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159 Sapsucker Woods
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS Cornel} University
in tthacas New York 2950
ZOOLOGY
Vol. 7, No. 10, pp. 319-436, plates 7-12 February 14, 1912
FIELD NOTES ON AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES
AND BIRDS OF NORTHERN HUMBOLDT
COUNTY, NEVADA,
WITH A DISCUSSION OF SOME OF THE FAUNAL
FEATURES OF THE REGION
BY
WALTER P. TAYLOR
(Contribution from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of California)
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction 319
Itinerary : -- 821
Descriptions of Localities 322
The Life Zones of the Pine Forest Mountain Region ....0-.......:.:0000 333
Discussion of Life Zones 338
Check-lists of Species Recorded by the Nevada Expedition .................. 340
General Observations of the Species 342
The Amphibians 342
The Reptiles “346
The Birds 356
Literature Cited 423
Explanation of Plates 426
INTRODUCTION
In order to progress toward the ultimate solution of the
problems in the field of biology, it is essential that increasingly
accurate and comprehensive observations of living forms, both
in a state of nature and under experimental conditions, be carried
320 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 7
forward and recorded. The biological explorations made in the
Pine Forest Mountain region were prosecuted with this principle
in mind; and in the present paper detailed facts of possible
faunal and distributional significance have been emphasized.
, At the present time it is coming to be realized that there are
other characters distinguishing species than those brought for-
ward through morphological researches, as, for example, those
belonging to the domains of physiology and psychology. These
characters, being less accessible and sometimes less tangible, offer
more obstacles to precise definition than those others dealing
with structure. Nevertheless, traits, habits, manners of perform-
ing particular acts, preferences of one kind and another, seem
in most cases to be as definite and as constant characteristics of
species as the shape and size of bill and feet, or coloration of
fur and configuration of skull. An attempt has in this paper
been made to place the emphasis upon such non-morphological
characters, here mainly psychological. That the facts as recorded
are in some cases fragmentary and unrelated to others indicates
strongly the general desirability of putting on record such data
as are available, to the end that later investigators in this field
may at least benefit by that little which is at present known.
This paper represents the completion of the report on the
vertebrates of the Pine Forest Mountain region, the first major
installment of which appeared as the ‘‘ Mammals of the Alexander
Nevada Expedition of 1909’’ (Taylor, 1911).
While Mr. Richardson and the writer were carrying on field
work in the Pine Forest Mountain region, Miss Alexander and
Miss Kellogg were members of a palaeontological expedition
working in the same general neighborhood (see Taylor, 1911,
p- 205). They incidentally collected specimens of vertebrates
and made field notes. The results of their work as well as of our
own have been incorporated into the present paper.
The writer must acknowledge indebtedness to the following
persons: to Professor Charles A. Kofoid, of the Department of
Zoology of the University of California, for generous criticism ;
to Mr. Joseph Grinnell, Director of the Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology of the University of California, for general direction and
advice in connection with the paper; to Professor Harvey M.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 321
Hall, of the Department of Botany of the University of Cali-
fornia, for identification of plants submitted to him; and to Mr.
Harold C. Bryant, Fellow in Zoology on the foundation estab-
lished by the California Fish and Game Commission, for pro-
visional identification of certain species of reptiles.
ITINERARY
Mr. Charles H. Richardson, Jr., and the writer left Berkeley
on May 10, 1909, arriving at Winnemucca, Nevada, on the fol-
lowing morning. From there we journeyed by stage to Quinn
River Crossing (Mason’s Crossing), seventy-five miles to the
northwest. One night en route was spent at Amos (Cane
Springs Station), and one at Tregaskis Well. The morning of
May 14 found us at our first collecting ground.
Camp was established one mile from the buildings of the
Quinn River Ranch on Wheeler Creek, tributary to the river
(see map, plate 7). Practically three weeks (May 15 to June 8)
were spent at this locality. Twelve miles in a northwesterly
direction from Quinn River Crossing is found Big Creek Ranch,
the second collecting station. This ranch is located at the base
of the Pine Forest Mountains. It constituted the first camp of
the ‘‘biological cross-section’’ series (see map, plate 7). By
establishing collecting localities from one side of the mountains
to the other, 1000 feet apart as regards altitude, we hoped to
obtain precise data on the range of species, life zones, and com-
parative distribution of forms on the two sides of the mountains.
Big Creek Ranch was the base camp for all further operations,
which had to be conducted by means of pack animals. We
remained in this locality two weeks (June 8 to 238).
The next camp was at the head of Big Creek (8000 feet),
where the time from June 23 to July 6 was spent. This became
the secondary, or mountain base of supplies. The following
camps were then established as parts of the cross-section plan:
Big Creek (6000 feet), July 6 to 8; Big Creek (7000 feet), July
8 to 10; Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet), July 10 to 12; Alder
Creek (7000 feet), July 12 to 14; Alder Creek Ranch (5000
feet), July 16 to 18; Head of Big Creek (8000 feet), July 19
to 29. The gaps in the series were thus filled, and the east-west
322 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou 7
cross-section completed. It will, of course, have been noted that
the cross-section is not an ideal one. To make it so an equal
amount of time should have been spent at each locality. Practical
difficulties, however, made this impossible. Furthermore, sea-
sonal change, even within the short space of time covered in the
cross-section series of camps, affects the distribution of certain
forms, particularly birds, and so ideally these localities should
all have been worked at the same time.
On July 29 we departed for Leonard Creek, making camp at
6500 feet altitude, and remaining until August 10. On this date
we returned to Big Creek Ranch, and prepared our outfit for
transit back to the University. Practically three months were
occupied in actual collecting.
DESCRIPTIONS OF LOCALITIES
(Refer to map, plate 7)
The following localities were visited either by members of the
palaeontological party or by our expedition.
Willow Point, Amos (Cane Springs Station), Sod House
Point, and Tregaskis Well (fourteen miles south of Quinn River
Crossing) are successive stage stations between Winnemucca and
Quinn River Crossing. Chimney Creek is a stream flowing west-
ward out of the Santa Rosa Mountains east of Amos.
Virgin Valley is located northwest of the Pine Forest Moun-
tains over a low range of hills (see map). Thousand Creek flows
northeast out of Virgin Valley. It is situated some twelve miles
north and a little west of Alder Creek Ranch. Soldier Meadows
is located on an arm of the Black Rock Desert, and is forty
miles due south of Virgin Valley. Little High Rock Cafion is
west and a little south of Soldier Meadows, being just over the
Humboldt County line in Washoe County.
