  but  they  were  elab- 
orately made ;  each  contained  from  three  to  four  young,  about  half-fledged, 
but  very  active  and  saucy,  who,  when  disturbed,  opened  wide  their  bills 
and  made  spiteful  thrusts,  at  the  same  time  uttering  an  admonishing  hiss. 
On  the  Pyramid  were  several  other  nests,  placed  among  the  naked  rocks  at 
varying  heights  from  the  water. 


HERODIAS  EGRRTTA-BUTORIDES  VIRESOENS.  617 

List  of  specimens, 

763,  eggs  (4) ;  Pyramid  Lake,  Nevada,  May  23,  1868.  Nest  on  the  "  PyraDiid,'' 
among  the  rocks,  about  150  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake. 

Heeodias  egrbtta. 

Great  l¥hite  Heron. 

Ardea  egretta^  Gmelin,  Syst  Nat.,  I,  1788,  629.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  267 ;  Check 

List,  1873,  No.  452;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  519. 
Rerodias  egretta,  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  III,  1849,--.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  666 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  486.— Henshaw,  1875,  465. 
Herodim  egretta  var.  californica^  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  667 ;  Cat.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1859,  No.  486a. 

This  handsome  Heron  we  sav^  at  Sacramento  in  June,  and  along  the 
lower  Truckee  in  May,  a  single  individual  only  having  been  observed  at 
each  place. 

BUTOEIDES  VIRESOENS. 
Orcen  Heron. 

Ardea  virescens,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  238 CouES,Key,  1872,  268;  Check 

List,  1873,  No,  457 ;  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  522. 
Butorides  virescens,  Bonap.,  Conspectus  Avium,  II,  1855,  128.— Baird,  Birds  N. 

Am.,  1858,  676;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  493.— Henshaw,  1875,  465. 

This  common  bird  was  observed  only  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento, 
w^here  it  was  abundant,  as  it  usually  is  in  all  parts  of  its  range.  It  appeared 
to  be  entirely  wanting  in  the  Great  Basin — at  least  we  could  never  find  it, 
even  in  localities  where  other  species  of  the  family  were  found  in  the  usual 
numbers.^ 

List  of  specimens, 

14,  9  ad.;  Sacramento,  California,  June  10,  1867.  Shallow  pond  along  edge  of 
oak-grove.  18^ — 27J — 7| — 6^ — 2^^ — 2 — 3 — 1.  Bill,  deep  black,  pale  greenish-yellow 
along  gonys;  naked  loral  and  orbital  space,  greenish-yellow;  iris,  gamboge-yellow; 
tarsi  and  toes,  dull  olivaceous-yellow,  olive- greenish  on  scutellsB. 

58,  S  ad.;  Sacramento,  June  19,  1867.  Willows  along  slough  near  river.  18J 
_27i— 8— 6|— 2J— 15— 3— IJ.    Same  remarks. 

^A  parallel  case  is  apparently  afforded  in  Gallinula  gdkata^  which  we  found 
abundant  at  Qacramento,  in  company  with  Fulica  americana^  but  which  we  did  not 
detect  in  the  Interior,  where  the  latter  was  everywhere  exceedingly  numerous,  in  suita- 
ble localities. 


618  OBNITHOLOGY. 

Aedbtta  EXILIS- 

l^east  BItteru. 

Ardea  exilis^  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  G45. 

Ardetta  exiUs,  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  III,  1849,  — .— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1868, 

673 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  491.— OouES,  Key,  1872, 270;  Check  List, 

1873,  No.  4C1 ;  Birds  N. W.,  1874,  528. 

One  individual  of  this  diminutive  Heron  was  seen  in  May,  among  the 
willows  along  the  lower  Truckee,  the  one  in  question  being  startled  by  the 
approach  of  our  boat. 

Nyctiaedea  geisea. 

Nii^ht  Heron. 

fi.  nmvia, 
Ardm  nc^ia^  Bodbaert,  Planch.  Enl.  Tabl.,  1784,  pi.  939. 
Nyciiardea  nwvia.  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  III,  1849,  558. 
Nyctiardea  grisea  var.  nwvia^  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Corap.  ZooL,  III,  1872,  182.— 

CouES,  Key,  1872,  269 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  458  j  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  523.— 

Henshaw,  1875,  466. 
Ardea  gardeni,  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  645. 
Nyciiardea  gardenia  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  678;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 

495. 

This  Heron  was  common  both  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  and  in 

the  wooded  river- valleys  of  the  Interior.     Near  our  camp  at  the  former 

place  was  a  small  pond,  where,  just  at  dusk,  one  of  these  birds  alighted 

regularly  to  feed. 

BOTAUEUS  MINOE. 

Amcrlean  Bittern* 

{Loo'-kem-o  of  the  Washoes ;  Tah' -bah-ho-ne-haW -hah  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Ardea  stellaris  var.  /5.  minor ^  Gmblin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788, 635. 
Ardea  minor,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  VIII,  1814,  35,  pi.  65,  flg.  3. 
Bofaurus  minor ^  BoiE,  IqIs,  1826,  979.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  269  5  Check  List,  1873, 

No.  460  5  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  523.— Henshaw,  1875,  466. 
Ardea  lentiginosa^  Mont  ague,  Orn.  Diet.,  SuppL,  1813,  — . 
Botanrus  lentiginosus,  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  ZooL,  XI,  1819, 596.— Baibd,  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  674 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  492. 

The  common  Bittern  was  constantly  found  in  all  marshy  situations  in 
the  Interior,  where  it  appeared  to  be  resident  all  the  year. 


CYGNUS  BUCCINATOR!— ANSEB  ALBATUS.  619 

List  of  specimens. 

288,  S  ad.;  Camp  2C,  Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada,  November  18,  1867.  Wet 
meadow.  28— 43§— 12|— 9|— 3J^aj— 4J— IJ.  Upper  half  of  upper  maudible,  brown- 
ish  olivaceous- black,  growing  more  brownish  basally,  this  color  continuing  in  a  broad 
stripe  over  the  lore  to  the  eye ;  sharply-defined  stripe  of  pure  lemon-yellow  above  this, 
on  upper  edge  of  bare  loral  space,  and  involving  upper  eyelid;  stripe  of  same  on  lower 
edge  of  bare  loral  space,  along  angle  of  mouth,  and  continuing  in  a  well-defined  stripe 
along  the  commissure,  terminally  blending  into  the  brownish  of  the  mandible.  Lower 
mandible,  pale  lemon-yellow,  deepest  basally;  stripe  of  dusky  brownish  along  upper 
posterior  portion.  Iris,  clear  light  sulphur-yellow  next  the  pupil,  shading  exteriorly 
into  orange-brownish,  this  encircled  narrowly  with  black.  Tarsi  and  toes,  bright  yel- 
lowish-green.    Claws,  pale  brown,  dusky  toward  point. 

350,  9  ad,;  salt  marshes,  shore  of  Pyramid  Lake,  near  mouth  of  Truckee,  Decem- 
ber 11, 1867.    244— 37— 11— 8i— 2|— 3J— 3J— 1  J.    Same  remarks. 

Family  ANATID J]— Swans,  Geese,  and  Ducks/ 
Oygnus  buocinatorJ 

Trumpeter  Swan. 

Cygnm  buccinatory  Richardson,  Fauna  Bor.  Am.,  II,  1831,  464. — Baiud,  Birds 
N.  Am.,  1858,  758;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  662.— OouES,  Key,  1872, 
281;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  476 ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  544. 

In  December,  1867,  Swans  were  exceedingly  numerous  in  the  vicinity 
of  Pyramid  Lake,  but  as  no  specimens  were  obtained,  we  do  not  know 
certainly  whether  they  were  the  Trumpeter  or  Whistler  (C.  americanus). 
Their  note  was  almost  exactly  like  that  of  the  Sand-hill  Crane  {Orm  cana- 
densis), 

Ansee  albatus. 

Lesser  Snow-Goose. 

Anser  albatus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1856, 41.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  925,*  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  563a. 
Anser  hyperboreus  var.  albatus j  Coijes,  Key,  1872,  282  5  Check  List,  1873,  No.  480a. 
Anser  hyperboreus,  b.  albatus,  Coues,  Birds  N.W,,  1874,  549. 
Anser  hyperboreus,  Henshaw,  1875,  470  (?). 

This  Goose,  almost  universally  known  as* the  ^^  White  Brant,"  was  an 
abundant  winter  visitant  to  the  lakes  of  the  Great  Basin. 

^  Our  notes  ou  inalny  of  the  Auatidse  are  necessarily  very  brief,  from  the  fact  that 
they  are  more  difficult  to  observe  than  most  other  birds,  except  at  certain  times,  when 
the  habits  of  all  the  species  appear  much  the  same.  Many  of  them  are  also  migratory, 
and  thus  were  seen  only  for  a  brief  season.  We  must  therefore  pass  by  certain  species 
without  further  remarks  than  to  note  the  season  when  observed,  or  a  few  similar  facts. 


620  OENITHOLOGT. 

List  of  specimens. 

255  Juv.;  Humboldt  Marsbes  (Camp  22),  October  31, 1867.    Bill,  blackish  dusky, 
greenish-slate  on  upper  basal  portion ;  iris,  brown  ;  tarsi  and  toes,  greenish  slate. 

388,  ^  ad.;  eastern  shore  of  Pyramid  Lake,  December  28,  1867.  28— (?)— 17J— 
13|— 2^^— 2|^(?)— (?).  Weight,  5  pounds.  Bill,  dull  light  salmon-purple,  becoming 
whitish  terminally;  deepest  salmon-color  on  the  culmen,  and  most  purplish  basally; 
commissure  deep  black,  separated  from  the  general  purplish  hue  by  a  backward  con 
tinuation  of  the  white  of  the  nail;  eyelids,  fleshcolor ;  iris,  vandyke-brown ;  tarsi  and 
toes,  deep  salmon-purple ;  claws,  black. 

Branta  canadensis. 

Canada  Goose. 

Anas  canadensis,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  198. 

Bernicla  canadensis,  BoiE,  Isis,  1826, 921.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  567. 

Bernicla  {Letwohlepharon)  canadensis,  Baibb,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  764. 

Branta  canadensis,  Bannister,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.,  Phila.,  1870,  131.— Cottes, 

Key,  1872,  283,  fig.  185a5  tlbeck  List,  1873,  No.  485;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  554.— 

Hbnshaw,  1875,  471. 

This  species  was  the  only  one  of  the  genus  found  breeding  in  the 
Great  Basin,  where  it  remained  throughout  the  year  about  all  the  larger 
lakes.  Several  goslings  were  caught  in  May,  at  Pyramid  Lake,  and  their 
parents  likewise  secured ;  the  latter  were  unable  to  fly,  having  molted  their 
quill-feathers,  but  it  required  strong  rowing  far  out  into  the  lake  to  got 
within  gunshot  of  them,  for  they  were  fast  swimmers,  and  took  to  the  open 
water  when  pursued.     This  species  was  also  breeding  at  Great  Salt  Lake. 

List  of  specimens. 

1222,  egg]  Carriugton  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  17,  1860.  Collected  by  Mr. 
R.  N.  Davis. 

Branta  hutchinsi. 

Hutchins^s  Ooose. 

Anser  hutchinsii,  Swains.  &  Kioh.,  Fauna  Bor.Am.,  II,  1831,  470. 
Bernicla  hutchinsii,  Woodhouse,  Sitgreave's  Exped.,  1823,  102.— -Baird,  Cat,  N. 
Ain.  Birds,  1859,  No.  569. 

Bernicla  (Leucoblepharon)  hutchinsii,  Baied,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  pp.  XLix,  766. 
Branta  hutchinsii,  Bannister,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1870,  131. 
Branta  canadensis  var.  hutchinsii,  CouES,  Key,  1872, 284 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  485b. 
Branta  canadensis,  c  hutchinsii,  OouBS,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  554. 

This  miniature  of  the  Canada  Goose  was  an  abundant  winter  visitant 
in  western  Nevada,  but  it  was  not  seen  anywhere  in  summer,  when  all  liad 
gone  northward  to  breed. 


BRANTA  KIGRICANS— ANAS  BOSGHAS,  621 

List  of  specimens, 

257,  <?  ad^  Truckee  Meadows  (Gamp  2G),  Nevada,  November  5,  1807.  34J— GU- 
IS— 13| — 1}| — 2| — G — 3^.  Bill,  deep  black  5  iria,  vaiidyke-browu  5  tarsi  and  toes,  dull 
brownish  slaty-black. 

258,  ^  ad.;  Gamp  26,  November  G,  1867.  304—01^—18— 14— 13—2^6— 2^. 
Same  remarks. 

Branta  nigricans. 

Black  Bi*ant. 

Anser  nigricans,  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  IV,  184G,  171,  pi.  — . 
Bernicla  nigricans,  Gassin,  Illust.  Birds  Gal.,  Tex.,  &c^,  1853,  53,  pi.  10. — Baird, 

Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  767 ;  Gat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  571. 
Branta  nigricans,  Bannister,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1870,  131. 

Branta  hernicla  var.  nigricans,  GouES,  Key,  1872,  284,  fig.  184b.— Henshaw, 
1875,  472. 

Branta  hernicla,  b.  nigricans,  Goues,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  557. 

The  Black  Brant  was  a  rare  winter  visitant  to  Pj^ramid  Lake,  where 
we  noticed  it  in  December,  1867,  but  did  not  obtain  specimens. 

Anas  boschas 

jflallard. 

{Te'-lehh  of  the  Washoes.) 

Anas  boschas,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  205.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  774; 
Gat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  576.- Goues,  Key,  1872, 285 ;  Gheck  List,  1873, 
No.  488 ;  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  559.— Henshaw,  1875,  472. 

The  '* Green-head"  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  ducks  of  the  Interior; 
it  is  hkewise  a  resident,  though  most  numerous  in  summer.  In  July,  this 
species,  witli  several  others,  particularly  the  Cinnamon  Teal  {Querquedula 
cyanoptera)  and  Gadwall,  were  found  in  great  abundance  at  the  Glendale 
Meadows,  where  they  were  breeding ;  at  that  time  they  were  molting,  and 
having  lost  their  quill-feathers,  many  were  ran  down  and  killed  with  sticks; 
thirteen,  including  the  several  species,  being  thus  obtained  in  a  single  fore- 
noon. 

List  of  specimens, 

119,  9  ad,;  Big  Bend  of  the  Truckee  (Gamp  12),  August  4,  1867.  214—23^94 
— 7| — 2 — 1^^ — (?) — (?).  Bill,  dark  greenish,  becoming  olivaceous-yellow  along  the 
commissure;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  fine  orange-chrome. 

1161,  eggs  (8);  south  shore  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  11, 1869.  Nest  in  the  grass, 
about  a  rod  from  the  shore. 


622  0BNITH0L06Y. 

Ohaulelasmus  streperus, 

Oadwall. 

Anas  strepera^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  176G,  200. 

Ohaulelasmus  streperus,  Geay,  1838.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  782 ;  Cat.  N. 

Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  584.— COUES,  Key,  1872,  28G;  Check  List,  J873,  No. 

491;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  563.— Henshaw,  1875,  474. 

During  the  breeding-season  this  was  by  far  the  most  abundant  of  the 
Ducks  in  the  Lower  Truckee  Valley,  where  in  May  it  outnumbered  all 
other  species  together.  The  specimens  killed  were  in  fine  condition  and  of 
excellent  flavor,  aflfording  a  delicious  addition  to  our  larder. 

TAst  of  specimens, 

770,  egg»  (9);  Triickee  Reservation,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  May  29,  18G8.  Nest  of 
down,  placed  ou  top  of  a  dilapidated  qest  of  a  Magpie,  in  a  willow  tree^  about  8  feet 
from  the  ground. 

MaREOA  AMERICANA. 
Buld-pate. 

Anas  americana^  Gmeltn,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  520. 

Mareea  americanay  Stephens,  Shaw's  Geu.  Zool.,  XII,  1824, 135.— Baird,  Birds 
N.  Am.,  1858,  783  5  Cat.  N.Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  585.— CoUES,  Key,  1872, 
280;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  493;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  504.— Henshaw,  1875, 
475. 

A  rather  common  summer  resident. 

List  of  specimens. 

1162,  eggs  (10)5  Babbit  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  11, 1869.  Nest  of  down, 
under  a  grease- wood  bush,  near  the  shore. 

Dafila  acuta. 

Pill-tall. 

Anas  acuta,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  202. 

Dafila  acuta^  Bonap.,  Corap.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 56.— Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 

776;   Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  578.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  286,  fig.  186; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  490;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  561.— Henshaw,  1875,  473. 

Not  abundant,  but  observed  in  November  at  the  Truckee  Meadows, 
and  in  December  near  Pyramid  Lake.  Not  seen  during  the  breeding- 
season. 


nettion  carolmen8i8---querquedula  oyanoptera.     623 
Nettion  garolestensis 

Oreen- winged  Teal. 

Anas  carolinensis,  Gmblin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1788,  533. 

Querquedula  carolinemiSf  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  Zool.,  XII,  1824,  128. — OouES, 

Key,  1872,  287;  Check  List,  1873,  I^o.  495;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  565.— Hen- 

SHAW,  1875, 475. 
Nettion  caroUnensiSj  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  777 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859, 

No.  579, 

Not  common,  but  shot  in  June  on  Antelope  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake. 

Querquedula  discors. 

Blue-i¥ing:ed  Teal. 

Anas  discors,  LiNN.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  I7G6,  205. 

Querquedula  discors,  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  ZooL,  XII,  1824, 149. — Baird,  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  779 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  581.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  287  ; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  496 ;  Birds  N. W.,  1874,  566.— Henshaw,  1875,  476. 

Rather  common  in  May  at  Pyramid  Lake,  where  breeding  in  the 
meadows. 

Querquedula  cyanoptera. 

Cliiiiamoii  Teal* 

Anas  cyanoptera,  Vieillot,  Nouv.  Diet.  d'Hist  Nat.,  V,  1816,  104. 

Querquedula  cyanoptera,  Cassin,  U.  S.  N.  (Gilliss')  Astron.  Exp.,  II,  1855,  202. — 
Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  780;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  582.— Coues, 
Key,  1872,  288;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  497;  Birds  N.W.^  1874,  567.— Hen- 
shaw, 1875,  477. 

This  handsome  species  was  common,  though  not  abundant,  throughout 
the  West,  both  in  the  Sacramento  Valley  and  in  the  Interior. 

List  of  specimens, 

100,  nest  and  eggs  (8);  Trackee  Meadows,  Nevada,  July  16,  1867.  Nest  in  tuft 
of  grass  in  meadow,  about  two  rods  from  the  river. 

775,  eggs  (9) ;  Truckee  Reservation,  June  1,  1868.  Nest  in  a  grease-wood  bush, 
near  tbe  water. 

1086,  c?  ad.;  mouth  of  Jordan  River,  Utah,  June  3, 1869.  16^24 J,  Bill,  black  ; 
iris,  orange  /  tarsi  and  toes,  orange,  joints  and  webs  blackish. 

1087,  9  ad,;  same  locality  and  date.  15J — 24.  Bill,  dusky,  paler  along  edge  and 
beneath  ;  iris,  brown ;  tarsi  and  toes,  ochraceous-drab. 


624  ornithology. 

Spatula  clype ata. 

Stiov4!llei% 

Anas  clypeataj  Linn.,  S.vst.  Nat.,  I,  176G,  200. 

Spatula  clppeataj  BoiE,  Isis,  J 822,  504.— Baiud,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  781;  Cat.  N. 

Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  583.— OoUES,  K«y.  1872, 288  j  Check  List,  1873,  No.  498; 

Birds  N.W.,  1874,  570.— Henshaw,  1875,  478. 