Mason’s Crossing or Quinn River Crossing (altitude 4100
feet). —This locality is situated in the midst of the open desert
on the Quinn River. The stream is in this region strongly
alkaline and follows a winding course in a general westerly
direction, soon turning toward the southwest and flowing into a
sink on the Black Rock Desert.
Toward the east appears a series of low, desert hills, which
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 323
culminate to the north in Split and Trident peaks. The Pine
Forest Mountains, which constitute the highest range in this part
of Nevada, are seen to the west. Upon the south appear the
Jackson Mountains.
The flat expanse of the open desert extends away in all direc-
tions, interrupted in the near vicinity of the Crossing only by
two lava buttes which rise up to the northward. One can easily
realize that this great extent of regular desert was once the floor
of an arm of the great Pleistocene Lake Lahontan.
Tributary to the Quinn River at this locality is Wheeler
Creek, which rises in the hills to the northeastward and flows as
far as the river for a part of the year. The smaller stream is
largely utilized for the irrigation of the Quinn River Ranch,
owned by Miller & Lux.
The soil in the vicinity is made up of very fine particles,
which fly in clouds in response to the slightest breeze. Ordinarily
‘several miniature sand-pillars or whirls may be seen in the dis-
tance. Beneath the surface the soil is exceedingly hard, this fact
perhaps accounting for the comparative rarity there of burrow-
ing mammals.
A few willows (Salix fluviatilis exrgua) along the river were
the only trees in the vicinity. Mr. F. M. Payne, of the Miller &
Lux Company, said that introduced trees do not thrive.
The commonest shrub on the desert was Artemisia tridentata.
This plant grew more luxuriantly and to a greater size in the
general neighborhood of some creek or stream than elsewhere.
On the more arid waste places it was replaced locally by Arte-
misia spinescens, Grayia spinosa, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus.
On less arid portions of the desert such plants as Tetradymia
spinosa, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, and Mentzelia albicaulis were
associated with the true sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).
Along the river, vegetation was very sparse. At intervals
there were thickets of willow and wild rose (Rosa blanda) but
the growth was nowhere luxuriant. Other species occurring
along the stream were Poa buckleyana, Ribes aureum, Radicula
sinuata, Vicia americana, Artemisia ludoviciana, and Taraxacum
officinale.
A large proportion of the species of animals and plants found
324 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 7
at Quinn River Crossing are typically Sonoran in distribution,
many of them being found elsewhere not lower than Upper
Sonoran. On the other hand, while a number of the animal
species abundant at this locality (e.g., Oreoscoptes montanus,
Dendroica aestiva brewsteri, Eutamias pictus, Perognathus par-
vus olivaceus, Thamnophis vagrans) occur also in Transition, no
species in other localities characteristic of, or limited to, that
zone, with the possible exception of Otocoris alpestris merrilli
and Sceloporus graciosus, were found at Quinn River Crossing.
The conclusion seems justified, therefore, that the Quinn River
Valley in this vicinity is Upper Sonoran.
Pine Forest Mountains (4350-9400 feet; Biological. Cross-
section Camps nos. 1 to 8).—If one stands upon a high point
and looks out over the lower slopes of the range he is impressed
immediately with the excessively arid appearance of the moun-
tains as a whole (see pl. 8, figs. 1 and 2). No trees are to be
seen anywhere at the lower altitudes, except for the very narrow
and often broken lines along streams. The lower ridges, lying
baked and bare, are observed to be unprotected except by a very
meager growth of sagebrush or associated xerophytes. In the
higher parts of the mountains, the scene is somewhat more varied
(see pl. 10, fig. 1). A few quaking-aspen groves are noted on
the more humid of the meadows, and brush-like patches of the
same species of tree are apparent on certain favorable steep
slopes. Furthermore, a tract of limited proportions, confined
almost entirely to the western slope of the mountains, is seen to
be occupied by small limber pines, Pinus flextlis (2) (see pl. 11,
fig. 1). It is unfortunate that the identification of the pine is
based on foliage only, no cones being at hand. Geographic and
zonal considerations indicate that it is Pinus flexilis, although
its identity can not be considered to be certainly established.
Scattering groups of mountain mahogany are observed on certain
of the western ridges (see pl. 10, fig. 2).
The topography of the higher parts of the mountains seems
to indicate the former presence of glaciers. Several hanging
valleys were observed, and in three localities, namely at the head
of Leonard Creek, in the vicinity of Alder Creek Lake, and at the
head of Big Creek, there are land forms resembling cirques.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 325
Each one of the three little lakes appears to have been formed
through the damming up of cafions by morainal material. The
best examples of moraines in the mountains are found at the
head of Alder Creek. The peculiar shape of Alder Creek Lake
(see pl. 10, fig. 2) and the intersection of it by long mounds
are with very little doubt to be accounted for in this way. A
number of facetted rocks were picked up at Alder Creek Ranch.
Certain ridges in the mountains resemble the ‘‘sheep-back’’ type.
There are several extensive meadows, always grass-covered
and usually traversed by at least one creek, in the higher parts
of the mountains (see pl. 12, fig. 1). Usually there is a limited
area of springy ground, surrounded by thickets and grown over
with rank grass. Along the creeks or on the borders of the
meadow quaking aspens and a few willows may be found. On
the mountain slopes rising up from it extensive chinquapin
thickets and locally individual limber pines are often noted.
Snow banks persist until late in the summer on the highest
meadows (see pl. 9, fig. 1), and Iris missouriensis and Veratrum
californicum are common plants on the moister ones (see pl. 11,
fig. 2).
Big Creek Ranch (4350 feet; Biological Cross-section Camp
no. 1; see pl. 8, fig. 1).—This station is located three-fourths of a
mile from the mouth of Big Creek Cafion, and ten or twelve
miles in a northwesterly direction from Quinn River Crossing.
The ranch is on a broad alluvial fan. During the summer
season all the water of Big Creek is used for purposes of irriga-
tion.
The Pine Forest Mountains rise up immediately to the west,
appearing as a series of foothills resembling badlands. Their
very sparse covering of xerophilous plants is at once noticeable.
The vegetation of the fiat in the neighborhood of the ranch
was more scattering even than at Quinn River Crossing, being
made up largely of Chrysothamnus and Grayia, with some Arte-
misia tridentata. About the ranch buildings was a windbreak
of poplars. These trees, together with the willows and alders
along the stream, were the only ones in the vicinity. The quak-
ing aspens (Populus tremuloides) followed the creek down to
within a half-mile of the ranch.
326 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vow 7
As the mountains were approached, a pronounced difference
in the fauna, especially as regards reptiles, was observed. The
number of species of the latter, as well as the number of indi-
viduals, increased markedly. Cnemidophorus tigris, Crotaphytus
collaris baileyi, and Uta stansburiana were recorded for the first
time. Crotaphytus wislizenti, Sceloporus biseriatus, and Phry-
nosoma platyrhinos became abundant, whereas previously but
few specimens had been collected. Of the mammals, Neotoma
nevadensis, Lepus californicus wallawalla, and Perodipus microps
levipes were found in somewhat increased numbers. This locality
was the only one at which Onychomys brevicaudus was secured.
As regards birds, Say phoebes, western wood pewees, black-
throated sparrows, and western robins were more in evidence.
These facts probably do not indicate difference in temperature
so much as they do that there is something present, whether a
more suitable dwelling-place or better food supply or something
else, which proves especially attractive or favorable to the species
in question. For example, the presence of rock piles in which
they may nest conveniently accounts, at least partly, for the
increase in numbers of wood rats.
One factor which doubtless affects distribution is the nature
of the ground (see C. H. Merriam, 1892, p. 46). As Big Creek
Ranch is approached the flour-like, hard soil characteristic of
Quinn River Crossing is replaced by a more sandy, slightly
coarser material. The more favorable conditions in this respect
may account somewhat for the difference in number and abund-
‘ance of certain species of mammals and reptiles at the two
localities.
Zonally Big Creek Ranch is inseparable from Quinn River
Crossing, except that it apparently possesses a facies representa-
tive of a higher division of Upper Sonoran. Nearly all of the
species taken at Big Creek Ranch occur elsewhere in Upper
Sonoran, and several are not found above that zone.
Transitional elements were, however, noted at Big Creek
Ranch, which were lacking at Quinn River Crossing ; for example,
among plants, Populus tremuloides, Castilleia parvifolia, Alnus
tenuifolia, and Achillaea millefolium lanulosa; among mammals,
Erethizon epixanthum and Microtus mordac; and among birds
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 327
Vireosylva gilva swainsoni. So, keeping in mind the fact that
temperature may not be the only or even the principal limiting
factor in certain individual cases (of the species cited), still the
conclusion is justifiable, that Big Creek Ranch belongs to higher
Upper Sonoran than Quinn River Crossing, and may properly be
included in the area of admixture of Transition and Sonoran
forms, as shown in the accompanying map.
The Big Creek Camps (4500-8000 feet; Biological Cross-sec-
tion Camps nos. 2 to 4; see pl. 8, fig. 2) —From its mouth to a
point about a mile into the mountains Big Creek Cafion is narrow
and fairly steep-sided. Then it begins to widen, until at the
forks, about two miles distant from the mouth, a broad series of
rolling flats comes to view. If the creek is followed still farther,
the cafion once more becomes constricted.
In the biographie accounts of certain species reference has
been made to the ‘‘Dugout Camp,’’ which marks a mining claim.
This is located at 5000 feet altitude on Big Creek about half-
way between the mouth of the cafion and the forks.
The range in the region of the Dugout Camp and for some
distance east and west is made up of steep-sided foothills re-
sembling badlands. This series of hills continues for nearly the
entire north and south extent of the Pine Forest Mountains.
Then at the forks the rolling flats come into view. These are
continuous on the south with the even more extensive Leonard
Creek flats. From two to four miles farther west the main ridge
of the mountains, culminating in Duffer Peak (9400 feet), is
seen.
Biological Cross-section Camp no. 2 (6000 feet; see pl. 8,
fig. 2) —This camp was situated on Big Creek about a half-mile
above the forks. Artemisia tridentata was the prevailing plant
all over the flats and ridges. The trees along the stream, named
in the order of their abundance, were quaking aspens, willows,
and alders. The flowering plant most in evidence in the open
was Lupinus laxiflorus. This camp may perhaps more properly
be said to represent lower Transition than high Upper Sonoran.
The green-tailed towhee was common, and Citellus oregonus was
secured on nearby ridges. The presence of Chondestes gram-
328 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
macus strigatus indicates, however, that it is at best only low
Transition.
Biological Cross-section Camp no. 3 (7000 feet).—This camp
was made on a small meadow separated from the main stream of
Big Creek by a rocky ledge. The meadow was undoubtedly
Transition, as Thomomys fuscus fisheri was trapped upon it, and
Tris missouriensis was fairly common on nearby slopes. Zono-
trichia leucophrys leucophrys was probably nesting in brush in
the vicinity.
Very high Transition, with a touch of Boreal, was represented
on a limited area on a north-facing slope on the south side of
Big Creek at this altitude. There were several springs in this
area, and the verdure grew as luxuriantly as at any locality in
the mountains, the thickets being made up of quaking aspens
and many water-loving species of plants. In this cool, protected
situation both Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni and Zonotrichia
leucophrys leucophrys were noted.
Biological Cross-section Camp no. 4 (8000 feet; see pl. 9, figs.
1 and 2).—This camp at the head of Big Creek, at which more
time was spent than at any other established, was located at an
altitude of approximately 8000 feet, near the source of the south-
ernmost of the main feeder streams. Geologically speaking, the
glade in which camp was situated was apparently a hanging
valley.
As might be anticipated, the flowering season was found to be
later at this altitude than at the lower camps. Vegetation was
comparatively abundant. Quaking aspens grew to a height of
thirty feet along the creek. Associated with them in the sheltered
cafhon was the limber pine, which occurred also quite abundantly
on the north-facing slope on the south side of the cafion, and less
commonly on the south-facing slope on the opposite side. Such
plants as the following, referable to Transition zone and higher,
were found at this locality: Aquilegia truncata, Ribes cerewm,
Achillaea millefolium lanulosa, Aphyllon fasciculatum, Pent-
stemon confertus caeruleo-purpureus, Arnica chamissonis, Iris
missourrensis, Aconitum columbianum, Elymus pubiflorus, Sisym-
brium canescens, Allium validum, Ceanothus velutinus, Castanop-
sis (species not known), and Veratrum californicum. Of the
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 329
plants found the following indicate that zonally the locality is
high Transition with a Boreal infusion: Ribes cereum, Aconitum
columbianum, Pinus flerilis, Allium validum, Aquilegia trun-
cata and Veratrum californicum. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni,
Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys, Microtus mordax, Zapus
princeps oregonus, and Sorex palustris navigator also were taken.
Certain warm slopes nearby should probably be regarded as
low Transition, for while the Transition species Prunus demissa
and Amelanchier alnifolia were present, so also was the cafon
mouse (Peromyscus crinitus), an Upper Sonoran form.