Common  at  Pyramid  Lake  in  May 


AlX  SPONSA. 
Wood  Duck. 

Anm  sponsaj  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1760,  207. 

Aix  spomaj  BoiE,  Isis,  1826,  329.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  785;  Cat.  N.  Am. 

Birds,  1859,  No.  587.— CouES,  Key,  1872,  288;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  499^ 

Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  571. 

One  pair  of  this  superb  Duck  was  seen  in  July,  among  the  cotton- 
woods  of  the  Truckee. 


Aythya  ameeicana. 

Bed-head. 

Fuligula  americanaj  Eyton,  Monograph  Anatida?,  1838,  155. 

Aythya  americana^  Bonap.,  Comp.  Rend.,  1856,  — .— Baied,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 

793;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  591. 
Aythya  ferina  var.  americana^  Allen,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  Ill,  1872,  183. 
Fuligula  ferina  var.  americana,  CoUBS,  Key,  1872,  289;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

503 ;  Birds  N. W.,  1874,  575.— Henshaw,  1875,  480. 

In  winter  this  is  an  abundant  species  on  the  lakes  of  the  Great  Basin. 
It  and  the  succeeding  species  are  frequently  used  by  the  Paiute  Indians  in 
making  very  artistic  and  elaborate  decoys,  which  have  a  body  of  bent  and 
twisted  dry  tules  (Scirpus),  with  the  skin  stretched  over  it,  the  head  prepared 
and  poised  in  a  style  equal  to  that  of  the  most  accomplished  taxidermist. 
The  floaiing  decoy  is  anchored  by  a  stone  tied  to  a  string,  the  other  end  of 
which  is  fastened  to  the  bill. 


AYTHYA  VALLISNERIA— FULIX  COLLABIS.  625 

Atthya  VALLISNERIA. 

€anvas-l»ack« 

Anas  valUsneriaj  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  VIII,  1814, 103,  pi.  7,  fig.  3. 

Fuligula  vallisneria,  (Stephens,  Sbaw's  Gen.  ZooL,  XII,  pt.  ii,  1824, 196.— CouES, 

Key,  1872,  290;  Check  List,  1873,  Ko.  504;  Birds  KW.,  1874,  575. 
Aythya  vallisneria^  BoiE,  Isis,  1826, 980.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  592. 

The  Canvas-back  was  abundant  in  winter  at  the  lakes  and  marshes  of 
the  Great  Basin,  and  it  was  also  shot  in  May  at  Pyramid  Lake,  when  other 
species  were  breeding.  In  June,  either  this  species  or  the  Red-head  was 
very  abundant  in  the  tule-sloughs  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento,  where 
they  were  undoubtedly  breeding.  We  could  obtain  no  specimens,  however, 
although  numbers  were  seen,  and  are  consequently  doubtful  as  to  the  species. 

FULTX  MARILA. 
Big  Black-head. 

Anas  marila^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766, 196. 

Fuligula  marilay  Stephens,  Shaw's  Gen.  ZooL,  XII,  pt.  ii,  1824,  198.— CouES, 

Key,  1872,289;  Check  List,  1873,' No.  500;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  573.— Hen- 

SHAW,  1875,  479. 
Fulix  marila,  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  791 ;  Oat.  N,  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  588. 

Winter  visitant  to  Pyramid  Lake. 

FULIX  AFPINIS. 

Liittle  Black-head. 

Fuligula  ajfinis,  Eyton,  Monograph  Anatidaa,  1838, 157.— CoiTES,  Key,  1872,  289; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  501 ;  Birds  N. W.,  1874,  573. 
Fulix  affinis,  Baied,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  791;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  589. 

Winter  visitant  to  Pyramid  Lake. 

FULIX  COLLABIS. 

BiniT-bill* 

Anas  collariSj  Donovan,  British  Birds,  VI,  1809,  pi.  147. 

Fuligula  collariSj  Bonap.,  List  Birds  Eur.,  1842,  — .—OouES,  Key,  1872,  289 ; 

Check  List,  1873,  No.  502;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  574.— Henshaw,  1875,  479. 
FuU(^  coUariSj  Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1868, 792 ;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  590. 

Pyramid  Lake,  in  December. 
40  p  R 


626  ORNITHOLOGY. 

BUOEPHALA  CLANGULA. 
Golden-eye. 

p.  amerkana. 

Clangula  amerioana^  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838,  53. 

Buceplmla  amerieana,  Baibd,  Birds  K.  Am.,  1858,  796  j  Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859, 

No.  593. 
Bucephala  clangula^  CouES,  Key,  1872,  290  (not -Anas  clangtila^  LiNN.,=J5tec^A- 

ala)i  Check  List,  1873,  No.  505;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  576.— Hbnshaw,  1875, 

480. 

Pyramid  Lake,  in  December. 

Bucephala  albeola. 

Batter-ball. 

Anas  albeolaj  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766, 199. 

Bucephala  albeola,  Bated,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  797 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No. 

695.-.OOUES,  Key,  1872,  290;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  507 ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874, 

577.— Henshaw,  1876,  482. 

Winter  resident  on  the  lakes  and  larger  rivers  of  the  Interior. 

List  of  specimem. 

387,  i  ad,}  Pyramid  Lake,  December  27,  1867,  14i-.24J— 7^— 5yV- li^— IJ— 
3 — IJ.  Bill,  deep  leaden-blae,  dusky  on  the  nail,  on  the  basal  portion  of  the  culmen, 
and  behind  the  nostril;  iris^  dark  vandyhe-brown ;  tarsi  and  feet,  clear  pinkish- white, 
with  a  slight  lilac  tinge.  * 

•  # 

EeISMATURA  EUBIDA. 
Ruddy  Buck. 

Anas  ruUday  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  YIII,  1814, 128, 130,  pi.  71,  flgs.  5, 6. 

EHsmatura  rubida,  Bonap.,  Comp.  &  Geog.  List,  1838, 59.— Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am., 
1858,  811;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No,  609.— CoUBS,  Key,  1872,  295;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  519;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  583,— Henshaw,  1875,  483. 

This  Duck,  the  adult  male  of  which  is  very  conspicuous  from  its 
peculiar  markings,  was  abundant  in  the  lagoons  near  Sacramento.  In  the 
Interior  it  seemed  to  be  rare,  a  female  killed  at  Pyramid  Lake,  in  Decem- 
ber, being  about  the  only  one  seen. 


MEEGUS  AMERICANUS— PELBCAlSrUS  ERYTHRORHTNOHUS.     627 

MeRGUS  MERGANSER. 
BuflT-breasted  Sheldrake. 

/?.  americarMS. 

Mergns  castor  var.  americanus,  Bonap.,  Comp.  Rend.,  XLIII,  1856,  — • 

Mergm  americanus^  Oassin,  Pr.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1853, 187. — Baied,  Birds 

N.  Am.,  1858,  813;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  611. 
Mergm  merganser^  OouES,  Key,  1872,  296 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  521 ;  Birds  N. 

W.,  1874,  583  (not  of  LiNN.).— Henshaw,  1875,  483. 

Truckee  and  Carson  Rivers,  during  the  winter. 

MeRGUS   SERRATOR. 
Red-breasted  Sheldrake. 

Mergtis  serrator,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  208.— Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  814; 
Cat.  N.  Am,  Birds,  1859,  No.  612,— CouES,  Key,  1872, 296;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  522 ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  584.— Henshaw,  1875,  484. 

Truckee  River  and  Pyramid  Lake,  in  December. 

liOPHODYTES   CUCULLATUS. 

Hooded  Sheldrake. 

Afergus  cucullatus^  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  207 — CouES,  Key,  1872,  296;  Check 
List,  1873,  No.  523  ;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  584.— HENSHAW,  1875,  484. 

Lophodytes  eucullatus,  Reich.,  Syst.  Av.,  1852,  ix. — Baibb,  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 
816 ;  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  613. 

This  handsome  species  was  occasionally  met  with  in  summer  in  the 
wooded  valleys  of  the  Truckee  and  Carson  Rivers,  but  it  seemed  to  be 
very  rare 

Family  PELECANIDJ]— Pelicans 
Peleoanus  erythrorhynghus. 

American  Pelican. 

(Bahns  or  Bah!-nm  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Pelecanm  erythrorhynchuSj  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1788, 571. — Baibd,  Birds  N.  Am., 

1858,  868;  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  615. 
Pelecanm  irachyrhynchm^  Latham,  Index  Orn.,  II,  1790, 884. — Ooues,  Key.  1872, 

300 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  526;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  586— HENSHAW,  1875, 484. 


{)28  ^  ORNITHOLOGY. 

Pehcanus  occipitalis^  BiDawAY,  American  SportsmaD,  Vol.  IV/No.  19,  Aug.  8, 
1874,  p.  297.  [Name  proposed  in  case  the  western  birds  prove  distinct  from 
the  eastern.^] 

In  July,  1867,  when  encaraped  at  the  Big  Bend  of  the  Truckee 
River,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Pyramid  Lake,  our  first  opportunity  was 
afforded  to  observe  the  habits  of  the  White  Pelican.     At  that  time  few 

'  In  the  author's  paper,  above  cited  [^'Breeding-ground  of  White  Pelicans  at  Pyr- 
amid Lake,  Nevada^],  certain  discrepancies  between  the  descriptions  given  by  various 
authors,  of  the  breeding  plumage,  and  form  of  the  mandibular  crest,  of  the  White 
Pelicans  of  the  northern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  continent,  and  the  characters 
of  those  observed  at  Pyramid  Lake,  are  noted ;  these  consisting,  in  brief,  of  the  pos- 
session by  the  latter  of  a  conspicuous  patch  of  dusky-grayish  on  the  occiput,  which 
is  wanting  in  the  fornier,  the  absence  of  a  yellowish  occipital  crest  and  a  rosy  tint  to 
the  plumage,  which  is  mentioned  in  nearly  all  descriptions,  the  smaller  general  size, 
and  other  minor  points  of  diflference.  Captain  Bendire,  however,  who  found  these 
birds  breeding  at  Lake  Milheur,  southeastern  Oregon  (see  Rod  and  Gun^  June  19, 
1875,  p.  194),  says  that  those  observed  by  him  had  a  white  occipital  crest,  while  he 
does  not  mention  any  dusky  occipital  spot.  This  apparent  difference  between  the  birds 
of  two  quite  adjacent  localities  is  explained,  however,  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Maynard,  who  from 
observations  on  a  specimen  kept  in  confinement,  ascertained  that  this  dusky  spot 
appears  only  after  the  occipital  crest  is  dropped;  and  that  this  takes  place  just  at  the 
close  of  the  breeding-season  is  proven  by  the  fact  that  our  visit  to  Pyramid  Lake  was 
in  the  latter  part  of  May,  when  these  birds  had  just  made  their  second  attempt  to  raise 
a  brood  of  young,  the  fimt  effort  having  been  foiled  by  the  gulls,  who  had  broken  and 
eaten  the  eggs.  It  is  a  notable  fact,  in  this  connection,  that  our  birds  possessing  the 
dusky  occipital  spot  had  dropped  the  mandibular  excrescence.  Mr.  Maynard's  bird  was 
obtained  in  Florida  (the  date  of  capture  is  not  mentioned),  and  had  then  the  mandib- 
ular excrescence  and  an  occipital  crest;  these  were  both  thrown  off  early  in  May,  when 
the  dusky  spot  on  the  occiput  made  its  appearance,  the  general  plumage  and  the  colors  of 
the  soft  parts  at  the  same  time  undergoing  certain  changes — the  brilliant  orange  of  the 
gular  sac  and  orbital  region  fading  to  yellow.  At  the  same  time,  however,  Mr.  May- 
naid's  specimen  differed  in  certain  respects  from  all  western  examples  which  we  have 
seen,  which  still  renders  it  likely  that,  as  we  suggested,  the  eastern  and  western  birds 
of  this  species  may  prove  to  be  different  races.  As  to  this,  Mr.  Maynard,  in  the 
article  cited  above,  says :  "  When  captured  be  [the  Florida  specimen]  had  a  fine  occip- 
ital crest  three  or  four  inches  in  length,  of  a  pale  straw-color  [italics  our  own].  *  ♦ 
The  feathers  of  the  back,  usually  the  tertiaries,  had  an  elongated  central  spot  of  pale 
roseate.  The  center  of  the  tail-feathers  were  also  of  a  beautiful  roseate  tinge.  Others  shot 
at  the  same  tiine  agreed  with  the  description  given  above.^  Mr.  Maynard  also  states  that 
his  bird  had  hazel  eyes  instead  of  white,  and  that  the  eyelids  were  yellow  instead  of 
red;  and  that ^* although  Audubon  and  Mr.  Kidgway  state  that  Pelicans  have  white 
eyes,  all  that  I  have  examined  have  hazel.^  It  may  yet  be  ascertained,  however,  that 
at  the  proper  season  (the  height  of  the  pairing-season)  the  western  White  Pelicans 
may  also  possess  the  rosy  tinge  to  the  plumage,  the  yellow  crept,  etc.,  and  that  the  color 
of  the  iris  may  be  to  a  certain  extent  dependent  on  age. 


PELEOANUS  EBYTHROEHYNCHUS.  629 

of  these  birds  were  seen,  only  a  solitary  individual  being  now  and  then 
startled  from  a  bed  of  driftwood  in  the  river  or  noticed  flying  overhead. 
In  August,  a  portion  of  the  party,  accompanied  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker, 
United  States  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  Nevada,  started  on  an 
excursion  to  explore  the  lake  and  visit  the  abode  of  the  Pelicans  on  the 
island  therein.  As  we  descended  the  river  the  number  of  Pelicans  seen 
increased  hourly,  and  when  we  reached  the  large  open  sheets  of  water 
protected  from  the  gales  and  swells  of  the  lake  by  the  intervening  areas  of 
rushes  and  reeds  (tules),  bodies  of  hundreds  of  these  melancholy-looking 
birds  were  seen  floating  quietly  upon  the  surface.  Tliey  were  exceedingly 
unsuspicious,  and  so  unmindful  of  our  approach  that  when  we  stopped  our 
boat  one  old  fellow  swam  slowly  toward  it  until  his  curiosity  brought  him 
within  gunshot  and  to  his  death.  Upon  reaching  the  lake  we  encamped 
on  the  sandy -shore  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river.  There  we  could  see  during  the  day  thousands  of  Pelicans,  as  they 
dotted  the  bosom  of  the  lake,  and  in  the  morning,  about  sunrise,  "strings'' 
of  several  hundreds  were  observed  flying  from  the  island,  about  tw&lve  miles 
distant,  where  they  had  passed  the  night,  to  their  feeding-grounds  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river.  At  such  times  they  flew  single-file,  their  manner  of 
flight  being  a  succession  of  slow  regular  flaps  of  the  wings,  which  at  inter- 
vals were  extended  to  their  full  length,  the  birds  sailing  thus  for  a  few  rods, 
when  the  flapping  was  resumed.  In*  their  flight,  the  line  preserved  the 
utmost  order  and  method ;  the  leader  being  invariably  the  first  to  beat  or 
extend  his  wings^  each  one  of  the  line  following  in  succession.  Occasionally 
an  individual  would  break  the  rank  and  alight  upon  the  water,  often  remain- 
ing in  one  spot  for  hours,  and  appearing  in  the  distance  like  a  white  boat 
at  anchor.  We  remained  here  at  our  shore-camp  about  three  days,  when, 
two  more  of  the  party  joining  us,  we  started  about  ten  o'clock  one  moon- 
light night  for  the  island,  which  we  reached  after  a  hard  row  of  about  three 
hours.  Our  arrival  at  the  island  startled  the  thousands  of  Pelicans  which  • 
were  slumbering  on  the  beach,  and  as  they  rose  into  the  air  the  noise  caused 
by  their  confusion  was  so  great  that  we  could  scarcely  hear  one  another's 
voices.  When  we  landed  they  had  all  flown  save  a  few  sick  or  old  birds, 
that  swam  silently  away  from  the  shore;  they  could  bo  plainly  seen,  how- 


Qm  PENITHOLOGY. 

ever,  in  the  bright  moonlight,  floating  as  a  mass  some  distance  out  upon  the 
water;  and  no  sooner  had  we  left  the  boat  than  they  turned  and  swam  slowly 
back  again.  Our  blankets  were  spread  upon  the  higher  ground,  some  dis- 
tance from  the  boat,  in  order  to  avoid  the  offensive  smell  of  the  roosting- 
ground.  No  sooner  had  we  retired  than  the  Pelicans  all  returned,  and  in 
the  morning,  when  we  awoke,  the  whole  beach  about  fifty  yards  distant 
was  covered  with  a  dense  crowd  of  these  gigantic  snow-white  creatures, 
who  scarcely  heeded  us  as  we  arose  from  our  blankets;  as  we  approached 
them,  however,  they  pushed  one  another  awkwardly  into  the  water,  or  rose 
heavily  and  confusedly  from  the  ground,  and  flying  some  distance  out  upon 
the  lake,  alighted  on  the  water.  Now  and  then,  one  swimming  from  the 
shore  would  turn  its  head  and  gaze  upon  us  with  a  melancholy  look ;  but 
the  majority  of  the  flock  remained  upon  the  water  only  a  short  time,  when 
they  arose  and  flew  over  us,  divided  into  battalions,  each  turning  its  head 
and  looking  down  upon  us  as  it  went  by. 

In  this  connection,  it  may  perhaps  be  well  to  remark  that  of  the  many 
individuals  killed,  including  old  and  young  of  both  sexes,  and  of  the  thous- 
ands seen,  not  one  possessed  at  this  time  the  horny  appendage  to  the  culmen 
of  the  upper  mandible,  so  characteristic  of  the  species  during  the  breeding- 
reason.  Three  specimens,  an  adult  male  and  female  and  a  full-grown  young 
bird  of  the  year,  were  prepared;  but  our  return  to  camp  being  attended  by 
many  difiiculties,  they  were  lost. 

The  next  visit  to  the  lake  was  made  in  December,  following,  when  Mr. 
Parker  extended  us  an  invitation  to  accompany  him  to  the  agency  of  the 
reservation;  but  during  our  stay  of  about  a  month  we  did  not  see  a  single 
Pelican,  all  having  retired  to  the  southward.  Their  return  was  first  observed 
about  the  twentieth  of  the  following  March,  when  we  noticed,  at  Carson 
City,  immense  flocks  of  them  passing  northward,  in  the  direction  of  the 
lake.  They  flew  at  a  gi^eat  height,  and  at  times  appeared  bewildered, 
moving  in  circles  and  deviating  from  the  course  they  had  pursued,  as  if 
uncertain  of  their  way. 

In  May,  1868,  the  lake  was  again  repaired  to,  and  at  this  time  we 
found  the  Pelicans  in  as  great  abundance  as  during  our  visit  the  summer 
previous;  they  appeared  to  be  much  more  active,  however,  pairs,  small 


PBLEOANUS  EEYTHROEHYl^CHUS.  631 

companies,  or  single  birds  flying  up  arid  down  the  river,  quite  near  the 
ground;  and  it  was  noticed  that  only  a  portion  of  them  possessed  the 
"  center-board,^'  although  all  exhibited  the  high-colors  of  the  feet  and  pouch 
found  only  in  the  fully  adult  birds  in  the  breeding-season. 