Mammals were more numerous at this locality than at any
other visited, but birds were rare. In one day during which I
remained in camp and kept count of those noted, only sixteen
individuals, made up of the following species, were seen: red-
shafted flickers, 2; Clarke nutecrackers, 3; Cassin purple finch,
green-tailed towhee, thick-billed fox sparrow, rock wren, Audubon
warbler, and russet-backed thrush, 1 each; and western robins, 5.
The Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet; Biological Cross-section
Camp no. 5; see pl. 11, fig. 2).—This station, the highest made by
the party, was located on a rather broad, level meadow directly
north of Duffer Peak, and in the most extensive belt of limber
pines in the mountains. Snowbanks persisted here until late in
the summer.
On the north side of the meadow was a tract of quaking
aspens. The pine-covered face of the highest peak in the range
rose up to the south. The dominant tree of the high pass to
the east was the limber pine, associated there with stunted
mountain mahogany. To the north, in the direction of Alder
Creek Lake, lay one of the principal forested areas, which was
interrupted to some extent by slopes of a more open character
immediately north of the meadow, covered by chinquapin and
quaking aspen. On the west were other meadows.
The Duffer Peak meadow itself was open and grassy, a small
lake occupying its lowest portion. Veratrum californicum was
perhaps the commonest plant on the meadow (see pl. 11, fig. 2).
The pines themselves persisted to the peak, as did also Euta-
mias pictus and Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis.
Among the species of birds secured at the locality, purple
330 University of California Publications in Zoology. {Vou.7
finches, Audubon warblers, Clarke nutcrackers, white-crowned
sparrows, and western red-tails were numbered. The following
mammals were noted: Odocoileus hemionus, Callospermophilus
trepidus, Eutamias pictus, Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis,
Microtus mordar, Zapus princeps oregonus, Canis lestes, and
Myotis lucifugus longicrus. The latter was a species of mammal
noted at the Duffer Peak meadow only.
The limber pines and the presence of a number of species
usually ranging into zones above Transition gave to the locality
a distinctly Boreal complexion. As in the case of the head of
Big Creek, the predominant Transition facies was somewhat
diluted by the addition of certain Boreal elements. It seems
appropriate, therefore, to regard the locality as Transition with
a marked Boreal infusion.
Alder Creek Camps (5000-7000 feet; Biological Cross-section
Camps nos. 6 to 8).—The mountains grade off to the west more
gradually, locally at least, than they do to the east. As is the
case with certain other desert ranges, as well as with the Warner,
Sierra Nevada and other mountains of California, there is a
line of faulting along the eastern side, which accounts for the
greater steepness upon that slope.
The western slopes seem more rocky and are apparently made
of harder material, as the cafion-sides are steeper. There are
great masses of igneous rock. In the vicinity of Alder Creek
Ranch especially, much scattered pumice stone was noted.
While in general the flora as regards species was the same as
on the eastern side, it was noticeably more sparse, and the ridges
and flats of the western slope had even more of an arid and
baked appearance than those of the eastern.
Biological Cross-section Camp no. 6 (7000 feet).—In favor-
able situations along the stream, for the most part above this
altitude, quaking aspens formed rather dense groves. As a rule,
north-facing slopes, i.e., on the south side of the cafion, were
covered with a scattering, sometimes with a dense, growth of |
these trees. Clumps of willows occurred along the stream, and
on the arid, exposed ridges mountain mahoganies were fairly
common.
The vicinity of Camp no. 6 must apparently be referred to
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 331
high Transition. A few limber pines occurred below the level
of Alder Creek Lake (7800 feet), and occasionally the pene-
trating cries of Nucifraga columbiana sounded from the ridges.
About the lake itself a number of Boreal and Transition forms,
as Aphyllon fasciculatum, Pentstemon confertus caeruleo-pur-
pureus, Arnica chamissonis, and Pinus flexilis, were present.
White-crowned sparrows, olive-backed thrushes, Brewer spar-
rows, chipping sparrows and green-tailed towhees were common
at Camp no. 6, as were also Oregon ground squirrels.
Biological Cross-section Camp no. 7 (6000 feet; see pl. 12,
fig. 2).—As progress was made down the creek the flora grew
more limited. In the neighborhood of this camp there was no
thick vegetation away from the stream. That along the creek
was made up of quaking aspens and willows, with occasional
thick tangles of Rosa and other vines. Alders appeared for the
first time on this stream not far below this altitude, and were
found secatteringly down to Alder Creek Ranch.
Three species of mammals were taken here which make the
locality an extremely interesting one from a zonal standpoint,
namely, Neotoma cinerea occidentalis, Zapus princeps oregonus,
and Putorius cicognani. The olive-backed thrush, western war-
bling vireo, and green-tailed towhee were also noted. The ex-
posed ridges in the vicinity may be high Upper Sonoran, as
Sylvilagus nuttallt grangert was secured on one of them. On
the other hand the Oregon ground squirrel ranges down below
the large Alder Creek Meadow (6700 feet) even on exposed
ridges. So, if the ridges are Sonoran at all they should be
regarded as high Upper Sonoran. There is little doubt that
along the stream Transition extends down to and beyond this
point. This remarkable association of Boreal, Transition and
Upper Sonoran forms, found at several points in the mountains,
is strikingly illustrated by the fauna of this locality.
Biological Cross-section Camp no. 8 (5000 feet).—Willows,
with a few alders and aspens, made up most of the line of
vegetation along the creek in the vicinity of Alder Creek Ranch.
Treeless stretches were fairly common. The Artemisia associa-
tion of the open desert was more sparse and scattering here than
at any other point visited.
332 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 7
One fact of distribution may be of particular interest,
namely, the occurrence on Alder Creek not far above the ranch
of a Populus, tentatively identified by Professor H. M. Hall of
the University of California as P. balsamifera. The species was
represented by a clump of four trees only. The tree is northern
in distribution, the nearest locality from which it is reported by
Sudworth (1908, p. 244) being northern Oregon and Idaho.
May not a colony of these trees have been left here when the
cooler environment of the Glacial period retreated ?
Zonally Alder Creek Ranch (Camp no. 8) is referable to
Upper Sonoran. Ammospermophilus leucurus, Neotoma nevad-
ensis, Phrynosoma platyrhinos, Tyrannus verticalis, and Icterus
bullochi were all recorded here. That it is high Upper Sonoran
is shown by the fact that the green-tailed towhee occurs in the
neighborhood. The apparent absence from Alder Creek Ranch
of Citellus mollis, so abundant on the other side of the mountain,
and the scarcity on the Alder Creek side of Centrocercus uro-
phasianus, common on the Big Creek side, and so very numerous
on the Leonard Creek flats, attracted our attention. Possibly
these facts are accounted for, the first on the theory that Alder
Creek Ranch is higher in Upper Sonoran zone than is the Quinn
River Crossing district, and the second on the observed’ fact that
the sage-brush was very much more sparse on the Alder Creek
slopes than on Big or Leonard creeks.