A  few  days  after  our  arrival,  we  visited  the  island  before  mentioned. 
This  island  is  situated  about  twelve  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  on 
the  southeastern  shore,  and  about  three  miles  from  the  nearest  point  on  the 
eastern  side,  just  off  which  is  the  remarkable  ^^  Pyramid,"  from  which  the 
lake  receives  its  name — a  wonderfully  regular  pyramidal  rock  about  three 
hundred  feet  high,  with  a  triangular  base.  The  island  itself  is  about  three 
miles  in  circuit;  its  central  portion  culminates  in  two  peaks  having  a  height 
of  about  five  hundred  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake,  while  the  northern 
and  southern  extremities  run  out  in  long,  pointed  beaches,  the  intervening 
eastern  shore  being  a  sloping  plateau,  with  a  water-front  of  perpendicular 
though  broken  rocks.  In  a  cave  on  this  rocky  shore  was  the  eyrie  of  a 
Bald  Eagle,  which  was  inaccessible  from  any  point,  although  it  could  be 
plainly  seen  from  above  through  a  crevice  in  the  rocks.  The  southern 
point  of  the  island  was  overgrown  by  grease-wood  bushes  of  an  unusually 
large  size,  and  on  the  top  of  each  of  these  was  the  nest  of  a  pair  of  Grreat 
Blue  Herons  [Ardea  herodias);  the  more  elevated  and  rocky  northern  shore 
was  covered  by  the  nests  of  an  immense  colony  of  GruUs  (Larus  californicus)^ 
while  the  northeastern  point,  a  long  strip  of  low  gravelly  beach,  extending 
for  a  hundred  yards  or  more  out  into  the  lake  from  the  main  shore,  was 
the  portion  of  the  island  which  had  been  selected  b)^  the  Pelicans  as  their 
breeding-ground.  This  drove  of  Pelicans,  which  comprised  several  hun- 
dred pairs,  had  previously,  during  the  same  season,  laid  their  eggs  on  the 
highest  part  of  the  eastern  plateau,  where  we  found  the  fragments  of  their 
eggs,  which  had  been  destroyed  by  their  incessant  enemies,  the  Gulls, 
strewn  over  an  area  of  about  two  acres'  extent.  This  old  breeding-ground 
was  discovered  by  us  during  our  first  exploration  of  the  island,  and  it  was 
not  until  a  week  or  so  later  that  we  found  the  new  settlement.  The  site 
of  the  latter  was  a  low  gravelly  point  extending  a  hundred  yards  or  more 
beyond  the  main  beach,  and  when  first  discovered  was  covered  by  a  com- 
pact body  of  Pelicans,  which  to  all  appearance  were  merely  resting,  since 


632  OBNITHOLOGT. 

many  of  them  were  standiBg.  Upon  proceeding  to  the  spot,  however,  it 
was  found  that  the  latter  were  male  birds,  standing  beside  their  mates,  who 
were,  themselves,  sitting  on  their  eggs.  At  our  approach  all  of  them  flew, 
and  alighted  some  distance  out  upon  the  water.  The  ground  was  then 
found  to  be  literally  covered  with  their  nests,  which  occupied  nearly  if  not 
quite  one-half  of  the  surface,  each  nest  consisting  merely  of  a  heap  of  gravel 
raked  into  a  pile  and  flattened  on  top,  and  without  any  additional  material, 
such  as  sticks  and  feathers,  like  those  of  the  Gulls.  No  nest  contained  more 
than  a  single  egg^  which  is  no  doubt  explained  by  the  fact  that  they  had 
laid  once  before  that  season.  One  hundred  and  nine,  altogether,  were  picked 
up,  and  when  blown  were  found  to  be  perfectly  fresh.  Many  nests  were 
empty,  so  that  it  is  altogether  likely  ^ome  of  the  birds  had  not  laid  yet. 
These  eggs  were,  with  scarcely  an  exception,  conspicuously  blood-stained, 
caused  in  part  by  their  large  size,  but  chiefly  by  the  roughness  of  their 
calcareous  coating;  the  haemorrhage  being  in  some  instances  so  copious 
that  half  the  surface  was  discolored. 

It  was  during  this  visit  to  Pyramid  Lake  that  the  fact  that  the  man- 
dibular excrescence  characteristic  of  this  species  is  deciduous  was  confirmed, 
it  having  been  first  ascertained,  so  far  as  we  know,  several  years  previous, 
by  Mr.  H.  G.  Parker,  of  Carson  City,  a  very  careful  and  intelligent  observer, 
at  that  time  United  State  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  Nevada,  who 
accompanied  us  upon  our  several  visits  to  the  lake.  Upon  our  arrival  there, 
early  in  May,  it  was  noticed  that  quite  a  number  of  the  Pelicans  did  not 
possess  this  appendage,  but  it  was  supposed  that  these  were  females;  and 
it  was  also  observed  that  there  was  a  very  perceptible  daily  increase  in  the 
number  of  such  individuals.  When  we  first  visited  the  island  none  of  these 
curious  appendages,  appropriately  styled  by  Mr.  Parker  ^^  center-boards," 
were  noticed;  but  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  they  became  so  numerous 
that  a  bushel  of  them  could  have  been  picked  up  in  a  short  time.  Some 
had  been  recently  dropped,  as  was  readily  detected  from  the  soft  texture 
of  the  surface  where  they  had  been  joined  to  the  culmen,  while  others  were 
dried  and  warped  by  the  sun,  having  been  cast  for  some  .time.  Among  the 
large  number  examined,  we  found  none  corresponding  in  shape  with  that 
figured  and  described  by  Mr.  Audubon,  namely,  "about  one  inch  high  .  ^    * 


PBLE0ANU8  EEYTHROEHTNOHUS.   '         633 

and  about  three  inches  in  length,  in  some  specimens  as  much  as  five  inches/' 
and  "continued  forward,  of  less  elevation,  to  the  extent  of  an  inch  farther"^ 
— all  being  of  quite  regular  and  firm  outline,  the  top  convex  or  arched,  the 
width  at  the  base  greater  than  that  through  the  middle;  they  were  also  with- 
out anterior  or  posterior  continuations.  The  usual  size  was  about  two  and  a 
half  inches  in  vertical  length,  and  the  same  in  width  at  the  base,  the  largest 
specimen  found  being  three  and  a  half  inches  high  by  three  wide.  Of  two 
now  before  us,  one  measiu-es  two  and  a  half  inches  from  the  center  of  the 
top  to  the  posterior  lower  angle,  three  and  a  quarter  from  the  same  point  to 
the  anterior  lower  corner,  and  a  little  more  than  two  and  a  half  inches 
along  its  base,  its  transverse  thickness  being  three-tenths  of  an  inch.  The 
other  measures  one  inch  and  eight-tenths  in  height  (the  fibers  running  per- 
pendicularly, instead  of  very  obliquely  backward,  toward  the  top)  by  two 
inches  and  seven-tenths  in  width  at  the  base.  In  some  examples  the  two 
edges  were  nearly  parallel,  the  general  form  being  thus  very  nearly  semi- 
elliptical  ;  but  such  specimens  were  rare,  the  usual  form  being  an  irregular 
arch. 

In  a  former  account  of  the  habits  of  the  White  Pelican  as  observed  at 
Pyramid  Lake,  published  in  the  American  Sportsman  (Vol.  IV,  No.  19, 
pp.  289  and  297),  we  stated  that  the  homy  excrescence,  characteristic  of 
tliis  species  in  the  breeding-season,  was  peculiar  to  the  male.  We  were  led 
to  make  this  statement  by  the  fact  that  of  the  several  specimens  dissected 
every  one  possessed  of  this  appendage  proved  to  be  a  male,  while  nearly 
all  those  in  which  it  was  absent  were  females.  We  did  not,  unfortunately, 
take  into  consideration  the  circumstance  that  the  breeding-season  was 
nearly  over,  and  that,  as  a  consequence,  a  very  large  proportion  (a  consid- 
erable majority,  in  fact)  of  these  birds  had  shed,  or  cast,  this  curious  decid- 
uous growth.  We  are  glad,  however,  to  have  our  error  corrected,  as  has 
been  done  by  several  observers  having  opportunities  which  were  not 
aflforded  ourselves  for  deciding  the  point,  and  who  furnish  satisfactory 
evidence  that  both  sexes  possess  the  so-called  "center-board."  According 
to  Dr.  T.  M.  Brewer  {Bod  and  Gun,  June  19,  1875,  p.  194),  the  error  of  our 
statement  was  perhaps  first  ascertained  by  Captain  Charles  Bendire,  U.  S.  A., 

^  Birds  of  America,  Oct.  ed.,  Vol.  VII,  p.  26,  pi.  422. 


634  .  ORNITHOLOGY. 

who  found  these  birds  breeding  in  immense  numbers  at  Lake  Malheur,  in 
southeastern  Oregon,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1866;  but  we  had  been  previ- 
ously corrected  by  Professor  F.  S.  Snow,  in  the  Observer  of  Nature  (Law- 
rence, Kansas),  June  4,  1875,  and  by  Mr.  N.  S.  Goss,  of  Neosho  Falls, 
Kansas,  in  the  Bod  and  Oun  for  June  12,  1875  (page  167).  That  the 
mandibular  crest  of  this  species  is  really  deciduous,  howevei^,  has  been  fully 
confirmed  by  recent  observers ;  and  regarding  this  remarkable  fact,  it  may 
be  proper  to  state  here,  that  it  was  first  discovered  by  Mr.  H.  Gr.  Parker,  of 
Carson  City,  Nevada  (in  about  1865),  and  first  published  by  us,  through 
Professor  BaircJ,  in  The  Ibis  (London),  in  1869  (p.  350). 

The  length  of  time  required  for  the  perfect  development  of  this  ap- 
pendage is  not  known.  From  the  articles  cited  above,  however,  we  know 
that  it  is  to  be  found  from  the  16th  of  April  until  June  3d,  so  that  it  may 
therefore  fairly  be  presumed  that  its  growth  commences  early  in  the  spring 
or  late  in  winter;  and  we  have  also  positive  proof  that  it  falls  off  of  many 
individuals  as  soon  as  the  beginning  of  May,  and  that  by  the  end  of  the 
latter  month  exceedingly  few  which  possess  it  are  to  be  found ;  while  it  is 
also  certain  that  it  does  not  exist  on  any  specimens  during  the  latter  part  of 
summer,  in  fall,  or  in  the  early  part  of  winter.  As  to  the  use  of  this  append- 
age, no  plausible  theory  has  yet  been  proposed,  so  far  as  we  know ;  it  cer- 
tainly is  not  a  weapon  of  defense  or  offense,  since  in  that  case  it  would 
hardly  be  possessed  by  both  sexes,  while  it  is  also  well  known  that  few 
birds  are  less  combative  than  the  Pelican. 

There  are  many  seasonal  changes  of  plumage  in  this  species  which  are, 
as  yet,  only  very  imperfectly  understood,  but  which  we  hope  soon  to  see 
made  clear  by  the  observations  of  those  who  have  the  opportunity  to  study 
these  birds  in  nature  during  diflFerent  times  of  the  year.  These  problems 
have  been  fully  discussed  by  us  in  the  paper  in  the  American  Sportsman, 
alluded  to  above,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for  information  on  this 
point. 

List  of  spedmens. 

749,  9  ad.;  Pyramid  Lake,  Kevada,  May  19, 1868.  62—106—25^—19.  Weight, 
15  pounds.  General  hue  of  the  bill,  reddish  salmon-color,  the  culraen  dirty  whitish, 
the  reddish  deepening  on  the  nail  and  edges  of  the  mandibles  into  orange-red ;  lower 
mandible  deeper  reddit^h  than  the  upper,  and  growing  more  intense,  or  brick-red, 


GRACULUS  FLOEIDANUS.  635 

basally;  gular. pouch,  passing  from  nearly  white  anteriorly,  through  rich  yellow  and 
..then  orange,  into  intense  dragon's-blood-  or  brick-red  at  the  base,  and  with  a  blackish 
suffusion  anteriorly ;  loose,  flabby  skin  of  the  lores  and  orbital  region,  rich  orange- 
yellow  ;  eyelids,  dark  dragon's-blood-red ;  iris,  clear  pearl-white  5  naked  portion  of  the 
tibia,  tarsi,  and  feet,  intense  orange-red,  so  deep  as  to  have  the  appearance  of  having 
been  dyed*    [  Without  the  mandibular  process,] 

766,  i  ad'.;  Pyramid  Lake,  May  28,  1868.  62— 101— 24 J— 18^.  Weight,  17 
pounds.    Same  remarks.    [  Without  the  mandibular  process.] 

570-679,  eggs  5  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  May  16, 1868.  One  hundred  and  nine 
eggs,  from  as  many  nests.  Nests,  mere  heaps  of  gravel,  with  a  slight  depression  on  top, 
crowded  together  on  a  narrow  point  of  the  island,  only  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  of 
the  lake. 


Family  QEACULIDJl— Cormorants. 
Graoulus  dilophus. 

Double-crested  Cormorant. 

/?.  floridanus. 
{Pah'tsik' 'Wy-he  or  Pah-tsik'-we  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Phalacrocorax  floridanus,  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  387;  B.  Am.,  oct.  ed., 

VI,  430,  pi.  417. 
Oraculus  floridanus,  Bonap.,  Consp.  Av.,  II,  1855,  172.— Lawrence,  in  Baird's 

Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  879.— Baibd,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  624. 
Graculus  dilophus  var.  floridanus,  CouES,  Key,  1872,  303;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

530a. 
Oraculus  dilophus.  b.  floridanus,  CouES,  Birds  N.  W.,  1874,  587. 

This  Cormorant  was  very  abundant  at  Pyramid  Lake  and  along  the 
lower  portion  of  the  Truckee  River,  being  the  only  species  of  the  family 
occurring  in  that  vicinity.  It  was  found  from  May  until  August,  but  in 
December  none  were  observed.  Small  congregations  were  frequently  to  be 
seen  during  the  summer-time,  perched  upon  the  snags  far  out  in  the  lake,  the 
latter  being  nearly  submerged  cotton- wood  trees  which  marked,  at  that  time, 
the  former  course  of  the  river  when  the  lake  occupied  more  restricted  limits.^ 

^  As  is  the  case  with  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  Pyramid  Lake  has  risen  many  feet 
within  the  last  few  years,  the  principal  encroachment  being  on  the  low  land  adjacent 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Truckee  River,  which  at  the  time  of  our  last  visit  was  thrown  a 
mile  or  more  back  from  its  former  location,  as  marked  by  the  line  of  partly-submerged 
trees  alluded  to  above. 


636  ORNITHOLOGY. 

On  these  tree-tops  many  of  their  nests  were  found,  these  being  composed 
of  sticks,  and  containing  one  to  three  eggs  each. 

Besides  the  specimen  in  our  collection,  an  adult,  in  the  nuptial  plu- 
mage, was  killed  in  May,  but  was  not  preserved ;  in  this  specimen  the  fol- 
lowing differences  were  noted  in  the  colors  of  the  soft  parts:  Iris,  brilliant 
green ;  eyelids,  and  whole  interior  of  the  mouth,  bright  cobalt-blue ;  gular 
sac,  deep  prange. 

List  of  specimens. 

127,  9  juv.;  Pyramid  Lake,  August  13,  1867.  33J — 52^.  Bill,  dull  brownish- 
yellOw,  nearly  black  on  the  culmen  j  gular  sac,  dull  chrome-yellow  j  iris,  greenish- 
gray  5  tarsi  and  toes,  deep  black. 

735,  egg  (1)  'y  Pyramid  Lake,  May  17, 1868.  Nest  in  top  of  cotton-wood  tree,  at 
mouth  of  the  river. 

761,  egg  (1)  'y  Pyramid  Lake,  May  20,  1868.    Same  remarks. 


Family  L ARID JE — Gulls  and  Terns. 
Blasipus  heermanni. 

Heermann^s  Oull. 

Larus  heermanni,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  VI,  1852, 187. 

Blasipus  heermannij  BoNAP.,  Consp.  Av.,  II,  1856,  21L— Lawrence,  in  Baird's 

Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  848.— Baird,  Oat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1869,  No.  666. 
Larus  (Blasipus)  heermanni^  ScL.  &  Salv.,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.,  1875,  574 

(fig.).— COUES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  641. 
Larus  bekheri,  SCHLEG.,  Mus.  Pays-Bas,  Lari,  9  (part). — CouES,  Check  List, 

1873,  No.  531. 
Larus  fBlasipusJ  belcfierij  CoUES,  Key,  1872,  314. 

Found  only  along  the  Pacific  coast.     Represented  in  our  collection  by 
a  specimen  presented  by  Mr.  Parker. 

List  of  specimens. 

429, «  i  juv.;  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  Pehruary  20, 1868.   I7f — 42— (!)— 10.'^  (Pre- 
sented by  H.  Q.  Parker.) 


LARUS  CALIFORNIOUS.  637 

Larus  CALIFORNICUS. 
California  Ooll. 

(Que-nahk'-et  or  Gui-ni' -heet  of  the  Paiutes.) 

f  Larm  argentatoides^  BoNAP.,  Synop.,  1828,  360. 

Larus  califomicus^  Lawrence,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  VI,  1854,  79;  in  Baird's 

Birds  K  Am.,  1858,  846.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  663 OouES, 

Birds  N.W.,  1874,  634. 

Larm  delawarensis  vav.  cali/ornicusy  Coues,  Key,  1872,  313;  Check  List,  1873, 
No.  548a. 

This  species  was  the  only  Gull  found  in  the  Great  Basin  during  sum- 
mer, but  it  was  apparently  entirely  absent  in  winter,  when  its  place  was 
supplied  by  L,  delawarensis.  It  was  abundant  both  at  Pyramid  Lake  and 
Great  Salt  Lake,  on  the  rocky  islands  of  which  it  nested  in  immense 
colonies.  At  the  foimer  locality,  many  hundred  pairs  occupied  a  portion  of 
the  northern  shore  of  the  main  island,  where  the  ground  was  elevated  many 
feet  above  the  lake,  with  a  broken  ledge  of  rock  along  the  shore  as  well  as 
above  their  breeding-ground.  Here  their  nests  covered  several  acres  of 
ground,  and  were  thickly  strewn  over  the  surface ;  each  consisted  of  an 
external  rim  of  gravel  and  other  rubbish  raked  into  a  pile,  the  center  hol- 
lowed out  and  lined  with  a  few  feathers  and  sticks ;  the  number  of  eggs,  of 
which  many  bushels  were  gathered  for  food,  varied  from  one  to  four  in  a 
nest,  and  among  this  immense  quantity  we  noticed  very  remarkable  ex- 
tremes of  form,  size,  and  colors,  the  series  selected  for  preservation  illustra- 
ting the  principal  of  these  variations.  While  their  nests  were  being  despoiled, 
the  Gulls  kept  up  a  constant  clamor,  some  hovering  over  our  heads,  but  most 
of  them  perched  in  rows  on  the  ledge  of  rocks  back  from  the  breeding- 
ground.  Over  fifty  specimens  were  shot,  and  among  these  slight  individual 
discrepancies  were  noted,  the  principal  one  being  in  the  distinctness  of  the 
black  spots  near  the  end  of  the  bill,  which  in  a  few  were  entirely  obsolete, 
in  some  distinct  on  both  mandibles,  and  in  others  of  intermediate  develop- 
ment. The  examples  in  the  collection,  enumerated  below,  were  selected 
with  a  view  to  represent  the  extreme  variations  detected  in  the  large  series 
examined. 


6B8  ORNITHOLOGY, 

List  of  specimens. 

Ill,  S  ad.;  Truckee  River,  at  Big  Bend,  July  29, 1867.  21|— d3— 15|— 12— 2^— 
2J — ^ — 2J.  Bill,  greenish  lemon-yellow,  the  terminal  third  of  the  lower  mandible 
bright  orange-red,  tinged  with  carmine,  the  tip  again  yellow  j  a  distinct  dusky  spot  in 
the  middle  of  the  red,  and  one  immediately  above  it,  near  end  of  upper  mandible ; 
rictus  and  eyelids,  vermilion-red;  iris,  dark  hazel;  tarsi  and  toes^  light  ashy  pea-green ; 
claws,  black. 