Leonard Creek (6000 feet).—The flats and mesas drained by
Leonard Creek are by far the most extensive in the mountains.
The main ridge rises up to the west of the Leonard Creek basin,
furnishing several tributary streams, while toward the east
appear the Pine Forest foothills culminating in Sentinel Peak
(6800 feet), and presenting a very arid and barren appearance
indeed.
Except where interrupted by patches of dry meadow the flats
were covered with sagebrush, which was locally very luxuriant.
These dry meadows were apparently slightly more favorably
situated as regards moisture conditions than the rest of the flats;
the most conspicuous members of their flora were grasses and
Tris missouriensis.
Willows were the dominant trees along the stream. A few
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 333
alders were observed near the Leonard Creek Ranch. A short
distance above our camp, which was located at 6500 feet altitude,
patches of chinquapin were in evidence, and on certain nearby
ridges, at altitudes not much greater than that at which our camp
was located, mountain mahogany trees were found.
It is rather difficult to decide whether the Leonard Creek
flats should be regarded as Transition or Upper Sonoran. Ele-
ments of both were present. Neotoma cinerea occidentalis was
taken in a rocky outcrop at 6500 feet altitude. Perognathus
parvus olivaceus was quite common, and Microtus mordax, Odo-
cotleus hemionus, and Citellus oregonus were recorded. On the
other hand, Reithrodontomys megalotis deserts was fairly abun-
dant and cottontails and jackrabbits ranged commonly over the
flats. Among bird species noted, Spizella brewert, Oreoscoptes
montanus, and Centrocercus urophasianus were present in
greatest numbers. White-crowned sparrows, green-tailed tow-
hees, sage sparrows, and vesper sparrows were all noted. One
difficulty is apparent in attempting to use species of birds as
zone indicators at this time of year (August 1 to 8), namely
that many species were no longer nesting and were migrating
locally. This probably accounts for the presence at this locality
of the white-crowned and sage sparrows, both of which were in
all likelihood out of their breeding zone.
It may be said that in all probability the Leonard Creek flats
(altitude 6000 to 7000 feet) should be regarded as an area of
overlapping Transition and Upper Sonoran, with the emphasis
placed on the Transition. This zone certainly follows the stream
down nearly to Leonard Creek Ranch. The assemblage of forms
more typically Upper Sonoran at the ranch itself is sufficiently
predominant to warrant its reference to that zone.
THE LIFE ZONES OF THE PINE FOREST MOUNTAIN
REGION
(See map, plate 7)
The region here considered is doubtless fairly typical of the
Great Basin in northern Nevada, so that general conclusions as
regards life zones, with due regard for local modifying factors,
may be widely applicable to the northern Great Basin region.
334 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
The following species were doubtless breeding at Quinn River
Crossing and Big Creek Ranch. In many cases proof of sexual
activity was obtained. The chief evidence from this list would
indicate that these localities are both Upper Sonoran.
SPECIES PROBABLY BREEDING AT QUINN RIVER CROSSING OR BIG CREEK
RANCH, AND KNOWN TO BREED IN UPPER SONORAN ELSEWHERE
(ranging above in some cases)
Birds
Tyrannus tyrannus Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis
Aphelocoma woodhousei Melospiza melodia montana
Molothrus ater artemisiae Pipilo maculatus curtatus
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Passerina amoena
Agelaius phoeniceus (subsp. indet.) Vireosylva gilva swainsoni
Poewcetes gramineus confinis Dendroica aestiva brewsteri
Passerculus sandwichensis nevaden- Geothlypis trichas occidentalis
sis Icteria virens longicauda
Chondestes grammacus strigatus Oreoscoptes montanus
Spizella breweri Psaltriparus plumbeus
Mammals
Citellus mollis Dipodomys merriami nevadensis
Eutamias pictus Perognathus parvus olivaceus
Onychomys brevicaudus Perognathus nevadensis
Peromyscus crinitus Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri
Neotoma nevadensis Lepus ecalifornicus wallawalla
Thomomys nevadensis . Taxidea taxus
Reptiles
Crotaphytus collaris baileyi
The following species are known to breed commonly in Lower
Sonoran elsewhere, and occurred at the lower stations visited by
the expedition. Definite proof of the breeding of some of them
was obtained.
Species Known To BrEep In LowEeR SonorAN ELSEWHERE AND PROBABLY
BREEDING IN NoRTHERN NEVADA
Birds
Tyrannus verticalis Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis
Icterus bullocki Amphispiza bilineata deserticola
Mammals
Ammospermophilus leucurus Antrozous pallidus pallidus
Reithrodontomys megalotis deserti
Reptiles
Uta stansburiana Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Sceloporus biseriatus Cnemidophorus tigris
Crotaphytus wislizenii
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 335
SPECIES APPARENTLY Not RANGING ABOVE UPPER SONORAN IN THE NORTHERN
NEvADA REGION
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis
Chondestes grammacus strigatus
Amphispiza bilineata deserticola
Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis
Mammals
Citellus mollis
Ammospermophilus leucurus
Onychomys brevicaudus
Peromyscus crinitus (possibly
ranging into lower Transition)
Reithrodontomys megalotis deserti
(possibly ranging into lower
Transition)
Neotoma nevadensis
Thomomys nevadensis
Perodipus microps levipes
Dipodomys merriami nevadensis
Perognathus nevadensis
Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri
Lepus californicus wallawalla (per-
haps ranging into lower Tran-
sition)
Antrozous pallidus pallidus
Reptiles
Crotaphytus collaris baileyi
Crotaphytus wislizenii
Uta stansburiana
Seeloporus biseriatus
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Cnemidophorus tigris
Bascanion taeniatum
Pituophis catenifer deserticola
Crotalus, species uncertain
The following species were present and were probably breed-
ing in the mountains (Transition).
In certain cases definite
proof of sexual activity was obtained.