680-734,  eggs;  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  May  16, 1868. 

739-747,  eggs;  same  locality,  May  18, 1868. 

752,  $  ad,;  island  in  Pyramid  Lake,  May  20,  1868.  22-.54— 13J.  Bill,  deep  na- 
ples-yellow,  tinged  with  chrome,  and  having  a  distinct  band  of  dusky  near  the  end, 
which  is  grayish- white ;  the  dusky  spot  on  the  lower  mandible  followed  posteriorly  by 
a  spot  of  deep  orange-red;  rictus  and  eyelids,  vermilion ;  im,  vandyke  hrown;  tarsi 
and  toes  J  pale  pea-green,    [Compare  with  notes  on  L.  delawarensis,  as  given  below.] 

753-760,  eggs;  same  locality.  May  22, 1868. 

800,  S  ad.;  same  locality,  May  25, 1868.  22f — 55J — (?)— 13J.  Same  remarks  as 
to  No.  Ill,  but  black  spots  of  the  bill  obsolete. 

801, ^ ad.;  same  locality  and  date.  225 — ^^ — (?)— 13^.  Same  remarks;  black 
spots  distinct. 

802, 9  ad.;  same  locality  and  date.    21^ — 51 J — (!) — ^12|.    Black  spots  obsolete. 

1199-1217,  eggs;  Oarrington  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  17,  1869.  (Collected 
by  R.  N.  Davis  and  S,  Watson.) 


Larus  DELAWARBNSIS. 
Binir-billed  Oull. 

(Que-nahJc'-et  of  the  Paiutes.) 

Larus  delawarensisy  Obd,  Quthrie^s  Geog.,  2d  Am.  ed.,  II,  1815,  319.— Lawb.,  in 
Baird^s  Birds  K  Am.,  1868,  846.— Baird,  Cat.  K.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  ISo.  664.— 
OouES,  Key,  1872, 313;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  548;  Birds  KW.,  1874,  636.— 
Henshaw,  1875,  485. 

This  Gull  was  observed  only  as  a  winter  sojourner  at  Pyramid  Lake, 
being  entirely  absent  from  there  in  summer. 

List  of  specimens. 

365,  9  ad,;  Pyramid  Lake,  Nevada,  December  21, 1867.  18— 45-^14^— 124— 1^ 
— 1|*-5|— 2j!^.  Bill,  greenish  naples-yellow,  with  a  transvei-se  band  of  deep  black 
near  the  end ;  rictas  and  eyelids,  vermilion-red ;  interior  of  the  mouth,  deep  orange- 
red,  growing  more  intense  posteriorly;  iriSy  light  naplesyeltow ;  tarsi  and  feet^  deep^ 
light,  naples-yellow.    [Compare  with  notes  on  L.  californicusj  given  above.] 


CHRCECOOEPHALUS  PHILADELPHIA— STERNA  FORSTERL       639 

ChRCECOCEPHALUS   PHILADELPHIA. 
Bonaparte^s  Gull. 

Sterna  philadeJphia,  Obd,  Gathrie'S  Geog.,  2d  Am.  ed.,  II,  1815,  319. 
Ghrcecocephalus  Philadelphia^  Lawr,,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  852. — Baird, 
Cat.  K  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  670. 

Larus  philade'phia,  Gray,  List.  Br.  Birds,  1863,  235.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  316; 
Check  List,  1873,  No.  556. 

Larus  (Chrmcocephalus)  Philadelphia^  CoTJES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  655. 
Not  seen  by  us. 

lAst  of  specimens, 

430,  "  9  ad.;  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  February  1, 1868.  13J— 31|— {!)— SJ."  (Pre- 
sented by  H.  G.  Parker.) 

Sterna  regia. 

Royal   Tern. 

Sterna  regia,  Gambbl,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  IV,  1848, 228.— Lawr.,  in  Baird's 
Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  859.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.,  B.,  1859,  No.  683.— CouES, 
Key,  1872, 319 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  562. 

Thalasseus  regius^  Gambel,  Jour.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  I,  2d  ser.,  1849,  228. 
Sterna  (Thalasseus)  regia,  CouES,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  669. 

This  powerful  Tern  was  more  or  less  common  in  May  at  Washoe  Lake 
and  near  Pyramid  Lake,  in  September  at  the  Humboldt  Marshes,  and 
among  the  marshes  near  Salt  Lake  City  in  June  and  July. 

Sterna  forsterl 

Forster^s   Tern. 

Sterna  forsteri^  Nuttall,  Man.  Orn.,  II,  1834,  274  (foot-note).— Lawr.,  in  Baird^s 
Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  862.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  691.— Ooxjes, 
Key,  1872,  321;  Check  List,  1873,  No.  566  j  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  676.— Hen- 
SHAW,  1875,  486. 

Sterna  havelli,  Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  V,  1839,  122,  pL  409,  fig.  1  (=  yoien^).— 
Lawr.,  in  Baird^s  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  «61.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds, 
1859,  No.  686. 

Forster's  Tern  was  very  common  in  June  at  Sacramento,  and  through- 
out the  summer  in  the  vicinity  of  Pyramid,  Ruby,  and  Franklin  Lakes,  and 


640  OBNITHOLOGY. 

the  Humboldt  Marshes.  It  was  met  with  afterward  at  Great  Salt  Lake, 
where  it  was  the  most  abundant  species,  far  exceeding  in  numbers  even  the 
Eydrochelidon  lariformis. 

List  of  specimens. 

1085,  S  jm.;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  June  2, 1869.  14J-^0J.  Terminal  half  of 
bill,  black;  basal  half,  dull  orange-red;  iris,  brown;  tarsi  and  toes,  beautiful  rich 
orange-red, 

HYDROOHELEDOlir  LAEIFORMIS. 
Black  Tern. 

Ballm  Uriformisj  LiNN.,  Syst  Nat.,  I,  ed.  10, 1758, 153  {European). 

Eydrochelidon  lariformisy  Coues,  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  704.— Henshaw,  1875,  487. 

Sterna  JissipeSy  Lnra/,  Syst.  Nat.,  1, 1766,  228  {European). 

Eydrochelidon  fissipes^  Gray,  Genera  of  Birds,  III,  1849, 660  {European).— Goxms^ 
Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1862,  554;  Key,  1872,  323;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 
675  {American). 

Sterna  plumhea^  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  VII,  1813,  83,  pi.  LXix,  flg.  —{American). 

Eydrochelidon  plumbea^  Lawb.,  in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  864.— Baird,  Oat. 
N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  695. 

This  lively  and  interesting  Tern  was  an  exceedingly  numerous  species 
at  Sacramento,  as  well  as  about  the  extensive  marshes  of  the  Interior,  At 
the  former  locality  they  were  seen  about  every  pool  in  the  outskirts  of  the 
city,  flitting  over  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  across  the  meadows,  uttering 
their  harsh  note  of  hriky  krik^  krikj  as  they  flew.  They  were  so  unsuspicious 
that  the  town  boys  often  killed  them  with  stones  or  clubs  thrown  at  them 
when  flying. 

List  of  specimens. 

59  $  ad.;  Sacramento  City,  California,  June  19,1867.  9J— 24J— 8^6|— IJ — 
A — ^i — ^*  ^i^'j  d^P  black ;  rictus,  purplish  lake-red  j  interior  of  mouth,  lavender- 
pink  ;  iris,  hazel ;  tarsi  and  toes^  dark  purple ;  claws,  black. 


PODIOEPS  OOCIDENTALia  641 

Family  PODIOIPIDiE— Grebes. 

PODICEPS  OCCIDEl^TALIS. 
IVestern  Grebe. 

Podiceps  occidentalism  Lawbence,  ia  BaircFs  Birds  K  Am.,  1858, 894.— Baied,  Cat. 

]^.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  704.— CoUES,  Key,  1872,  336 ;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

608.— Henshaw,  1875,  488. 
^chmophorus  occidentalism  CouES,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1862,  229. 

Fodiceps  (JScJmopliorusJ  occidentalis.  a.  occidentalism  CouES,  Birds  N. W.,  1874, 

727. 

This  large  Grebe  was  very  abundant  in  Pyramid  Lake,  where  it 
appeared  to  be  a  permanent  resident.  Tlie  specimen  in  the  collection  was 
found  ^'snow-bound"  in  the  sage-brush  near  Carson  City,  being  discovered 
by  its  tracks  in  the  deep  snow,  where  it  had  scrambled  along  for  a  hundred 
yards  or  more.  It  was  headed  toward  the  Carson  River,  and  had  evidently 
come  from  Washoe  Lake,  about  five  miles  distant,  and  becoming  exhausted 
by  the  long  flight  had  fallen  to  the  ground.  In  Pyramid  Lake,  these  Grebes 
were  exceedingly  abundant  in  May,  and  were  constantly  in  sight  from  our 
boat.  When  fired  at  with  a  rifle  they  would  dive  at  the  report,  and  upon 
their  reappearance  generally  showed  only  the  head  or  head  and  neck  above 
the  surface;  but  they  swam  so  low  in  the  water  that  we  found  it  exceed- 
ingly difficult  to  kill  them;  one  was  shot,  however,  and  was  found  to  agree 
exactly  in  colors  and  other  respects  with  the  specimen  in  our  collection.^ 

List  of  specimens, 

402,  i  ad.;  Carsou  City,  Nevada,  Jauuary  13,  1868.  26— 40— 8— 5|— 3— 2f— (?) 
— (?).  Bill,  dull,  rather  light  yellow,  the  lower  maudible  deepeuing  into  orange  termi- 
nally ;  culmen  and  broad  longitudinal  space  on  the  side  of  the  basal  two-thirds  of  the 
lower  mandible,  dark  olive-green,  the  former  nearly  black;  iris,  pure  carmine  (having 
much  the  appearance  of  a  red  currant),  growing  narrowly  whitish  around  the  pupil ; 
tarsi  and  toes,  dull  olivaceous  yellow,  the  outer  side  of  the  tarsus  and  joints  of  the 
toes  nearly  black. 

^  The  seasonal  changes  of  plumage,  so  remarkable  in  moat  Grebes,  do  not  manifest 
themselves  in  the  species  of  this  group  (P.  occidentalis  and  P.  clarki),  the  colors  and 
markings  being  identical  in  winter  and  in  the  breeding-season.  Even  the  young  do  not 
differ  appreciably  from  the  adult,  as  is  seen  from  a  specimen  collected  the  past  season 
in  Nevada,  by  Mr.  Henshaw.  In  view  of  these  facts,  as  well  as  in  justice  to  important 
peculiarities  of  form,  we  should  now  use  the  generic  name  u^chmophorusm  proposed  by 
Dr.  CouES,  for  this  group. 
41  P  R 


642  ORNITHOLOGY. 

PODICEPS  CRISTATUS- 
Crested  Grebe. 

Colymbm  crisiatus,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  222. 

Podieeps  cristatus,  Latham,  Ind.  Orn.,  II,  1790,  780.— Lawr.,  in  Baird's  Birds 
N.  Am.,  1858,  893.-.BAI11D,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1869,  No.  703.— CoUES,  Key, 
1872,  336  J  Check  List,  1873,  No.  609  5  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  729. 

This  species  was  quite  numerous  in  August  and  September  in  Franklin 
Lake,  but  no  specimens  could  be  obtained.  It  is  no  doubt  a  summer-resi- 
dent in  suitable  localities  throughout  the  Basin. 

PODICEPS  AURITUS. 
Eared  Ore  be*. 

/S,  calif ornicus — California  Grebe. 

Podieeps  caUfornieus^  Heermann,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Philad.,  1854,  179.— Lawr., 
in  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858,  896.— Baird,  Cat.  N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  707. 

Podieeps  auritus  var.  ealif ornicus^  Coues,  Key,  1872,  337  5  Oiieck  List,  1873,  No. 
012;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  733.— Henshaw,  1875,  489. 

This  little  Grebe  was  usually  found  in  the  same  localities  with  P.  occi- 
dentaliSj  and  like  it  was  a  constant  resident.  In  Soda  Lake,  on  the  Carson 
Desert,  we  observed  a  very  large  flock  of  what  was  probably  this  species, 
but  they  kept  so  far  from  the  shore  that  the  species  could  not  be  deter- 
mined beyond  doubt.     They  were  exceedingly  clamorous. 

List  of  specimens, 

366,  S  ad.;  Pyramid  Lake  (mouth  of  the  Truckee  River),  December  21, 1867.  12 
— 21 — 5 — 3f .  Upper  mandible,  greenish-black,  growing  pale  ashy  olive-green  on  basal 
third  of  the  commissure  (broadly)  and  on  the  culmen ;  lower  mandible,  ashy  olive- 
green,  paler  below,  and  more  yellowish  basally  5  iris,  bright  orange-red,  more  scarlet 
outwardly,  and  with  a  fine  thread-like  white  ring  around  the  pupil ;  tarsi  and  toes, 
dull  blackish  on  outer  side,  passing  on  the  edges  into  olive  green ;  inner  side,  dull  light 
yellowish -green ;  inner  too,  apple  green.    [In  winter  plumage.] 


PODILYMBUS  PODICEP8  643 

PODILYMBUS   PODICEPS 
Thick-billed  Orebe* 

Golymbm  podiceps,  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1766,  223. 

Podilymhus  podicepsj  Lawrence,  Baird's  Birds  N.  Am.,  1858, 898, — Baird,  Cat. 

N.  Am.  Birds,  1859,  No.  709.~-CouES,  Ke3^  1872,  338;  Check  List,  1873,  No. 

614;  Birds  N.W.,  1874,  737.— Henshaw,  1875,  490. 

This  common  Grebe  was  a  resident  species  in  all  suitable  localities. 

List  of  specimens. 

264,  jut?.;  Truckee  River  (Camp  26),  November  18,  1867.  15—22—5^4—1/^— 
Ig — C?;— (^).  Bill,  horn-color,  becoming  blackish  basally  and  on  the  culmen ;  lower  man- 
dible, more  lilaceous,  with  a  dusky  lateral  stripe;  iris,  of  three  distinct  colors,  dis- 
posed in  concentric  rings,  the  first  (around  the  pupil)  clear  milk-white,  the  next  dark 
olive-brown,  the  outer  pale  ochraceous-brown,  the  dark  ring  reticulated  into  the  lighter; 
tarsi  and  toes,  greenish -slate,  the  joints  darker. 

454,  9  ad.;  Carson  City,  March  24,  1868.  131—21^—5—3^.  Bill,  clear  opaque 
white,  or  milk-white,  purest  posterior  to  a  black  band  across  its  terminal  third,  the 
anterior  portion  with  a  strong  tinge  of  slaty -blue;  eyelids,  pure  white;  lores,  more 
Dluish ;  iris,  rich  dark  brown,  with  a  narrow  outer  ring  of  ochraceous-white,  the  two 
colors  reticulated  together;  next  the  pupil,  a  fine  thread-like  ring  of  white;  tarsi  and 
toes,  greenish  slate-black  on  the  outer  side,  plumbeous  on  the  inner  side. 


INDEX    TO    PAET    I. 


(Synonyms  in  italics.) 


Page. 

Acervularia 31 

pentagona 31 

Acrochordixjeras 124 

Hyatti 124 

Alveolites 25 

multilamella — 25 

(undetsp.) 26 

Atnmouitoid  forms  of  the  Upper 

Triassic  of  Nevada 105 

ANATINID-2E 46, 136 

Ancbura  • 160 

ffusiformis 163 

Ancylus  undulatus 186 

Anisomyon , 162 

sexsulcatus? 162 

Anomia  raetiformis 141 

Anomiib^ 141 

APORRHAID^ 160 

Arcestes 119 

Gabbi 121 

1  perplanus 120 

Arcestid^ 119 

Arcid^ .134, 148 

Articulata 20,  48 

Atbyris '•  •  81 

f  persinuata 81 

Koissyi 82 

subtilita 83 

Atrypa 38 

reticularis 38 

Atjriculid^ ^ 175 

Aviculopecten 93 

catactus 93 

occidaneus 96 

Utaheusis 95 


Page. 

Axinsea «...       149 

Wyomingensis 149 

Belemnites 138 

Kevadensis 138 

Belemnitid^ 138 

Brachiopoda 36,  62 

Oampeloma 179 

macrospira 179 

(uudet.  sp.) 181 

Campophyllum 57 

Carboniferous  species  . .  e 50 

Cardiid^ ....      151 

Cardium  curtum 151 

subcurtum 152 

Carnifex .......      187 

( Vortifex)  Binneyi 187 

Tryoni 188 

Cephalopoda 47, 98, 104, 138 

Ceriphasiid^ 176,193 

Clydonites 109 

Clydonitid^ 107 

Coaocoryphe 20 

(Ptyclioparia)  Kingii . .        20 

Corbicula 167 

( Veloritina)  Durkeei 167 

Corbula   170 

(Anisorhyncbus  ?)    Engel- 

manni 174 

( Anisorbyncbus)  pyriforinis.      170 

(undet.  sp.) 150 

CORBULIDiE 150, 170 

Ooroceras i 107 

Cretaceous  species 140 

Crustacea 48 

Cucullaea 134, 148 

645 


646 


INDEX  TO  PART  I. 


Pago. 

Cucullaea  Haguei 134 

(Trigonarcaf)  obliqua 148 

C  YATHOPHYLLID^ 28,  52 

Cyathophjllum 33,60 

(Campophyllum?) 

Nevadensis , . CO 

Palmeri 33 

subcsespitosum  .,.•  60 

(undet.  sp.) 57 

Cyprimeria 158 

I  subalata 158 

0  YRENID  JE 107, 182 

Dalmanites 48 

(undet.  sp.) 48 

Devonian  species 25 

Dipbyphyllum  ........ 29 

fasciculatum 29 

Discina  .........: 99 

(undet.  sp.) 99 

DisciNiD  JS 99 

Edmondia 46 

!  Pinonensis 46 

Endiscoceras 128 

Gabbi 128 

Bntomoceras 126 

Laubei 126 

Favosites 27 

polymorpha 27 

Favositit)-^ 25, 50 

Fossils  Of  the  Bear  River  fresh-  and 

brackish-water  beds 163 

Gasteropoda 159, 175, 186 

Gouiatites 98 

'    goniolobus 98 

GONIATITIDJE     98 

Goniobasis 193 

Simpsoni 193 

Gymnotoceras 110 

Blakei 113 

rotelliforme Ill 

Gyrodes  depressa  . . 159 

Halobia 100 

(Daonella)  Lommeli 100 

Hemipronites 35,  62 

Ohemungensis  far, 

arctostriata 35 


Page. 

Hemipronites  crenistria 62 

Inoceramus 142 

deformis 146 

erectus 145 

problematicus 142 

Simpsoni 142 

(undet.  sp.) 144 

Introductory  remarks 1 

Jurassic  species 130 

Lamellibranohiata  .... 46, 92, 100, 

130,  164, 182 

Leiorhynchus 79 

quadricostatus .  79 

Lima 130 

(Limatula)  erecta .  - 130 

LiMiD^ 130 

Limnsea 181, 191 

(Limnophysa)  nitidula 181 

vetusta 191 

(Polyrhytis)  Kingii 192 

similis i  191 

LlMNJEID^ 181, 186 

Litbostrotiou 58 

Whitneyi 58 

LucmiD^.. 102 

Lunulicardium  fragosum 93 

Mactra  (Cymbophora?)  Utahensis . .  155 

Emmonsi 153 

(Trigonella  ?)  arenaria  .....  154 

Mactrid^ , 153 

Melanial  sculptilis 195 

f  subsculptilis 196 

Melaniid^ 195 

Modiomorphaf  alata    • 103 

!  ovata .  103 

Mollusca  ....  35, 62,  99,  130,  140,  164, 182 

Silurian 17 

Myophoria 133 

lineata? 133 

Mytilidjs 103, 132 

Myacites 136 

incoDspicuus  -*-.-. 137 

(Pleuromya)  subc'bmpressa  136. 

Weberensis..  137 

Naticid JS 159 

Olenus  (Parabolina)  Kevadensis ...  25 


INDEX  TO  PART  I. 


647 


Page. 

Orthis 63 

Michelini  63 

Ortboceras 47, 104 

Blakei 104 

Kingii 47 

Orthoceratid^ 47, 104 

Ophileta 17 

complanata  var,  nana 17 

Ostrea 140 

(undet.  sp.) 140 

OSTREID^ 140 

Paradoxid^ 20 

Paradoxides 23 

?  Nevadensis 23 

Pinna  Kingii 131 

PlNNID^ 131 

Phacopsid^ 48 

Physanoid^ 124 

Planorbis 189 

spectabilis 189 

var.  Utabensis.  190 

Polypi. 50 

Posidonomyaf 92 

1  fragosa 92 

Productid^ 36, 62 

Productus • 64 

costatus  f 69 

longispinns 78 

multistriatus    76 

l?evadensis 64 

Prattenianus 72 

semireticulatus 69 

semistriatus 74 

subaculeatus 36 

subborridus 75 

(undet.  sp.) 67. 

PROETIB^ 49 

Proetus 49 

(Phaeton)  denticulatus 49 

Pteriid^ 92, 100, 142 

Ptychopbyllum ; 28 

f  infundibulum  28 

Pyrgulifcra  humerosa 176 

^Kadiata 25,50 

Kapbistoma 18 

?  rotuliforinis 18 


Page. 

Raphistoma  ?  trochiscus 19 

Rhynohonellid^ 38, 70 

Rby  tipborus 175 

priscus 175 

Silurian  fossils  described 17 

SlPHONARIID^ • 162 

Smithia 32 

Hennabii 32 

Spbaera 102 

Wbitneyi 102 

Sphserium 182 

?  Idahoense 183 

rugosum 182 

Spirifer 39, 87 

cuspidatus?  87 

Engelmanni 41 

(Trigonotreta)  argentarius . .        42 
cameratus ...        91 

opimus? 88 

Pinonensis  ..        45 

scobina 90 

strigowis 43 

Utahensis 39 

Spiriferid^ 39, 81 

Spiriferina.' 84 

•    pulchra 85 

(undet.  sp.) 84 

Strophomenid^ 35,  62 

Syringopora 28,  50 

(undet.  sp.) 28,  50 

Tellinal?  isonema 156 

modesta 167 

Tellinid^ 156 

Tertiary  age,  Species  of  undoubted .       182 

Tracbyceras 116 

Judicarium 118 

Judicarium  var.  subas- 

perum 118 

Trachyceratitid^ 110 

TRiaoNiiD^ ; 133 

Triassic  species,  Upper 99 

Unio. . .   164,  184 

belliplicatus 165 

Haydeni 184 

vetustus 164 

Unionid^ 164, 184 


648 


INDEX  TO  PART  L 


Page. 
Veneeidje 158 

VlVIPAEID^ 178 

Viviparus 178 

Conradi 178 

Volsella.. 132 


Page. 

Volsella  scalprum  var,  isonema 132 

Vorticifex 187 

Zaphrentis  excentrica 52 

f  multilamella 53 

I  Stansburyi 64 


INDEX   TO  PART   II. 


Synonyms  in  iialics. 


Page. 

Agnostus  communis 228 

Josepha 230 

Keon 229 

proloDgus.   .:.- 230 

tumidosus 23L 

Athyris  Claytoni 256 

planosulcala  1  — 257 

subquadrata 271 

Astarte !  arenosa 297 

Avicula  carta 289 

fragilis 250 

tenuicostaim 289 

Aviculopecteu  Augustensis . , . 288 

curtocardinalis 273 

equilatera 201 

occidaricus 275 

parvulus 274 

Weberensis 273 

(Eumicrotis)  Augus- 
tensis   288 

Bathyurus  !  angulatus 220 

conicus. 216 

Pogonipensis 243 

strenuus 244 

Belemnites  densus 287 

Bellerophon  Neleus 250 

Oamptonectes  bellistriatus 289 

?  extenuatus 290 

■?  pertenuis 290 

pertenuistriatus 291 

Carboniferous,  Fossils  of  the  Lower  265 

Cardiomorplia  Missouriensis 277 

Cardita  alticostata .....  297 

Cardita  transversa.  ...    297 

Chariocephalus  tumifrons 224 


Page. 

Oh  JENOCAEDIA 249 

Chonetes  lllinoisensis *  254 

Loganensis 253 

Chonocephalites 209 

Ohonocephalites  lowensis 213 

Sbumardi 215,217 

subcoronatus 237 

(Pterocephalus) 

laticeps 221 

CONOCORYPHB 209 

Conocorypbe  Kingii 212 

Crepicephalus 209 

Orepicephalus  (Loganellus)  anytus.  219 
(Loganellus)    granu- 
losus    214 

(Loganellus)Haguei .  210 
(Loganellus)  maculo- 

sus 215 

(Loganellus)  uitidus .  212 
(Loganellus)    quad- 

rans 238 

(Loganellus)  simula- 
tor   218 

(Loganellus)    unisul- 

catus 216 

(Batby  urus  I)  angula- 
tus   220 

Cyathophyllum ,  - . ,  202 

Oyrtoceras  cessator ...  - 278 

Cyrtolites  sinuatus 237 

Devonian,  Fossils  of  the 246 

DiKELLOCEPHALUS ,  225 

Dikellocephalus  bilobatus 226 

flabelllfer 227 

»gothicus  .........  242 

649 


650 


INDEX  TO  PART  11. 


Page. 

Dikellocephalas  Minnesotensis  . 227 

multicinctus 226 

Pepiuensis 227 

quadriceps 240 

Wahsatchensis  . .  -  241 

EdmoDdia  Myrina 283 

Eumicrotie  curta 289 

Hawni  ...   273 

Euomphalus  cyclostomus 260 

laxus 260 

(Straparollas)  Ophiren- 

sis  . . . .  * 261 

pentangularis 259 

1  rotuliformis 235 

?  trochiscus 235 

(StfaparoUus)  Utalien- 

sis 259 

Fenestella  , . . . 202 

Fossils  of  the — 

Coal  Measures 273 

Devonian 246 

Jurassic 248 

Lower  Carboniferous 205 

Permo-Carboniferous 273 

Potsdam  group 205 

Silurian 232 

Triassic 280 

Waverly  group  251 

Fusispira  compacta 236 

General  remarks  on  formations,  H. 

and  W 199 

Genesee  slate 201 

Glauconome 202 

Goniatites  globulus 279 

lowensis 279 

Kingii...... 279 

Noliuensis 279 

sphericus 279 

Gryphaea  calceola  var,  Nebrascensis  286 
Hall,  James,  and  R.  P.  Whitfield, 

Report  of 197 

Jurassic,  Fossils  of  the 248 

Kutorgina  minutissima  ...  207 

Leptaena  Melita 208 

Lima  (Plagiostoma)  occideu talis  . . .  292 

lineata :  292 


Page. 

Lingulella 232 

Lingulepis  Ella 232 

MflBra 206 

minuta 206 

pinnaformis 206 

Loganellus  anytus 219 

granulosus 214 

Haguei , 210 

Logani 210 

maculosa 215 

nitidus 212 

quadrans 238 

simulator 218 

unisulcatus 216 

Lunulicardium  fragilis 250 

fragosum 249 

Lower  Carboniferous,  Fossils  of  . . .  265 

Lyonsia  concava  , . , 276 

Maclurea  minima 235 

Michelina sp.  t 251 

Monotis  curta 289 

tenuicostatus .  289 

Myalina  aviculoides 275 

Myalina  concavus .  .  ^. 276 

Myalina  Permiana 276 

Mytilus  {Myalina)  concavus ,  276 

Fermianus . 276 

Natica  ?  Lelia .  298 

Naticopsis  nana 298 

Neritoma 299 

Neritopsis 299 

Nuculites  triangulus 248 

triquetra 249 

Obolella  discoida 205 

Ogygia  parabola 245 

producta 244 

Orthis  Barabouensis 209 

costalis 233 

Electra 233 

Orthis  equivalvis 252 

Orthis  Pogonipensis 232 

resupinata 205 

Orthoceras  annulatocostatum 278 

Chesterensis 278 

Ostrea  congesta. 287 

Eugelmanni 285 


INDEX  TO  PxiRT  II. 


651 


Page. 

Ostrea  strigilecula 287 

sp.! 285 

Paracy clas  elliptica 248 

occidentalis 248 

peroccidens 248 

Pentacrinites  asteriscus  ^ 280 

Perm o  Carboniferous,  Fossils  of  the  273 

Plagiostoma  lineata 293 

Plagiostoma  occidentalis 292 

Platyceras 202 

Polypora  : ^ 202 

Porambonites  obscurus 234 

Posidonomya  f  fragosa 249 

Potsdam  group,  Fossils  of  the 205 

Primordial,  Fossils  of  the 205 

Productus  elegans. 265 

Flemibgi  var.  Burlingto- 

neusis 265 

laevicostus  ?   266 

mesialis 266 

Prattenianus 267 

semireticulatus 267 

Proetus  Loganensis 264 

macrocephalus 263 

peroccidens 262 

Fterocephalia  Sancti'Sabw ....    200 

Pterocephalus  laticeps -  221 

Sancti-sabae 223 

Ptydhaspis  Miniscaensis 224 

pustulosa  223 

Eaphistoma  acuta •  235 

lenticularis  .... 235 

staminea 235 

Ehynchonella  cuboides 247 

Emmonsi 247 

gnathophora  *? 284 

Myrina 284 

pustulosa  1 257 

varians 284 

venusta 247 

San   Saba  Valley,  Potsdam  sand- 

stones  of 1^9 


Page. 

Sedgewickia  ?  concava 276 

Septocardia 294 

Septocardia  Carditoidea 296 

typica 295 

Silurian,  Fossils  of  the  .   232 

Snowstorm  Hill,    Fossils  and  sec- 

tionof 203 

Spirifera  alba-pinensis  , 255 

Spirifet^a  f  alia 281 

Spirifera  biplicatus 255 

centronata 254 

Spirifer  f  Eomfraiji  f 281 

Spirifera  imbrex 271 

Maia 266 

setigera « •  -  270 

striata 269 

sp.? 271 

Spiriferina  alia 281 

Homfrayi  *? 281 

StraparoUus  Ophirensis 261 

planodorsatus . .   259 

planus 259 

similis  var,  planus 259 

umbilicatus 261 

Utahensis 259 

Streptorhynchus  equivalvis 252 

iuflatus 252 

Strophodonta  Canace 246 

Strophomena  Nemea 233 

rhomboidalis 253 

Syringopora 202 

Tancredia  Warrenana 297 

Terebratula  Augusta 285 

Humboldtensis 282 

Utah 258 

Triassic,  Fossils  of  the •  280 

Trigonia  Conradi 294 

quadrangularis 293 

Waverly  group,  Fossils  of  the 251 

Whitfield,  E.  P.,  and  Hall,  James, 

Eeportof 1^7 


INDEX    TO    PART    III. 


SCIENTIFIC  NAMES. 

[Names  not  in  italics  are  synonyms.] 


Page. 

Acanthylis  saxatilis 564 

Aocipiter  cooperi 581 

fuscus 581 

mexicanus --      581 

Acliturus  hariramiu8 376, 381, 384,  386,  389,  611 

Actodromas  bairdl 608 

minutilla 376,  608 

^aEclimophorus  occiden talis 641,  642 

^gialitis  cantiana  var.  nivosa 604 

cantianus 604 

cantiamiSj  p,  nivo»u8 604 

var.  nivosus 604 

nivoBUS 327,369,  386,  389,  604 

vooiferus 327,  330,  337,  340,  349 

361,  369,  370,  376,  389,  576,  610,  683 

Ageli^ns  gubernator 330,  338 

356,  379,  380,  388,  504,  506 

phmniceue 326,  337,  338,  340,  354,  356 

361.368,370,374,388,462,504 

a.  phcenioeus 503 

a.  phcenioeus 503,  504 

/?.  gubernator 504,  505 

c.  gubernator 504 

var.  gubernator 504 

d.  tricolor 505 

var.  tricolor 505 

tricolor 330,  331,  388,  504,  505 

Jix  spoma 327,  341,  390,  624 

AlaUdaalpestris...'. 498 

Alauda  arventds 469 

cbrysolaema 499 

cornuta 498 

Indoviciana 426 

Aloedo  aloyon 545 

Ampelis  cedromm 1364,386,387,446 

AmpMspiza  belli 476 

UHneata.,..^4,  340,  346,  350,  351,  352 
355,  367,  370,  383,  384,  388,  475,  476 

nevadenais 324,340 

343,  348,  350,  351,  352,  354,  357 
358,  366,  383,  384,  388,  475,  476 

Anas  acuta 622 

albeoia 626 

americana 622 


Page. 

Anaahoschas ...327,  331,  337 

341,  349,  358,  361,  369,  '376,  390,  621 

canadensis 620 

carolinensis 623 

clypeata. ..  — -- 624 

coUaris 625 

cyanoptera , 623 

niarila 625 

rubida "...      626 

sponsa.. 624 

strepera 622 

vallisneria 625 

Anortbura  troglodytes  var.  h yemalis 424 

Anseralbatus 342,354,390,619 

hatchinsi 620 

hyperhoreus .,      619 

b.  albatus 619 

var.  albatus 619 

nigricans 691 

Anthus  ludovicianua 338,  342,  348,  356,  387,  426 

AntroBtomus  nuttalli 324,  336,  342,  350,  357 

358,  365,  368,  375,  376,  384,  389,  567 

vocifeitis 567,  568 

Apbelocoma  floridana.  c.  calif omica 525 

var.  calif orn  i  ca 525 

woodhousii 526 

Aqnila  canadensis ...326,347 

357,  360,  362,  364,  375,  389,  589,  590 

chrysaetos .590 

p.  canadensis 590 

var.  canadensis 590 

Arohibuieo  ferrugineus 357,  389,  590 

lagojpiis  589 

/?.  sancti'johannis 589 

var.  sancti-johannis 589 

regalis 590 

sancti-johannis 338,  342 

347,  362,  375,  389,  513,  589,  590 

Ardea  canadensis 611 

egretta w...      617 

exilis 618 

gardeni 618 

h^odias..  327, 330  341,  343,  369,  390,  616,  631 
lentiginosa 618 

652 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


653 


Page. 

Ardea  minor 618 

naevia 618 

stellaris,  p,  minor 618 

virescens , 617 

Ardetta  exilis 327,  341,  390,  618 

Asyndesmus  torquatus 553 

Athene  cunicularia 573 

hypogaea , 573 

Atthis  anna 558 

Aythya sp 331 

americana 342,349,  390,624 

f erina  var.  americana 624 

vallisneria 341,  342,  349,  625 

Bemicla  canadensis 620 

liutchinsi 620 

nigricans 621 

(Leucoblepharon)  canadensis 620 

hutchinsi.. 620 

Bla8ipu8  heermanni ....309,  390,  636 

Bombycilla  cedromm 446 

Bonasa  umbelloides 319,  375,  383,  386,  389 

umhellus 599 

p,  umbelloides 599 

var.  umbelloides 599 

Botaurus  lentiginosus 618 

minor.. 327,  337,  341,  349,  361,  369,  390,  618 

Branta  bernicla.  b.  nigricans 621 

var.  nigricans 621 

canadmeis 327,  337 

341,  349,  361,  371,  390,  620 

c.  liutchinsi 620 

var.  hutchinsi 620 

huicUnsi 338,  342,  349,  390,  620 

nigncans 342,390,621 

Brachyotus  cassini 389,  571 

palustris 571 

/?.  cassini 571 

Bubo  subarcticus 340,  347,  375,  389,  572,  576 

virginianm 572 

p.  subarcticus 572 

saturatus , 572 

var.  arcticus 572 

pacificus 572 

Bucephala  albeola 342,  349,  390,  626 

americana 342,  349,  390,  626 

olangula 626 

p,  americana 626 

Buteo  abbreviatus 589 

bairdi 584,585 

borealis 524,582,583,585 

b.  calurus 582 

i3,oaluru8 582 

var.  calurus 582 

d.krideri 582 


•  Page. 

Buteo  borealkf  y.  luca^anus 582 

calurus .340,  347 

351,  357,  360,  363,  364,  375,  389,  582 

oooperi 582 

elegans 332,389,582 

f errugineus 590 

harlani 582,  584,  585 

insignatus 584,585 

lineatus 582,585 

13,  elegans 582 

var.  elegans 582 

montanus 582 

oxypterus 584 

sp 336 

swainsoni 340,350,  351 

357,  360,  362,  364,  368,  375,  389 
511,  532,  573,  582,  583,  584,  585 

swainsoni  var.  oxypterus 584 

zohocercus 589 

Butorides  virescens 330,  390,  617 

Calamospiza  bicohr 372,  374,  383,  386,  388,  487 

Calypte  anncB 330,  331,  336,  337,  389,  558,  559 

Canace  canadensis  var.  franklini 337 

obscura ^ 319,337 

362,  365,  375,  376,  383,  384,  389,  598 

Caprimulgus  nuttalli 567 

Cardinalis  virginianus .536,  603 

Carduelis  lawrencii 463 

Carpodacus  califomicus 335 

cassini 319,  343,  347,  359,  360 

367,  374,  383,  384,  387,  457,  460,  536 

frontalis 323,329,330 

331,  340,  341,  344,  346 
349,  350,  35B,  367,  370 
374,  387,  404,  458,  469 

a.  frontalis 458 

a.  frontalis 458 

var.  frontalis 458 

purpureus 4.57 

Cathartes  aura 593 

sp 336 

Catherpes  conspersus 326,  350 

360,  383,  :384,  387,  420 

mexicanus 420 

mexicanus,  (3,  conspersus 420 

mexicanus  var.  conspersus 420 

Centrocercus  urophasianus 324,  342,  356,  363 

366,  368,  375,  383,  384,  389,  591,  600 

Certhia  americana 319,  333 

335,  342,  347;  349,  373,  382,  387,  418 

familiaris 418 

/?.  americana 418 

var.  americana 418 

mexicaria 418 


654 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


.  Page. 