SPECIES KNOWN TO BREED ELSEWHERE IN TRANSITION OR ABOVE
Oreortyx picta plumifera
Selasphorus platycereus
Empidonax wrighti
Carpodacus cassini
Spinus pinus
Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys
Juneo hyemalis thurberi
Passerella iliaca schistacea-
Oreospiza enlorura
‘Tachycineta thalassina lepida
Vermivora celata orestera
Dendroica auduboni auduboni
Oporornis tolmiei
Cinelus mexicanus unicolor
Penthestes gambeli gambeli
Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni
Sialia currucoides
[
Bd
Mammals
Odocoileus hemionus
Citellus oregonus
Callospermophilus (various species)
Mierotus mordax
Microtus (Lagurus) (various
species)
Zapus princeps oregonus
Erethizon epixanthum ;
Putorius cicognani
Putorius arizonensis (possibly
breeds below Transition)
Sorex palustris navigator
Myotis lucifugus longicrus
Reptiles
Sceloporus graciosus
336 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
SPECIES APPARENTLY BREEDING BOTH IN UPPER SONORAN AND TRANSITION
IN THE NoRTHERN NEVADA REGION
Birds
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis
Myiochanes richardsoni richardsoni
Spizella passerina arizonae
Spizella breweri
Melospiza melodia montana
Pipilo maculatus curtatus (occurred
only in area of zonal overlap-
ping)
Passerina amoena
Dendroica aestiva brewsteri
Oreoscoptes montanus
Planesticus migratorius propinquus
Mammals
Eutamias pictus
Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis
. Perognathus parvus olivaceus
Erethizon epixanthum
Canis lestes
Reptiles
Sceloporus graciosus
Thamnophis vagrans
Species APPARENTLY LIMITED TO PURE TRANSITION IN THE NORTHERN
NEVADA REGION
Oreortyx picta plumifera
Selasphorus platycercus
Oreospiza chlorura (possibly rang-
ing into Upper Sonoran)
Cinelus mexicanus unicolor
Mammals
Citellus oregonus
Miecrotus intermedius
Nearly all the forms following proved to be breeding in the
Pine Forest Mountains.
Species KNOWN TO BREED ELSEWHERE IN CANADIAN
Carpodacus cassini
Spinus pinus
Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys
Junco hyemalis thurberi
Passerella iliaca schistacea
Vermivora celata orestera
Dendroica auduboni auduboni
Oporornis tolmiei
Penthestes gambeli gambeli
Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni
Planesticus migratorius propinquus
Sialia currucoides
Mammals
Odocoileus hemionus
Marmota flaviventer
Callospermophilus (various species)
Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis
Microtus moruax
Erethizon epixanthum
Canis lestes
Putorius cicognani
Putorius arizonensis
Sorex palustris navigator
Myotis lucifugus longicrus
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 337
SPECIES IN OTHER REGIONS APPARENTLY Most CoMMON IN CANADIAN OR
ABOVE DURING THE PERIOD OF REPRODUCTION
(Found locally in the Transition of the Pine Forest Mountains)
Birds
Nucifraga columbiana Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys
Spinus pinus Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni
Mammals
Marmota fiaviventer Putorius arizonensis (may be more
Microtus mordax (in some regions common in Transition)
oceurs in Transition also) Sorex palustris navigator
Putorius cicognani
The fgllowing birds occur commonly during the breeding
season above Canadian, and breed in the Pine Forest Mountains.
Species KNOWN TO BREED IN HUDSONIAN IN OTHER REGIONS
Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys
Nucifraga columbiana
The small collection of plants leads to much the same conclu-
sions that the faunal lists indicate. Only those species are here
listed which have been used by other authors as life zone indi-
cators.
PLANTS OccuRRING ELSEWHERE IN UPPER SONORAN AND FOUND aT QUINN
RIVER CROSSING AND BIG CREEK RaNncH (UPPER SONORAN)
Artemisia tridentata Tetradymia spinosa
Artemisia spinescens Grayia spinosa
Sarcobatus vermiculatus b
PLANTS OcCURRING ELSEWHERE IN TRANSITION AND FOUND ‘aT QUINN RIVER
CROSSING AND Bic CREEK RancH (UPPER SONORAN)
Poa buckleyana Artemisia tridentata
Vicia americana Alnus tenuifolia (along stream at
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus torti- Big Creek Ranch)
folius Achillaea millefolium lanulosa
Populus tremuloides (mouth of (along stream at Big Creek
cafion) Ranch)
Castilleia parvifolia (foothills)
PLANTS OCCURRING ELSEWHERE IN THE SONORAN ZONES AND FOUND IN THE
PINE Forest MountvaAINS
Cereocarpus ledifolius (found on Artemisia tridentata (found from
certain ridges from 7000 to 4100 to 9400 feet altitude)
8800 feet)
338 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
PLANTS ORDINARILY OCCURRING IN TRANSITION AND FOUND IN THE PINE
ForEst MOUNTAINS
(Cool, shaded situations in meadows or along streams, except as noted,
from 7500 to 8600 feet altitude)
Prunus demissa (found on favor-
ably exposed slopes at 8000
feet)
Aquilegia truncata
Ribes cereum (ordinarily occurring
elsewhere in upper Transition
and above)
Achillaea millefolium lanulosa
Aphyllon fasciculatum
Pentstemon confertus caeruleo-pur-
pureus
Cercocarpus ledifolius (on dry, ex-
posed ridges 7000 to 8800 feet)
Iris missouriensis (in meadows and
on dry, open hillsides)
Amelanchier alnifolia (found on
favorably exposed slopes at
8000 feet)
Arnica chamissonis
Aconitum columbianum
Sisymbrium canescens
Hypericum formosum
Artemisia tridentata (found from
4100 to 9400 feet altitude)
Ceanothus velutinus (on favorable
slopes)
Veratrum californicum (ordinarily
oceurring elsewhere in upper
Transition and above)
PLANTS ORDINARILY OCCURRING IN CANADIAN OR HUDSONIAN AND FouND IN
THE PINE Forest MouNtTAINS
(8000 feet and above)
Aquilegia truncata
Ribes' cereum
Arnica chamissonis
Iris missouriensis (from 7000 feet
up)
Aconitum columbianum
S‘symbrium canescens
Pinus flexilis
Allium validum
Ceanothus velutinus
Veratrum ealifornicum (in mead-
ows 7000 feet in altitude and
above)
DISCUSSION OF LIFE ZONES
The life zones represented in the region are Upper Sonoran
and Transition, with a touch of Boreal (see map, pl. 7).
The desert proper, comprising in this region the broad flats
of the Quinn River Valley and the neighboring deserts, is Upper
Sonoran. On favorable slopes tongues of this zone invade the
mountains to an altitude of 8000 feet at least, as is indicated by
the presence at that elevation of Reithrodontomys megalotis
desertt and Peromyscus crinitus.
The zone of widest extent in the mountains is the Transition.