Ceryle  alcyon 310,  326,  337,  340,  343,  346 

361,  362,  363,  364,  368,  375,  388,  545 

ChcBtura  pelagica 564,  566 

(pelagica  var.t)  vauxi 566 

vanxi 323,  340,  341,  385,  389,  564,  566 

Chamcea  faaciata .-. 332,335,337 

Charadrins  mexicanus 606 

vociferus 603 

ChauUlasmus  atreperus 327,  331 

3:57,  341, 369,  390,  622 

Chonde$t€8  grammaca 324,  329,  330,  336,  337,  340 

349,  350,  352,  357,  358,  360,  361,  362,  363 
368,  370,  374,  388,  467,  479,  480,  487,  497 

Cliordeiles  henryi 324,337,340 

357,  358,  359,  368,  375,  376,  384,  389 

popetue. 537,568 

/?.  henryi 568 

var.  henryi 568 

virginianus.  b.  henryi 568 

var.  henryi 568 

ChrcBcocephalus  Philadelphia 390,  639 

Chrysomitris  lawrencii - .  333,  387,  463 

pinua 319,  335,  360,  362,  363 

367,  374,  376,  387,  462,  463,  536,  541 
i)8a?<na. 335,  367,  374,  376,  386,  387,  462 

a.  psaltria 462 

yar.  psaltria 462 

trisiis 323,  329,  330,  340 

363,  367,  374,  376,  387,  461,  468,  480 

Cichlopsis  nitens 447 

Circus  cyaneus  hudsonius 580 

var.  hudsonius 580 

hudsonim 337,340,349 

361,  363,  364,  368,  375,  339,  577,  580 
Cincltts m&noanus 319,  334 

338,  349,  356,  367,  373,  376,  387,  406 

Cistothorus  palustris  var.  paludicola 425 

atellaris. 381 

(Telmatodytes)  palustris 425 

Clangula  americana - 626 

Coccygus  americanus 558 

Coccyzm  amerimnm . . , . , .2^,  330,  339,  ;581,  388,  558 

Colaptea  auratus 331,338 

356,  381,  383,  385,  :388,  555,  557 

ayresii 556 

ohryaoides 381,  557 

hyhndM 345,  381,  383,  388,  556,  557 

mexicanus 330,  331,  336,  337,  340,  345 

347,  348,  349,  350, 351,  356,  359,  360 

362,  363,  364,  375,  376,  381,  388,  554 
Collurio  horealia 348,387,452 

excubitoroides 321,  330,  337 

340,  348,  350,  354,  357,  359,  362 
363,  370,  374, 387,  452,  453,  468 

ludovidanua - 453 


Tuge. 

Collurio  liidovidanuSf  /?,  excubitoroides 453 

var.  excubitoroides 453 

CoUyrio  borealis 452 

excubitoroides 543 

Columba  carolinensis 596 

faaoiata 336,338,382,595 

migratoria -  -  -      593 

Colymbus  podiceps 643 

Contopus  borealis 319,  362,  375,  388,  535 

richardsoni 323,  329 

330,  331,  336,  340,  350,  351,  359,  361 

362,  363,  364,  368,  375,  388,  537,  539 

virens ^..331,  535,  537,  538 

virens  var.  richardsonii 537 

(virens  var.?)  richardsonii 537 

Corvus  omcricawws... 332,  336,  338,  354,  388,  513,  514 

a.  americanus 514 

cacalotl 512 

carnivorus..332,  338,  348,  352,  356,  357,  362 

363,  364,  363,  368,  371,  374,  368,  512 

caunnus 514 

columbianus - 515 

oorax 512 

/3.  carnivoms 512 

var.  carnivoms 512 

hudsonicus - 530 

oaaifraguB 513 

Cotumiculus  passerinus 381,  467,  468 

/?.  perpallidus 467 

b.  perpallidus 467 

var.  perpallidus 467 

perpallidus 326,  330 

358,  361,  367,  374,  388,  467,  480 
Cotyle  riparia...326,  330,  337,  339,  367,  373,  387,  445 

serripennis -      440 

Crex  galeata - 613 

Cuculus  americanus 558 

auratus - 557 

Curvirostra  americana 455 

leucoptera 456 

Cyanodtta  calif omica 332,  333  336 

347,  379,  388,  525,  527,  553 

var.  woodhpusii 526 

floridana  var.  woodhousii 526 

macrolopha , — '..      524 

woodhomii  ....320,  322,  355,  356,  359,  361 
366,368,374,379,383,385,388,526 

Cyanospiza  amma 322,  323,  329,  380,  331,  337 

340,  346,  350,  351,  357,  359,  361,  363 

364,  368,  370,  374,  388,  435,  488,  490 
cyanea ..331,435,490 

Cyanura  coronata  var.  macrolopha. 524 

oriiJtoto 469,  519,  523 

frontalis 319,  333 

336,  345,  347,  388,  396,  516,  525 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


655 


Page. 

Cyanura  macrolopha , 319,  372 

374,  376,  383,  386,  388,  523,  524 

stelleri 523 

(i.  frontalis 523 

var.  frontalis 523 

macrolopha 524 

Cygnus  hucdnnator 342,  390,  619 

Cypselus  borealis 565 

melanoleucus 564 

vauxii 563 

Dafila  acuta 327,  337,  341,  369,  390,  622 

Diotnedia  nigripea * 309 

Dolichonyx  orymwiw.361,362,  363,  381,  384,  385,  388 

/?.  albinuchus 500 

var.  albinuchus 500 

Dendrwca  €e8tiva.....323y  329,  330,  335,  337,  339,  346 

,  350,  351,  354,  359,  361,  362,  363,  364 

367,  373,  37.7,  387,  428,  431,  437,  468 

auduhoni 319,334,335 

342,  349,  356,  364,  373,  387,  431,  433 

hlackburnice 381 

coronata 381,  433,  434,  544 

nigreacena 335,  359 

373,  376,  385,  387,  428,  433,  451 
occidentali8,3^1y  332,  379,  380,  3^5,  387,  432 

townsendi 361,  362 

363,  335,  379,  380,  385,  387,  432 

Ectopiates  migratoria ....355,  380 

384,  385,  389,  428,  518,  596 

Elanoidea  forficatua 309 

Elanua  leticurus 389,  592 

Empidonax  diffidlia 319,  375,  388,  539,  544 

flaviventria 539,  544 

b.  difficilis 544 

var.  difficilis 544 

Tiammondi 321,361,362 

363,  364,  383,  385,  388,  539,  541,  543 

minimua, 381,  537,  541 

ohacurua. /S2l,  348,  356,  357,  350,  362,  36 ) 
365,  375,  383,  384,  388,  464,  539,  541 

puaillua 322,  323,  329 

330,  336,  337,  340,  359,  361,  362 
368,  370,  375,  388,  451,  539,  541 

trailii 539 

b.  pusillus 539 

var.  pusillus 539 

wrigbtii 541 

Emberiza  amouna 490 

bilineata  . -. 475 

coroData 472 

leucopbrys 470 

EremophilaalpeatHa./S2Aj  338,  342,  345,  348,  351,  352 

356,  357,  363,  364,  373,  388,  498 

a.  alpeatria 498,  499 


Page- 

Eromopbila  alpestris  var.  alpestris 498 

/?.  leucolwma 498,  499 

b.  leucolaBma 498 

var.  leucolaBma 498 

o.  chrysolsBma 499 

y.  chryaoJasma . .  * 499 

var.  cb  ry solse  ma . , , . . .       499 

cbrysolaBma : .  332,  353,  370,  388 

cornuta 498,  499 

var.  cbry solsema 499 

leucoliema 388 

Ereunetes  occiden talis 609 

petrificatus - 609 

puaillua ^.327,  341 

353,  369,  376,  389,  604,  609 

var.  occidentalis 609 

Emmatura  ruhida 327,  341 

342,  349,  354,  369,  390,  626 
m  americana 494 


Falco  anatum 

canadensis 

carolinensis , . . 

columhariua 338,  342,  364,  389, 

communia 

o.  anatum 

var.  anatum 


communis  naevms 

/?.  ncBviua 

cooperi 

fuscus 

hudsonius 

lanarius  var.  polyagrus 

leucocephalus I 

raexicanus 

polyagrus 

naevius 340,  343,360,389, 

nigriceps 

polyagrus 326, 

360,  303,  368,  375,  384,  389,  570, 

saker -... 

aakerj  /?.  polyagrua 

sancti-jobaunis 

sparverius 323,  330,  340,  347,  350, 

360,  362,  364,  368,  375,  378,  385, 
(^salon)  lithofalco  var.  columbarius. 

( Hypotriorcbis)  columbarius 

(Tinnunoulus)  sparverius 

Fdlcinellua  guarauna  .327 ,  361,  369,  383,  385,  389, 
thalaaainua  ....  327,  341,  354,  383,  389, 

Fringilla  bicolor 

cblorura 

crlssalis 

frontalis 


575 
590 
593 
578 
575 
575 
575 
577 
573 
575 
581 
581 
580 
577 
592 
517 
577 
575 
575 
354 
577 
577 
577 
589 
351 
389 
578 
578 
578 
615 
615 
487 
496 
498 
458 


656 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


Page. 

Fringilla  grammaca 467 

lapponica 464 

lincolni 484 

monticola ,      478 

oregonus 473 

pecoria 501 

pinus 463 

psaltria*. 462 

tristis 461 

(Passerella)  guttata 482 

Fulica  americana 331,  341,  345,  346,  354 

358,  361,  362,  3G9,  376,  389,  614,  617 

Fuligula  affinis 625 

americana 624 

collaris 625 

ferina  var.  americana -      624 

marila 625 

vallisneria 625 

Fulix  affinie 342,390,625 

collans 342,  349,  390,  625 

marila 342,  349,  390,  625 

Gal€08copt€8  caroUnemia 322,  327,  367,  370,  371 

372,  373,  376,  377,  331,  384,  386,  390 

Gallinago  gallinaria  var.  wilsoni 606 

tm?»<mi....337,  338,  361,  362,  376,  389,  606 

GalUnula  galeata 331,  389,  613,  617 

martinica 309 

Garrulus  californicua 525 

Garzetia  candidiasima 309 

Geococoyx  califomianus. 333 

Geopicus  chrysoides 557 

Geothlypia  macgilUvrayi 322,  335,  355,  359 

361,  363,  367,  373,  376,  387,  434,  435 

Philadelphia,  a.  macgilli vrayi 435 

var.  macgil  li  vrayi . .       435 

trkhaa 323,  330,  337,  339,  346,  358 

381,  383,  336,  367,  373,  387,  434,  501 

Glancidium  calif omicum 335 

gnoma 333,  382 

Goniaphea  csBrulea 489 

melanocephalus  . . , 488 

( Hedymeles)  melanocephalus 488 

Gr4iettlm  dilophu8 635 

0.floridanu8 635 

b.  floridanus 635 

var.  floridanus 635 

floridanus 327,  341,  369,  390 

Gru$  canadensis 326,  341 

358,  331,  389,  376,  389,  611 ,  619 

Guiraoa  ccBrulea 329,  330,  388,  468,489 

melanocephala 488 

Gymnohitta  cyanocephala 320,  321 

348,  357,  359,  383,  383,  384,  388,  617 

Haliaettis  Uucocephalus 333,  340,  343,  389,  592 

Barporhynchus  rufus 401,  408 


Pftffo. 

Hedymeles  ludovidanus 334,  483 

melanooephalus 322,  329,  330 

331,  336,  337,  340,  346,  355,  357 
359,  368,  374,  388,  488,  490,  509 

Selminiliophaga  cslata 321,  356,  363,  334 

373,  384,  387,  428,  429,  430 

a.  celata 429 

(3,  lutescens 429 

var.  lutescens 429 

lutescens 356,  363,  364 

379,  380,  387,  430,  473 

ruflcapiUa.335,363, 380, 385, 387,  427 

vas,  gatturali8-..427,  428 

virginicB 320,  359,  362,  367,  372 

373,  376,  380,  383,  385,  387,  428,  45i 

Herodias  egretta 327,  331,  341,  369,  390,  617 

var.  californica 617 

Hesperiphona  vespertina • 332 

Himantopus  mexicanus 327,  3:i7 

340,  352,  .369,  389,  553,  608 

nigricollis 606 

Hirundo  bicolor 441 

cyanopyrrha 441 

erythrogaster : 441 

p.  horreorum 441 

horreoram ....326,330 

335,  337,  339,  349,  354,  357,  S60 
362,  367,  373,  387,  440,  441,  444 

Innifrons 440 

nigra 505 

purpurea 439 

riparia 445 

rufa 441 

serripennis. 446 

subis 439 

thalassina 443 

Hydrobata  mexicana 403 

Hydrochelidon  fissipes 640 

lariformis 327,331 

345,  346,  361,  369,  390,  640 

plumbea 640 

Hylatomus  pileaim 333 

Hypotriorchis  columbarius 578 


Ibis  alba 

f  alcinollus  var.  ordii 

ordii 

thalassinus 


331 

615 

615 

615 

guarauna.. 615,  616 

Icteria  longicauda..323,  330,  337,  339,  343,  350,  351 
355,  359,  361,  367,  373,  337,  433,  403 

virens 436,438 

(3,  longicauda 433 

var.  longicauda 433 

Icterus  halUmare 331,  507,  409,  535 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


657 


Page. 

Icterus  hulIocU .....323,  329,  330,  331,  336 

337,  340,  346,  350,  356,  357,  359,  361 
368,  370,  374,  377,  388,  459,  488,  508 

icterocephalus !. . . 502 

spunuB 507,509 

Icterus  tricolor 505 

Junco  canicepa... Z19,  372,  374,  383,  386,  388,  474,  536 

cinereus  var.  caniceps 474 

liyemalis 380,  381,  473,  474,  478 

var.  can5cep8 380,  474 

oregonus 473 

oregonm 319,  332,  334,  336,  342,  348 

350,  356,  365,  388,  473,  474,  478,  612 

Lanius  borealis ^ 452 

excuUtoroides 553 

tyrannus  var.  y.  carolincusis w .       532 

Lanivireo  cassini 355,  356 

378,  380,  385,  387,  449,  473 

plumbeus 321,  359 

367,  374,  383,  385,  387,  451 

soUtarim 350,  356 

364,  380,  384,  385,  387,  427,  450 

var.  cassini 449 

plumbens 428,  451 

Larus,  sp.t 331 

argentatoides 637 

belclxeri 636 

californicus , 327,  341 

343,  352,  371,  390,  631,  637,  638 

delawarensis 342,  390,  637,  638 

var.  californicus 637 

heermanni 636 

Philadelphia   639 

(Blasipus)  belcheri 636 

heermanni 636 

(ChrcBCocephalus)  Philadelphia 639 

Leuconerpes  albolarvatus 547 

Leucosiicte  Uttoralis 350,  387,  461 

tephrocotis.  b.  griseinucha 461 

var.  Uttoralis 461 

Lophodytes  cucullatus 341,  390,  627 

Lophophanes  inornatus 320,  321 

333,  347,  348,  382,  387,  410,  414 

hieolor 411 

Lophwtyx  calif ornicm 333,  335,  337,  389,  602 

Loxia  amenoana 361,  362,  363,  387,  455,  456 

coerule^ 489 

leucoptera ♦. 319,359 

361,  362,  363,  385,  387,  455,  456 

Macrorhamphus  griseua 607 

Mareca  americana 327,  337 

.  ^  341,  343,  369,  371,  390,  622 


Page. 

Melanerpes  er^throcephalus 368,  i^l 

384,  386,  388,  516.  553,  554 

formicivorus 332,  336,  388,  553 

torguatus 332,  336 

345,  347,  363,  364,  388,  516,  553 

Merulasilens 394 

Melospiza  fallax ,322,  354,  356,  359 

361,  362,  363,  364,  365,  366,  367 
374,  376,  377,  383,  388,  482,  486 

fasdata 468,481 

p,  heermanni 481,  483 

6,  guttata. .482,  484 

y,  fallax 482,483 

guttata 332,356 

379,  380,  385,  388,  450,  473,  482 

heermanni 330,  336 

337,  340,  343,  349,  388,  481,  482,  493 
lincolni ... 325,  347,  365,  366,  374, 484,  488 

melodia  a.  heermanni 481 

var.  heermanni 481 

f.  guttata 482 

var.  guttata 482,  483 

a.  fallax 482 

var.  fallax 482 

palustris 381 

rufina 482 

Mergus  americanua 342,  390,  627 

castor  var.  americanus 627 

cucullatus 627 

merganser 627 

m^ganseTj  (3.  americanua 627 

aerrator.. 342,390,627 

Milvus  leucurus 592 

Mimus  carolinensis 399, 494 

polygloitua 401,448,527 

Molothrua  at^- 340,  341,  354,  368,374,  388,501 

a,  ater 501 

pecoris 501 

a.  pecoris 501 

Motacilla  aestiva 431 

csBrulea 409 

calendula 409 

pileolata 437 

Muscicapa  carolinensis .; 399 

guttata 393 

pueilla 437 

ruticilla 438 

saya 534 

solitaria 450 

Myiadestea  townaendi..^20, 321,  334,  347, 387,  394,  408 

Myiarchua  dneraecena 323, 332,  340 

350,  351, 357,  359,  368,  375,  388,  533 

crinitua 533 

var.  mexicanus 533 

mexicanus 533 


658 


INDEX  TO  PAET  III. 


Page, 

Myiodioctes  pileolatus 387 

2yu8illu8 323,335,  339 

342,  351,  355,  356,  359,  361 
363,  364,  373,  387,  430,  437 

c  puaUlus 437,  438 

Tar.  pileolata 437 

p.pdeolatus 437,438 

var.  pusilltiB 437 

Nephcecetes  boreali8.323,  340,  341,  350,  385,  389, 564 

niger 565 

b.  borealis 565 

(3.  horealis 565 

var.  borealis 565 

Nettion  carolinensia 327,  337,  343,  369,  390,  623 

NUm  coopeH 347, 356, 361,  364,  375,  389,  581 

var.  mexioanus 581 

fuacm 336,  364,  375,  386,  389,  561 

Numenius  lanffiroatiis 327,341 

369,  370,  376,  389,  609,  611,  615 

Numida  mdeagris 502 

NyotaU  aeadioa 365,386,389,572 

albifrons 572 

Nyctiardea  garden! 618 

griaea 618 

p.ncBvia 618 

var.  na&via 618 

n»via 327,  331,  341,  390,  618 

Oreortyx  pioius 335, 337,  347,  348,  379,  389,  601 

(i,  plumiferus 601 

var.  plumiferus 601 

Oreoacoptes  numtanus 324,  333,  339,  348,  352 

353,  354,  357,  358,  361,  362,  363,  367 
370,  371,  383,  384,  386,  399,  448,  480 

Oriolus  phcBniceus 503 

Omismya  anna 558 

Orpheus  montanus 399 

Ortyxpiota 601 

plumifera 601 

Hrginianua 602 

Otocorys  occidentalis 498 

Otus  brachyotus 571 

vulgaris  var.  wilsonianus 570 

wiU<mianu8,d23, 330, 340,  345,  349,  364,  389, 570 
(Brachyotus)  brachyotus 571 

Pandion  carolinensis 340,  389,  593 

halioBtm 593 

0.  caroUnensU 593 

var,  carolinensis 593 

Pauyptila  melanoleuca 564 

saxatilU 326,357 

360,  368,  383,  385,  389,  443,  444,  564 

Parus  airicapillus 411,412 

var.  occidentalis 412 


Page. 

Pania  atrioapillust  7.  ooddentaUa 412 

/?.  aeptentrionalis 412 

var.  septentrionalis 412 

carolinensis. 411,  412 

InomatuB 411 

melanotis 415 

minimus 413 

mantantis 319,  347 

359,  365,  373,  382,  387,  411,  412 

occidentalis 332,  335,  387,  412 

septentrionalis 365,  377,  386,  387,  412 

var,  albescens 412 

Passerculus  alaudinus 326,  3:36 

337,  340,  348,  356,  358,  361,  362 
365,  367,  370,  374,  387,  464,  465 

sandvichenais 464 

a.  alimdinua 464 

savanna *.      464 

a.  savanna 464 

var,  alaudinus 464 

Passerella  iliaca  var.  schistacea 486 

megarhyncha 345,  384,  388,  485 

achiataoea  ....  .322, 325, 349,  364,  372,  374 
383,  384,  388,  482,  485,  486,  501 

townaendi 336 

var.  megarhyncha 485 

schistacea 485,  48G 

Pedioecetes  columbianus 326,  365 

369,  375,  383,  386,  389,  599 

phaaianelltia 599 

/?.  columbianua 599 

var,  columbianus 599 

Pelecanua  erythrorhynchua.d^,  337,  341,  343,  390,  627 

fuscus 309 

occipitalis 628 

trachyrhynchus 627 

Petrochelidon  Imifroria 309,  326,  330 

337,  339,  349,  350,  357,  360,  367 

373,  387,  440,  443,  444,  535,  564 

Phmop^la  nitena,. .  .352,  383,  385,  387, 447,  448,  547 

Phalacrocorax  floridanus 635 

Phalaiopus  wilsoni 604 

(Steganopus)  wilsoni 604 

Phasianus  columbianus 599 

Pica  caudata  var.  hudsonica 520 

nuttalli 519 

hudsonica.. 323,  337,  340,  345,  348, 349,  355,  356 
364,  383,  384,  388,  518,  520,  553,  570 

melanoleuca  var.  hudsonica 520 

nuttaUi 519 

nuiialli 332,388,519 

ruatica 520 

p.hudaanica 520 

var.  hudsonica 520 

Pidconma  columbianua 319,  333,  347 

359,  362,  374,  376,  388,  396,  515,  554 


INDEX  TO  PAET  III. 


659 


Page. 

Piooides  aroHous 347,384,388,548 

Platyrhynchus  piisillus 539 

Pleotrophanes  lapponUnia 348,  387,  464 

Picus albolarvatus.,  ..319,  333,  336f  345,  347,  388,  547 

erythrocephaluB 554 

fonnicivoms 553 

gairdneri 321,  336 

364,  365,  375,  386,  388,  546,  547 

harrisi 336,340,345,347,349,350 

351,  359,  365,  375,  378,  388,  546,  548 

leucuxus 516 

nuttalli : 332,  336,  388,  447,  547 

puhescens ....* 546,547 

b.  gairdneri 546 

var.  gairdneri 546 

raber !      549 

scalaris  var.  nuttalli 547 

thyroideus 551 

torquatns 553 

vUlosus 545,  548 

var.harrisi 545 

williamsoni 551 

(Aptemus)  arcticus 548 

Pipilo  carmanl 491 

chlorurua 325,336,340 

347,  355,  357,  359,  360,  361,  362,  363 
364,  365,  368,  374,  383,  384,  388,  496 

consobrinus 491 

crissalis 333,  336,  388,  498 

erythrophthalmus 331,  469 

491,  492,  493,  494,  495 

f  U8CU8 498 

var.  crissalis 498 

maoulatua 491 

p.megalonyx 491,495 

var.  megalonyx 491 

y.oregonm 491,  495 

var.  oregonus 491 

megalonyx 320,  356,  357,  359 

368,  371,  374,  383,  386,  388,  491,  494 

oregonus 323,330 

331,  336,  337,  340,  343,  348,  349,  350 
351,  356,  379,  380,  388,  450,  473,  491 

Podiceps  auritus 642 

ft.  calif ornicus 642 

var.  calif omicus 642 

califomicus.327,  341,  345,349,  352,  369,  390 

clarki 641 

enstatus 327,  361,  362,  390,  642 

occufonto2i«..327,  341,  345,  349,  369,  390,  641 
(^chmophorus)  occidentalis.  a.  occi- 

dentalis 641 

Podilymhua  podiceps 338,  341,  349,  369,  390,  643 

Polioptila  ccBTulea 333,387,409 

melanura •. . .      409 

plumbea 409 


Pag«. 

Pooecetes  confinis 326,  337,  348 

357,  360,  361,  362,  363,  374,  387,  485 

gramineua 340,466,497 

ft, confinis 466 

var.  confinis 466 

Poospiza  belli 476 

var.  novadensis 476 

biliueata 475 

Porzana  oaroZina.327, 337, 341, 369,  376,  389,  612,  613 

Jamaicensis 327,376,  613 

Progne  purpurea 439 

subia 309,321,330 

339,  349,  350,  367,  373,  387,  439,  440 

Psaltria  plumbea 413 

Paaltriparua  wwZanotw.... 359,  383,  385,  387,  415,  456 

minimus 333,  335,  387,  413 

minimus  var.  minimus 413 

plumbeus 413 

plunibeus 320,322 

348,  355,  356,  359,  383,  385,  387,  413 

Psarocolius  oyanocephalus 510 

gubemator 504 

Ptiliogonys  nitens 447 

townsendi 408 

Pyranga  erythromelama 456 

ludoviciana. Z19,  334,  335,  337,  339,  346,  359 
364,  367,  373,  376,  387,  454,  488,  509 

rubra .454,  455 

Pyrgita  domeatica 459 

Querquedula  carolinensis 623 

cyanoptera 327,  331 

337,  341,  369,  376,  390,  621,  623 
diacora  .327,  331,  341,  369,  384,  390,  623 

Quiacalua  caneua 381,  502 

purpureas 502 

Kallus  carolinus 612 

elegana 381 

jamaicensis 613 

larif  ormis 640 

virginianua 327,  341,  369,  389,  612 

Becurviroatra  amerioana 327,  337 

340,  352,  353,  369,  371,  389,  605 

Begulua  calendula 319,  335,  342,  348,  349 

356,  364,  373,  382,  387,  401,  409,  418 

aatrapa 347,  387,  356,  410 

Rhinogryphua  aura 332,340,  349 

351,  352,  357,  362,  364,  375,  389,  593 

Bhyacopkilua  aoUtariua 327,  337 

341,  346,  376,  389,  417,  610 

Salpinctea  obsoletua 326,  336 

348,  349,  350,  351,  355,  356,  367,  360 
303,  383,  384,  387,  404,  418,  420,  535 

Sayomia  fuacua 331,  534,  535 


660 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


Page. 

SaifornU  nigricans 329,  330 

331,  336,  337,  388,  534,  535 

sayus ...326,340,348,351 

355,  356,  360,  368,  383,  384,  388,  534 

ScoUcophagua  cganocephalus 321,  326,  348 

351,  356,  357,  359,  362,  364,  368 
374,  384,  388,  503,  510,  578,  587 

Scolopax  guarauna 615 

semipalmata 609 

wilsoni 606 

Scops  asio 332,  336,  389,  518,  571 

a.  aaio 571 

var.  maccalU 571 

flammeola 335,  382 

maccalli 571 

Seiurus  ludovicianus 486 

noveboracensis 381 

Selasphorus  anna 558 

platycerms,. 325,360,  361 

362,  363,  368,  372,  375,  376,  378 
383,  385,  389,  451,  559,  560,  563 

mfu8 339,342 

363,  379,  380,  385,  389,  559,  563 
Setophaga  ruiicilla 322,  367,  370,  372 

373,  376,  377,  381,  384,  386,  387,  438 

Sialia  arciica 321,  342,  345 

348,  350,  356,  357,  360,  367,  370 
373,  383,  384,  387,  403,  404,  535 

mexicana 323,  333,  334,  335,  339 

347,  348,  350,  351,  382,  387,  402,  404 

sialis '. 403,455,507 

Sitta  acnleata  ..319,  347,  873,  382,  387,  415,  416,  417 

canadensis 319,  364,  365,  373,  386,  387,  416 

caroUnensis 415,  416 

(3.  aculeaia 415 

var.  aculeata 415 

pygmcBa 319,  347,  373,  382,  387,  417 

Spatula  clypeata 327,  337,  341,  369,  390,  624 

Spmtyio  ounicularia 573 

o.  cunicularia 573 

p.  grallaria 573 

y.  hypogcBa 573 

var.  hypogaea 573 

6.  floridana 573 

e.  guadaloupenis 573 

Ixypogroa 324,  330,  331 

332,  342,  348,  352,  353,  368,  389,  416 

Sphyrapicus  nuchalis 319,  321,  347 

365,  375,  383,  384,  388,  439,  549,  552 

ruber 319,333,336,388,549 

thyroideus 319,  345,  347 

375,  382,  383,  .384,  388,  550,  551,  552 

varius 550,  552 

YoriaB.  b.  nuchalis 549 

var.  nuchalis 549 

c.  ruber 549 


Page. 

Sphyrapicus  varius  var.  ruber 549 

williamsoni 551,552 

Spizella  arizonae 321,329,  330 

336,  340,  357,  359,  360,  368,  374,  388 

hreu^cri 324,  329,  330,  331,  336,  340,  348 

349,  351,  353,  357,  358,  361,  362,  363 
364,  367,  370,  371,  374,  388,  479,  480 

moniicola 338,  342 

348,  350,  381,  384,  388,  478 

pallida 331 

var.  breweri 480 

pmilla 480 

socialis 468,  478 

P,  arizonm 479 

b.  arizonsd 479 

♦  var.  arizonse 479 

Steganopus  wilsoni 327,  341,  369,  385,  389,  604 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennts 326,  330,  337 

339,  349,  367,  373,  387,  440,  444,  446 

Stellula  calliope .325,  360 

372,  375,  383,  385,  389,  560,  563 

Sterna  forsteri 327,  331 

341,  345,  354,  358,  361,  369,  390,  639 

640 

havelli 639 

Philadelphia 639 

plumbea 640 

regia ....  327,  341,  345,  346,  354,  369,  390,  639 

(Thalasseus)  regius 639 

Strix  acadlca 572 . 

albifrons 572 

americana 569 

asio 571 

brachyotus 571 

flammea 569 

americana 569 

var.  americana 569 

/?.  pratincola 569 

hypogffia 573 

pratincola 332,389,569 

var.  pratincola 569 

(Bubo)  arcticus 572 

Struthus  caniceps 474 

Sturnella  magna 506,  508 

b.  neglecta 506 

var.  neglecta 506 

neglecta 326,330,335,  336 

337,  340,  348,  350,  351,  354,  356,  357 
361,  363,  368,  374,  388,  477,  480,  506 

Sylvia  auduboni 433 

celata 429 

macgillivrayi 435 

nigrescens 433 

occidentalis 432 

ruficapilla 427 

townsendi. 432 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


661 


Page. 
Symphemia  semipalmata  ..341,  353,  369,  376,  389,  609 

Tachyoineta  hioolor 323,  339 

348,  367,  373,  387,  439,  440,  441,  444 
thalassina 326,  327,  339,  343 

357,  360,  367,  373,  384,  387,  443,  564 

Tachypetea  aquila 309 

Tanagra  ludoviciana 454 

Telmatodytes  paludicola 326,  337 

339,  349,  358,  366,  367,  373,  3B7 

palustris 425 

p.  paludicola 425 

Tetrao  californious 602 

phasianellus 599 

obscurus   598 

umbelloides 599 

urophasianns 600 

(Centrocercus)  iirophasianus 600 

Thalasseus  regius 639 

Thryomanes  bewicki 422,  468 

y.  spilurus 422 

spilurus 329,  330,  335,  387,  422 

Thryothorus  bewicki 422 

var.  spilurus 422 

■  ludovicianus 419 

mexicanus 420 

spilurus 422 

Tinnunculus  sparverius 578 

Totanus  semipalmatus 609 

solitarius 610 

Tringa  alpina 607 

americana 604 

aJpina  /3.  americana 607 

var.  americana 607 

americana 341,  389 

bairdi 327,  341,  353,  389,  604,  608,  609 

bartramia 611 

macularia 610 

minutilla.'S27y  341, 353, 369, 389,  604,  608,  609 

pusilla 609 

solitaria 610 

wilsoni 608 

(Scboeuiclus)  alpina  var.  americana.      607 
.Tringoid€8  maculariua  327,  337,  341 

349,  350,  361,  369,  376,  389,  417,  610 
TrocUlus  alemndn...d2b,  330,  331,  340,  341,  360,  368 

372,  375,  389,  558,  559,  560,  561,  563 

calliope - . . .       563 

colnhris 331,559 

platycercus 560 

rufus 559 

Troglodntes  aedon 422,  425 

/?.  parkmanni 422 

var.  parkmanni 422 

hyemalis 349,384,424 

p.  pacificus 424 


Page. 

Troglodytes  hyemalis  var.  pacificus 424 

obsoletus 418 

parvulus  var.  pacificus 424 

pacificus 342,  387 

parkmanni 323,332,335 

339,  343,  348,  349,  350,  351,  355,  359 
361,  363,  364,  367,  373,  387,  422,  451 

spilurus 422 

Turdus  auduboni  ...367,  372,  373,  383,  386,  394,  397 
fu8ce8C€n8....277f  381,  383,  386,  394,  397,  398 

guttatus 365,  379,  386,  393,  473 

/?.  auduboni 394 

migratoHus 321,  333,  334,  335 

338,  343,  348,  349,  3.50,  356 
357,  359,  360,  361,  363,  364 
367,  373,  376,  386,  391,  518 

var.  migratorius 391 

propinquua 392 

nanus 393 

pallasi 380 

var.  auduboni 380,394 

nanus 380,393 

b.  nanus 393 

b.  auduboni 394 

silens 394 

swainsoni 319,322,  361 

362,  363,  364,  367,  372,  373 
376,  380,  383,  385,  386,  397 

a  swainsoni 397 

trichas 434 

nstulatus 319,  334 

335,  339,  341,  386,  397,  398,  409 

(S,  swainsoni 397 

Tyrannula  cinerascens 533 

hammondi 543 

nigricans 534 

obscura 541 

richardsoni 537 

Tyrannus  borealis 535 

carolinensis 323,  331,  339,  342 

368,  375,  380,  384,  385,  388,  528,  532 

veritmlia 323,329,330 

331,  340,  350,  351,  357,  359,  361 
368,  374,  388,  528,  533,  539,  561 

Vireo  belli 331,452 

cassini 449 

gilvus  b.  swainsoni 448 

var.  swainsoni 448 

plumbeus 451 

puBillua 329,330,331,387,451 

solitarius , 449,  450 

var.  cassini 449 

plumbeus 451 

swainsoui 351,  448 

Vireoaylvia  giha 448 

var.  swainsoni 448 


662 


INDEX  TO  PART  HI. 


Page. 

Vireosylvia  gilvaf  jS,  swaimoni 448 

olivacea 381 

plumbea 451 

Bolitaria 450 

var.  plumbea 380 

solitaria 380 

swainsoni 323,330,337 

339,  354,  355,  357,  359 

361,  363,  364,  367,  370 

373, 387,  388,  430,  448 

Vulturaura 593 

Xanthocephalua  ioterocephdlus 326,  330 

337,  340,  348,  354,  358,  361 
368,  374,  425,  502,  504,  506 

Xanthomas  bnllockii 508 


Page. 

Zenasdura  caroUnenm 309,  323,  330 

336,  337,  339,  340,  349,  351,  352,  356 
357,  358,  359,  361,  362,  363,  364,  368 
370,  375,  376,  377,  389,  469,  499,  596 

Zonotrichia  coronata 332,  335,  336 

356,  379,  380,  385,  388,  450,  473,  482 

fallax 482 

gamheli 471 

intermedia 380 

intermedia 325,  332,  334 

342,  348,  349,  350,  355,  356,  363,  364 

365,  366,  388,  403,  470,  471,  473,  478 

Uucophrys  ..  ..325,  367,  372,  374,  380,  381 

384,  386,  388,  470,  478,  485 

var.  gambeli 471 

intermedia 471 


INDEX    TO    PART    III. 


POPULAR  FAMES. 


Page. 

American  Avocet 605 

Bittern 618 

Coot 614 

Gallinule 613 

Kestril 578 

Magpie 520 

Merlin 578 

Pelican 627 

Peregrine 575 

Raven 512 

Redstart 438 

Robin 391 

Stilt 606 

Anna's  Hummer 558 

Arkansas  Flycatclier 528 

Goldfinch 462 

Artemisia  Sparrow 476 

Ash-throated  Flycatcher 332,  333 

Audubon's  Thrush  394 

Warbler 334 

Avocet 352,606 

Baird's  Sandpiper 608 

Baltimore  Oriole 507,  509,  565 

Bald  Eagle 343,592,593 

Bald-pate 622 

Band-tailed  Pigeon 595 

Bank  Swallow 444,445,446 

Bam  Owl 332,569 

Swallow 344,  405, 422,  440,  441,  459 

Bartram's  Tatler 611 

Bay-winged  Bunting 466,  497 

Belted  Kingfisher 545 

Bewick's  Wren 419,422,423 

Big  Black-head 625 

Bittern 618 

Black  Brant 621 

-backed  Three- toed  Woodpecker 548 

-biUed  Magpie 519,  520,  521 

-cap 411 

-capped  Chickakee 332,412 

-capped  Green  Warbler 430 

YeUow  Warbler 437 

-chinned  Hummer  559 

Curlew 354,615 

•eared  Titmouse 415 


Page. 

Black-footed  Albatross 309 

-headed  Grosbeak 323,  329,  454,  488,  561 

Pewee 329,422,534 

Rail 362 

Snipe 615 

Swift 565 

Tern 640 

-throated  Gray  Warbler 428,  433 

Sparrow 459,475,580 

Blue-fronted  Jay 523 

-gray  Gnatcatcher 409 

Grosbeak 329,  489 

Grouse 598 

Jay 519 

Nutcracker 348,517 

-winged  Teal 623 

Bob-o-link 500 

White 602 

Bonaparte's  Gull 639 

Broad-tailed  Hununer 560 

Bronzed  Ibis 615 

Brewer's  Blackbird 510 

Span-ow 329,459,580 

Brown  Bunting 498 

Creeper 333,418 

-headed  Woodpecker 551 

Pelican 309 

Thrasher 401 

Buff-breasted  Sheldrake 627 

BuUock's  Oriole 329,  370,  454,  508,  509 

Burrowing  Owl 332,573 

Butter-baU 626 

California  Bluebird 333,  334,  402 

Grebe 642 

Gull 637 

Valley  Jay 525 

QuaU '.-.      602 

Woodpecker 332,553 

Calliope  Hummer 563 

Canada  Goose 620 

Sparrow 478 

Canon  Wren 420 

Canvas-back 625 

Cardinal  Grosbeak 536,  603 

Carolina  Chickadee ^ 411,  412 

663 


664 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


Page. 

Carolina  Wren 419 

Cassin's  Purple  Finch 457,  463 

Vireo 449 

Catbird 370,372,399,494,527 

Cedar  Bird 446,  455 

Chimney  Swift 405,  564,  566 

Chipping  Sparrow 329,  479 

Cinnamon  Teal 621,  623 

darkens  Nutcracker 347,  515,  518,  523,  554 

Cliff  Swallow.^ 309,405 

440,  441,  443,  445,  446,  459,  535,  579 

Common  Crossbill 455 

Crow 332,513,514 

Goldfinch 461 

Orange-crowned  Warbler 429 

Rail 612 

Robin  334 

Snipe 606 

Common  Troupial 507 

Cooper's  Hawk 581 

Coot 310,345,614 

Cowbird 502 

Blackbird 501 

Desert  Lark 353 

Dick  Cissel 494 

Dipper 334,406 

Double-crested  Cormorant 635 

Downy  Woodpecker - . .  546 

Duck  Hawk 575 

Dusky  Grouse 598 

Dusky  Red-tail 582 

Dwarf  Hermit  Thrush 393 

Eared  Grebe 642 

Eastern  Bluebird 413,455,507 

Kingbird 339 

Lark. 507 

Purple  Finch 457 

Snowbird 473 

Yellow-rump 433 

-rumped  Warbler ^ , .  433 

European  House  Sparrow 459 

Fairy  Titmouse 320. 

Fish  Crow 513 

Hawk    , 593 

Florida  Galliuule 310 

Forster's  Tern. :...  639 

Gadwall 621,622 

Gairdner's  Woodpecker 455,  546 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet 409,  410 

Sparrow 472 

Eagle 589,590 


Page. 