The most conspicuous element of its flora on exposed flats and
treeless ridges was Artemisia tridentata. The most abundant
Ladvulaun.. bowers
159 Sapsucner 0-2. Reo
Cornell University
ithaca, New York 14850
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 339
Transition tree was Populus tremuloides. The occurrence of this
species and of Alnus tenutfolia along creeks to 4500 feet altitude,
and even in the case of Alnus below that, indicates the downward
extension of Transition. Certain species of mammals, ordinarily
characteristic of that zone, were found at comparatively low
altitudes. Callospermophilus trepidus and Microtus mordaax were
both found near Big Creek Ranch, the former on a nearby foot-
hill ridge at 5000 feet, and the latter along the creek at the ranch
proper. Neotoma cinerea occidentalis was secured at 6500 feet
altitude on both Alder and Leonard creeks, and Zapus princeps
oregonus at 6000 feet on Alder Creek.
In an earlier paper (Taylor, 1911, p. 226 and elsewhere in the
same paper) the presence of a zone above Transition was rather
questioned. A careful analysis of the vertebrate fauna and of
the flora leaves no doubt that while there is locally present a
Boreal assemblage of forms, still there is no definite tract of
pure Boreal. The species which are found elsewhere above
Transition and which are present in the Pine Forest Mountains
cannot be referred as a whole to either the Canadian or the
Hudsonian subdivision of the Boreal, as an inspection of the
foregoing lists will show. Such species have been grouped
together, and where they occur there is said to be a Boreal
infusion. These areas are very limited in extent. In general
the pine-covered areas, together with certain shaded cool strips
along the streams in the higher parts of the mountains, may be
regarded as tracts of such Boreal infusion into a predominating
Transition assemblage of species.
The small extent of the Pine Forest Mountains and their
comparative lack of elevation above the level of the plateau (see
C. H. Merriam, 1890, p. 27) are obstacles to the plotting of their
life zones. These factors decrease their humidity and give this
element, as compared with temperature, a disproportionate influ-
ence in determining the presence of particular species, and the
absence of others (see C. H. Merriam, 1890, p. 26, footnote).
This being the case, the life-zone concept here becomes difficult ,
of application, since boundaries of zones cannot be drawn with
the precision possible in many other regions.
340
Hm OF DO eR
CONANANRwWNHH
HH
a OS
OCANAIPwWN
DDO NMHHHH HHP Hee
NE SOMDNATARwWHHS
. Hyla regilla Baird and Girard
. Bufo boreas Baird and Girard
. Bufo lentiginosus woodhousei Girard
. Seaphiopus hammondi Baird
. Crotaphytus collaris baileyi Stejneger
. Crotaphytus wislizenii Baird and Girard
. Uta stansburiana Baird and Girard
. Baseanion taeniatum (Hallowell)
. Pituophis eatenifer deserticola Stejneger
. Thamnophis vagrans (Baird and Girard)
. Crotalus (species indet.)
. Larus delawarensis Ord.
. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmelin)
. Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus
. Nettion carolinense (Gmelin)
. Querquedula cyanoptera (Vieillot)
. Nycticorax nyticorax naevius (Boddaert)
. Porzana carolina (Linnaeus)
. Fulica americana Gmelin ........
. Thamnophis vagrans (Baird and Girard)
. Steganopus tricolor Vieillot
. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin
. Actitis macularius (Linnaeus)
. Oxyechus vociferus (Linnaeus)
. Oreortyx picta plumifera (Gould)
. Centrocereus urophasianus (Bonaparte)
. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linnaeus)
. Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied
. Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus)
. Accipiter velox (Wilson)
. Buteo borealis calurus Cassin
. Aquila chrysaétos (Linnaeus)
University of California Publications 1n Zoology.
CHECK-LISTS OF SPECIES RECORDED BY THE NEVADA
EXPEDITION
For list of mammals see Taylor (1911, p. 208).
AMPHIBIANS
REPTILES
Sceloporus graciosus Baird and Girard
Sceloporus biseriatus Hallowell
Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard
. Cnemidophorus tigris Baird and Girard ...........2.22.20...2---ee eee
Birps
Dafila acuta (Linnaeus)
[ VoL. 7
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada.
. Asio wilsonianus (Lesson)
. Bubo virginianus pallescens Stone(?)
. Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea (Bonaparte)
. Ceryle aleyon (Linnaeus) -...0....222......:sssscseseeseeeceeeceeeeeceeeereeeee
. Colaptes cafer collaris Vigors
. Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli (Audubon)
. Chordeiles virginianus hesperis Grinnell
. Aéronautes melanoleucus (Baird)
. Selasphorus platycereus (Swainson)
. Selasphorus rufus (Gmelin) (?)
. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus)
. Tyrannus verticalis Say
. Sayornis sayus (Bonaparte)
. Nuttallornis borealis (Swainson)
. Myiochanes richardsoni richardsoni (Swainson) .............-.-..--
. Empidonax trailli trailli (Audubon)
. Empidonax hammondi (Xantus)
. Empidonax wrighti Baird
. Otocoris alpestris merrilli Dwight
. Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine)
. Aphelocoma woodhousei (Baird)
. Corvus corax sinuatus Wagler
. Nucifraga columbiana (Wilson)
. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linnaeus)
. Molothrus ater artemisiae Grinnell
. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonaparte) .....0.2..22-..02---
. Agelaius phoeniceus (subspecies indet.)
. Sturnella neglecta Audubon
. Icterus bullocki (Swainson)
. Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler)
. Carpodacus cassini Baird
. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis (Say)
. Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus Oberholser ......................
. Spinus pinus (Wilson)
. Poecetes gramineus confinis Baird
. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus Bonaparte ..................--
. Passereulus sandwichensis nevadensis Grinnell -...................
. Chondestes grammacus strigatus Swainson
. Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys (J. R. Forster) ................
. Spizella passerina arizonae Coues =
. Spizella breweri Cassin
j. Junco oreganus thurberi Anthony
. Amphispiza bilineata deserticola Ridgway
. Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis (Ridgway) ..........2....-.+-.
39. Melospiza melodia montana Henshaw
. Passerella iliaca schistacea Baird ...
. Faleo mexicanus Schlegel a
. Faleo sparverius phalaena (Lesson) .............22::00c0ceee
342
a
7.
73.
74,
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84,
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92,
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
108.
University of California Publications in Zoology.
Pipilo maculatus curtatus Grinnell Bonne
[Vi
OL. 7
PAGE
401
402
Oreospiza chlorura (Audubon) ...........2..22-:000ee0
Zamelodia melanocephala (Swainson) ...........---::0----0--
Passerina amoena (Say)
Passer domesticus (Linnaeus) ................::-::cece
Piranga ludoviciana (Wilson) ~..........2.....:.ce:cececeeceteececeeeneeeeeeeee
Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons (Say)
Hirundo erythrogastra Boddaert ............22.1--21-----eceeeeetee
Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot) ...........2...2eeeeceeeeeee eee
Tachycineta thalassina lepida Mearns
Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Audubon)
Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides Swainson
Vireosylva gilva swainsoni (Baird)
Vermivora celata orestera Oberholser ......