Golden-eye 626 

Warbler 431 

GoldFinch 329 

Gray-headed  Purple  Finch 350 

Snowbird 474 

Ruffed  Grouse 599 

Titmouse .320,  410,  411,  414 

Grass  Bunting. 466 

Ground  Owl 573 

Robin 492 

Green-head  , 621 

-backed  Goldfinch 462 

Heron 617 

Ibis 354,615 

-winged  Teal 623 

-tailed  Bunting 466,496 

Great  Blue  Heron ...343,344,  616 

White  Heron 617 

Crested  Flycatcher 533 

Homed  Owl 572 

Northern  Shrike 452 

Guinea  Hen 502 

Guttersnipe 407 

Hairy  Woodpecker 545 

Hammond's  Flycatcher 543 

Harris's  Woodpecker 545 

Hanging  Bird 459 

Heermann's  Gull 635 

Hermit  Thrush 393 

Hepburn's  Leucosticte 461 

Hooded  Sheldrake 627 

Horned  Owl  576 

Lark : 487,  332,  464,  498 

House  Finch .  ..344,  349,  350,  358,  370,  404,  449,  450 

Pigeon 595 

Wren 332,419,422 

Hybrid  Flicker 556 

Indigo  Bird^ 435 

Kentish  Plover 604 

Kill-deer 603,  610 

Plover 576 

Kingbird 532 

Kingfisher 310,446,579 

Lapland  Longspur - 461,  464 

Lark  Bunting.... 329,487 

Sparrow 467,469 

Lawrence's  Goldfinch 463 

Large-billed  Water  Thrush 486 

Lawyer 605 

Lazuli  Bunting 329,  490 

Lead-colored  Titmouse 413 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


665 


Page. 

Lead-colored  Vireo 428,  451 

Least  Bittern 618 

Sandpiper 608 

Titmouse 413 

Vireo .329,451 

Lesser  Snow  Goose. 354,  619 

Lewises  Woodpecker ^32,  553 

Lettuce  Bird '. 461 

Lincoln^s  Sparrow 464 

Little  Black  Rail 613 

-head 625 

Flycatcher 539 

Red  Owl 571 

Titmouse 355 

White  Egret 3C9 

Long-billed  Curlew 609,611 

Marsh  Wren 425 

-clawed  Ground  Robin 491 

-crested  Jay 524 

-eared  Owl 570 

-tailed  Chat 436 

Chickadee 412 

House  Wren 329,421 

Louisiana  Tan ager 334,  422,  454 

Magpie 337,  345,  377,  518,  570 

Mallard 621 

Man-o-war  Hawk   --- 309 

Marsh  Hawk 577,580 

Maryland  Yellow-throat 434,  435,  436 

Maximilian's  Jay 517,  518 

McGillivray's  Warbler 435 

Meadow  Lark 468 

Mexican  Lark 469 

Mooking-Bird 401,  448,  527 

Mottled  Owl. 332,571 

Mourning  Dove 309,  338,  351,  596 

Mountain  Blue-bird 370,  404 

Chickadee 347,411,412 

Eagle ,.      591 

Grouse 598 

Jay 333,334,  347 

Mocking-Bird 399,  400 

Partridge 601 

Quail 601 

Nashville  Warbler 427 

Night  Hawk 537,566,568 

Heron 618 

Nutcracker 333,  334,  523 

NuttalPs  Woodpecker 332,447 

OHve-backed  Thrush 397 

-sided  Flycatcher 535 

Orange-crowned  Warbler 429 

Orchard  Oriole 507,509 


Pasre. 

Oregon  Ground  Robin 491,  492 

Snowbird 334,  403,473 

Swift 566 

Thrush 334 

Osprey... 593 

Parkman's  Wren 422 

Passenger  Pigeon 518,  596 

Peregrine  Falcon 344,  575 

Pigeon  Hawk 578 

Pigmy  Nuthatch 417 

Pine  Goldfinch ' 463 

Pine  Hen 599 

PiHon  Jay 320 

Pin-tail 622 

Poor  Will 567 

Prairie  Falcon 577,  579 

Purple  Finch 345 

Gallinule *....       309 

Martin  ..309,350,  405,  439,  440,  441,  442,  444 

Raven 512,513,596 

Red-bellied  Nuthatch 416 

-breasted  Woodpecker 549 

-and-black-shouldered  Blackbird 504 

-buff-shouldered  Blackbird 503 

-  whi  te-shouldered  Blackbird 505 

-backed  Sandpiper 657 

-billed  MudHen 613 

-breasted  Sheldrake 627 

Hawk 3:^,582 

-head 624,625 

Linnet 458,529 

-headed  Woodpecker 516, 553,  554 

-naped  Woodpecker 439,  549 

-shafted  Flicker 455,  516,  555,  579 

-shouldered  Blackbird 503 

Hawk 582 

-tailed  Hawk 524,  58:2 

-throated  Woodpecker .., 550 

-winged  Blackbird 462,  504 

Redstart 370,372 

Richardson's  Pewee 537 

Ridgway's  Sparrow 471 

Ring-bill 625 

-billed  Gull 638 

-necked  Woodpecker 576 

Robin 333,  345,  403,  408,  422,  423,  518,  581 

Thrush 391 

Rock  Wren 336,  349,  404,  418,  419,  420,  421,  423 

Rocky  Mountain  Bluebird 403 

Hermit  Thrush 394,397 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak 488 

Rough-leg 590 

-legged  Hawk 513,589 

-winged  Swallow 440,  445,  446 


666 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


Page. 

Royal  Tern 639 

Ruby-crowned  Kinglet -•.- 401,  409 

-throat 559 

Raddy  Duck 626 

RuffedGrouse 599 

Rufous-backed  Hummer 560 

Hummer 339,559 

Sage  Hen 591,600 

Thrasher 399,400 

Saker  Falcon..-. 577 

Sand-hiU  Crane .611,619 

Savanna  Sparrow 353^464,467 

Saw-whet  Owl 572 

Say's  Pewee. 344,  459,  534 

Scarlet  Tanager ,. 454 

Screech  Owl..-. 518 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk 561,581 

-tailed  Grouse 365,599 

Shining  Ptilogonys 447 

Shore  Lark 498 

Short-eared  Owl 571 

Shoveller 624 

Skylark 469 

Sparrow 467 

Slate-colored  Sparrow 486 

Slender-billed  Nuthatch 415 

Snowbird 350,405,419,613 

Snowy  Heron 309 

Plover 604 

Solitary  Sandpiper 610 

Vireo 450 

Song  Sparrow * 481,  482,  492 

SoraEail 612 

Southern  Black-cap 412 

Shrike 453 

Sparrow  Hawk 578,585 

Spotted  Sandpiper 610 

Squirrel  Hawk 590 

Steller's  Jay 523,  524 

Sunmier  Yellowbird 428,431,437 

Swainson's  Buzzard 584 

Hawk 583,584,686 

Thrush 372,397 

Vireo 356,430 

Swallow-tailed  Kite .- 309 

Tawny  Thrush 397,398 

Teeter 407 

Thick-billed  Grebe 643 

Sparrow 345,485 

Tilt-up : 407 

Tit-lark 426 

Ton*  Crow 513 

Towhee 492 


Page. 

Townsend's  Ptilogonys 408 

Solitaire 334 

Warbler 432 

Traiirs  Flycatcher -...329,  370,  539 

Tree  Sparrow 478 

Trumpeter  Swan 619 

Tule  Wren 425 

Turkey  Buzzard 332,  593,594 

Valley  Bluebird 404 

Jay 332,333,379,553 

Quail 333,602 

Vesper  Sparrow 466 

Violet-green  Swallow 343,  443,  445,  579 

Virginia  Rail 612 

Virginia's  Warbler  -  -  - 428 

Warbling  Vireo 370,448 

Water  Ouzel. 406 

Western  Bluebird 402 

Chickadee 412 

Grebe 641 

Kingbird 329,  528,  561 

Meadow  Lark 506,507 

Prairie  Chicken 599 

Tanager 454 

Towhee 491 

Warbler 432 

White-crownod  Sparrow 403 

Winter  Wren 424 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher 544 

Whip-poor-will 567 

Whistler  [Swan] 619 

White-bellied  Nuthatch 415 

Swallow 439,  440 

441,  442,  444,  445,  446 

-billed  Mud  Hen 614 

Brant 619 

-crowned  Sparrow 334,  372,  470 

-headed  Gull 309 

Woodpecker    547,548 

-rumped  Shrike 453 

-tailed  Kite 592 

Woodpecker 516 

-throated  Swift 443,  564,  579 

-throated  Wren 420 

-winged  Crossbill 456 

Willet 609 

Wilson's  Phalarope 604 

Snipe 606 

Thrush 398 

Williamson's  Woodpecker 551 

Winter  Wren 424 

Wood  Duck 624 

Pewee 329,537 


INDEX  TO  PART  III. 


66^ 


Page. 

Wood  Thrush 507 

Wren 323,422 

Woodhouse'a  Jay 355,526 

Wright's  Flycatcher 541 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo 558 

Magpie 332,  519,  553 

-breasted  Chat 436,  492 


Page. 

Yellow  Hammer - 555 

-headed  Blackbird,. 502 

Orange-crowned  Warbler 429 

-rumped  Warbler 544 

-shafted  Flicker 555,557 

Warbler 329 

-winged  Sparrow 467 

Yelper 605 


INDEX   TO   PART    III. 


INDIAN  NAMES. 

The  letter  aDuexed  to  a  name  is  the  tribe  iDitial:  P.,  denotiDg  Paiute  (or  Pah-Ute),  S.,  Shoehone,  and 
and  W.,  Washoe, — the  tribes  whose  vocabularies  were,  in  part,  noted. 


Page. 

Ab'dah,  P.  ( Corviw  carnivorus) 512 

Ah'-soo-pannab,  P.  {Colaptes  mexicanus) 555 

Assoi'-te-Queh-nah',    P.    (Arvliihuieo    sancti- 

joliannis) • 589 

Bahns,  P-       J  (  PeUcanus  erythrorhynckus) . . ,  627 
Bah»-nu8,  P.  <  ^                    *           ^         ^ 

Gooe- no'atz,  S.  ( Colapfea  meuiicantis) 555 

Gueb'-nah,  S.  ( Aqaila  canadensis) 590 

Gue-ni'-heet,  P.  ( Lanis  califomious) 637 

Hih,  S.  (Corvus  cajntivorue) 512 

Ho'shim,  W.  ( lihinogryphua  aura) 593 

Hang'  o-bo'-ah,  W.  (Zencedura  cdrolinensis)..  596 

Kah'gebk,  W.  ( Corvua  carnivorus) 512 

Kah'-gebk  Nab'-ming,  W.  {Corvus  america- 

nus) 514 

Kabsoo'-te,  W.  {Picus  harrisi) 545 

Kay '-lehk,  W.  ( GalUnago  wilaoni) 606 

Kih'-bik,  P.  (  Oreortyx  pictus) 601 

Koo'-ta-gueb',  P.  ( Antrostomus  nuttalU) 567 

Ko w'-a-look,  W.  (  Chordeiles  henry i) 568 

Look'-em,  W.  (Hedymeles  melartooephalus}  —  488 

Loo'-kem-o,  W.  ( Botaurus  minor) .  618 

Ma'-cd-e-kan-ab'-ebk,  W.  UArcHhuteosancii- 

Ma'-hoo-ebk,  W.                 \    johannls 589 

Mab'-tem-ab'-tek,  W.  (  Oreortyx  pictus) 601 

Moo-boo',  P.  ( Bubo  subarticus) 572 

Moob'-um-pooh',  W.  {Zonotriohia  intermedia) . .  471 

Ne-bab'-tone,  P.  {Junco  oregoriua) 473 

Pab'-at-se'-tone,  P.  {Stum^lla  negUcta) 506 

Pab'-bup,  W.  (Pioicorvus  columbianus) .......  515 

Pab-cool'-up-at'-sa-que,  P.   {Agelwus  phceni- 

ecus) 503 

Pah-t8ik'-we,P.        haraculusfloHdanus)..  630 
Pab-tsik'-wy-be,  V.  y                *^ 

Pabn-toy'-be,  S.  {Eimantopus  mexicanus) 606 

Pang'-we-chin'uh-moo,  S.  {Ceryle  alcyon) 545 

Pe'ab  Gueh-nab',  8.  {Archihuteo  sancti-johan' 

nis) 589 

Pe'-esb-a-tse,  S.  {SeJasphorus  platycercus) 560 

Pi8b'-e-wab'-e-te-tse>  S.  (Empidonax  obseunis) .  541 

Pish'-e-wab'-e-tse,  S*  {Empidonax pusillus) . . .  536 

Pob-tahl'-ing-ebk,  W.  (Aquila  canadensis)  .. .  590 

Pooe- tse'-tsc,  W.  ( Pipilo  chlorurus) 496 

Queh'  Ab'dab,  P.  (Corvua  americanua) 514 

668 


PrtgO. 

Queh-nab',  P.  (Aquila  canadensis) '. 590 

Que-nabk'-et,  P.  {Larus,  sp.) 637 

Que'-to-gib,  gib,  P.  (Pica  hudsonica) 520 

Qu'-um-ab'-utz,  S.  (Sphyrapicus  nucJialis) 549 

Se-hoot'-se-pah,  P.  (Melospiza  fallax) 481 

Se-yob',  W.  (Centrocercus  uropkasianus) 600 

Se-zoob',  W.  (Xdnihocephalus  icteroceplmlus) . ,  502 
Se-zoob'-te-mo-lab',  gebk,  W.  (Agelceus  pkoBni- 

ceua) 503 

Se-zooh'-te-ya'-lelik,  W.  (Sturi^ella  neghcia)..  506 

Si'yeh-eh,  S.  (  GalUnago  wilsoni) 606 

Si'-ye-beb,  S.  ( Fulica  aniericana) 614 

So-bo-quoy'-e-tse,  S.  (Spizella  arizonw) 479 

Soong-oob'-eb,   P.  (Trochilus  alexandriy   and 

Selasphorus  rvfus) ,...  559 

Tab'-bab-bone-kah'-bab,  P.  (Botaurus  minor) .  618 

Tab'-bah-klat'-uk,  W.  (Junco  oregonus) 473 

Tab'-tu  t,  W.  (  Pica  hudsonica) 520 

Tab'  um-pabrr-te,  W.  (Ceryle  alcyon) 545 

Te'-lebk,  W.  (Anas  boschas) 621 

Teniooh-moob',  W.  (Bubo  subarticus) 572 

Tetsuoi',  W.  ( Colaptes  mexicanus) 555 

Toet-ea-gueh',  S.  (Antrostomus  nuttalli) 567 

Tob'-o-kotz,  S.  (  Picicarvus  columbthnus) 515 

Tok'-et-se-wbab',  P.  (Amphispiza  nevadenais).  476 
Toowir-b'-e-kim'-booah,  S.  (Selasphorus  platy- 

cercus) 560 

To-que'-ob,  P.  ( Sayomis  sayua) 534 

Tsan'-ak-nnk'ket-ah,  P.  (  Ceryle  alcyon) 545 

Tu-ebk'-tuddle,  W.  ( Oreortyx  pictus) 601 

Tuttoo-boy'-ebk,  W.  ( GalUnago  tviUoni) 606 

Uni-gu'-eet,  P.  (Hedymeles  melanocephalus) . , .  488 

Wab-pe'-pannab,  P.  ( Pivus  harrisi) 545 

We'abk,  P.  ( Cyanocitta  woodhousii) 526 

We-bo'-pe,  P.  (Zencedura  caroUnensis) 596 

We'-to- wicb,  P.  ( Carpodacus  frontalis) 458 

Wut'-tn-ze-ze,  P.  (Amphispiza  bilineata) 475 

Wy'-e-up-ab'-ob,  S.  ( Chordeiles  henryi) 568 

Yet'-*  o-gisb,  P.  (Emj^idonax  obscurus) 541 

Yo-sboo'-ab,  W.  (Cyanocitta  calif ornica) 5C5 

You'-oo-hoot'-se-pab,  P.  (Zonotrichia  interme- 
dia)  471 

Yset'ke,  W.  (Icterus  buUocki) 508 


INDEX    TO   PART    III. 


LOCALITIES  DESCRIBED  OR  SPECIALLY  REFERRED  TO. 


Page. 

Acapulco - 309 

Antelope  Island  (Great  Salt  Lake) 370 

Aspinwall 309 

Austin  (Toyabe  Mountains,  Nevada) 356 

Big  Bend  (Truckee  River,  Nevada) 338 

Buena  Vista  Cafion  (West  Humboldt  Mount- 
ains, Nevada) 355 

*'  Camp  19"  (Ruby  Mountains,  Nevada) 357 

"Camp  22"  (East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Ne- 
vada)...  362 

Cape  St.  Lucas .'....  309 

Carrington  Island  (Great  Salt  Lake) 371 

Carson  City  (Nevada) 346 

Carson  River  (Nevada) 350 

City  of  Rocks  (Idaho) 365 

Clover  Mountains  (Nevada) 365 

Cometock  Mountains  (Nevada) 344 

Dearing's  Rancbe  (Nevada) 363 

Deep  Creek  (Utah) 366 

Edwards^  Creek  (Nevada) 352 

Fairview  Valley  (Nevada) 352 

Fort  Churchill  (Nevada) 351 

Glendale  (Truckee  Meadows,  Nevada) 336 

Holmes's  Creek  (Nevada) 365 

Humboldt  Marshes  (Nevada) 353 

Islands  of  Pyramid  Lake  (Nevada) 343 

Kamas  Prairie  (Utah) 377 

Nevada  Station  (Carson  River,  Nevada)  ....  351 

Oreana  (Humboldt  River,  Nevada) 354 

Overland  Ranche  (Ruby  Valley,  Nevada) ...  360 

Pack's  Canon  (Uinta  Mountains,  Utah) 376 

Panama 309 

Parley's  Park  (Wahsatch  Mountains,  Utah)  371 
Plains  [between  Sacramento  and  the  Sierra 

Nevada] 332 

Provo  River  (Utah) 377 

Pyramid  Lake  [vicinity  of] 339-344 

Rabbit  Island  (Great  Salt  Lake) 371 

Ruby  Mountains  (Nevada) 357 


Page. 
Ruby  Valley  (Nevada)  :— 

**  Camp  19" 357 

"Camp  22" 362 

Overland  Ranche * 360 

Sacramento  City  (California) 310,328 

Salt  Lake  City  (Utah) 366 

Sand  Springs  (Carson  Desert,  Nevada) 352 

San  Francisco  ( California) 310 

Secret  Valley  (East  Humboldt  Mountains, 

Nevada) 363 

Sierra  Nevada  (Caliiornia  and  Nevada) : — 

Western  Foot-hills 333 

WesternSlope 334 

Summit 334 

Eastern  Slope 335 

Soda  Lake  (Carson  Desert,  Nevada) 351 

Stansbury  Island  (Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah)  ..  371 

Steamboat  Valley  (Nevada) 345 

Thousand  Spring  Valley  (Nevada) 365 

Toyabe  Mountains  (Nevada) 3r6 

Trout  Creek  (Upper  Humboldt  Valley,  Ne- 
vada)   364 

Truckee  Meadows  (Nevada) 336 

Truckee  Reservation  (Nevada) 339 

Uinta  Mountains  (Utah) 376 

Unionville  (West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Ne- 
vada)   355 

Upper  Humboldt  Valley  (Nevada) : — 

Dearing's  Ranche 363 

Trout  Creek 364 

Virginia  Mountains  (Nevada) 344 

Virginia  City  (Nevada) 349 

Wahsatch  Mountains  (Utah)  :— 

Parley's  Park 371 

Provo  Canon 377 

Washoe  Valley  (Nevada) 344 

.  Wright's  Cafion  (West  Humboldt  Mountains, 

Nevada) 354 


m 


m4 


im 


|^^^;■:■•■■^;''.:11•^•»y^Jf'Hfl 

^fii  ?:>?•. Vi^^ri        -7   . 


ii-e\;:^\       <     ...  .      ■  ■  ---ts 

i