Dendroica aestiva brewsteri Grinnell
Dendroica coronata hooveri McGregor
Dendroica auduboni auduboni (J. K. Townsend) ................-..--
Oporornis tolmiei (J. K. Townsend) .......
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewster
Iecteria virens longicauda Lawrence
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (Pallas)
Cinclus mexicanus unicolor Bonaparte
Oreoscoptes montanus (J. K. Townsend)
Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus (Say) ........2:.1-2:.--::2::sceseseeeeeeeees
Troglodytes aédon parkmani Audubon
Telmatodytes palustris plesius (Oberholser)
Sitta canadensis Linnaeus ‘ ey
Penthestes gambeli gambeli (Ridgway) .........222..:21022:2:::00c1-
Psaltriparus plumbeus (Baird)
Regulus calendula ecalendula (Linnaeus)
Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Tschudi)
Planesticus migratorius propinquus (Ridgway)
Sialia currucoides (Bechstein)
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE SPECIES
THE AMPHIBIANS
Hyla regilla Baird and Girard
Pacific Tree Frog
403
404
405
405
-- 405
406
407
407
407
407
408
409
409
411
411
412
412
413
413
413
413
416
417
417
418
418
419
419
420
420
421
Distribution—A number of specimens of this remarkable
little tree frog (see Test, 1899, p. 477) were secured in the moun-
tains. With the exception of one, which was found at an altitude
of 6000 feet on Alder Creek, our series of six individuals was
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 343
taken either in or near a small lake (altitude 8400 fect) near
Duffer Peak.
The present record is the first known to the writer from
northern Nevada. The area in which the Pacific tree frog occurs
in greatest numbers is the Pacific. Slope west of the Sierra Nevada
(Test, 1899, p. 480). The Government Death Valley Expedi-
tion (Stejneger, 1893, p. 222) recorded it in some numbers from
southern Nevada, and Test (1899, p. 490) in listing the speci-
mens in the National Museum mentions one example from Ogden.
Utah. This author comments on the distribution of the species
and calls attention to the fact that it is semi-isolated in the
southern Great .Basin mountain ranges; and further, that the
manner of its spreading from place to place has not been ex-
plained satisfactorily. He suggests (p. 481) that the present
distribution of Hyla regilla may be accounted for through the
great inland lakes formerly existing in Panamint and Death
valleys, the species following the borders of the lakes and up
the streams flowing into them, and being left stranded where now
found. A similar suggestion may be offered for the presence of
the tree frog on the semi-isolated Pine Forest Mountains. The
waters of the irregular and extensive Pleistocene Lake Lahontan
bathed the lowermost slopes both of the Pine Forest Mountains
and of the Sierra Nevada, thus furnishing a continuous water-
front across all the territory intermediate between portions of
the range of Hyla regilla which are now discontinuous (namely,
the Sierra Nevada and Pine Forest Mountains).
Habits——The individual taken on Alder Creek was caught in
a mouse trap set ten feet from the stream. Although they prob-
ably never get very far from water, they evidently wander about
to a certain extent. Tadpoles and young tree frogs in various
stages of development were noted July 31 in the lake on Duffer
Peak Meadow.
Bufo boreas Baird and Girard
Mountain Toad
Distribution —The twelve examples of the mountain toad
secured were all taken in the higher parts of the mountains as
follows: Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet), 5; head of Alder
344 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Creek (7800 feet), 1; head of Leonard Creek (8500 feet), 4; and
head of Big Creek (8000 feet), 2. The species was fairly common
in suitable environments at altitudes of 8000 feet or over.
This toad may be found to approach or be referable to Bufo
boreas nelsoni (Stejneger, 1893, p. 220), the type locality of
which is Oasis Valley, Nevada. In the Pine Forest Range the
species is completely isolated geographically and so might be
expected to exhibit variation from typical boreas.
Habits.—These little toads were not infrequently noted on
mountain meadows. Two individuals, probably a pair, were
found in an iris patch on a meadow at the head of Leonard
Creek. Two others were taken in short meadow grass between
some rocks at the margin of the same meadow. Near Duffer Peak
an individual was secured on the shore of a small lake, and on a
nearby meadow one was observed hopping along on the dry
ground among some green leafy plants a yard distant from a
spring. One was found near a high mountain lake in a steer
hoof-print which was filled with water, another being secured in
the lake itself.
Bufo lentiginosus woodhousei Girard
Rocky Mountain Toad
DistributionTaken at three points touched by the expedi-
tion: Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), 13 specimens; Big Creek
Ranch (4350 feet), 9; and Leonard Creek (4800 feet), 1. As
would be implied by these figures, Bufo lentiginosus woodhousei
was the common toad of the flat, but did not range into the
mountains even along thz streams. A single individual was
observed near the stream at Alder Creek Ranch.
I have seen no record of the species from northern Nevada.
Dr. C. Hart Merriam has recorded it (in Stejneger, 1893, p. 221)
from several localities in the southern part of the state.
Habits——Toads were numerous along the streams at Big Creek
Ranch. Five were caught in one day. One strove to escape by
swimming to the bottom of the stream and remaining there
quietly for several minutes. As a rule, however, when the toads
are pursued, they leave the water and try to escape by rapid
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 345
hopping. Upon being captured they often object with mono-
syllabic croaks, and if held in the hand never fail to emit a
quantity of fluid from the cloaca.
In every case in which the toads are killed by the use of
chloroform it is found that the poisonous white secretion is
exuded from the glands of the skin, and stands out all over the
animal in the form of small drops.
Toads were caught in tall grass and soft mud near Wheeler
Creek (Quinn River Crossing), in a ditch at Leonard Creek
Ranch, and both in and near the stream at Big Creek Ranch.
None were seen more than fifteen feet from running water.
On June 9 a pair were observed copulating in the stream at
Big Creek. Tadpoles, supposedly of this species, were observed
in large numbers at Quinn River Crossing on May 24, and were
seen also at Leonard Creek Ranch on August 7.
Scaphiopus hammondi Baird
Western Spadefoot
Distribution.—Three specimens taken, two at Quinn River
Crossing (4100 feet), and one at Big Creek Ranch (4850 feet).
The species has previously been recorded from scattered locali-
ties in the Great Basin; for example, Olancha and Owens Lake,
California; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Walla Walla, Wash-
ington; and Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Consequently its discovery
in the northern part of the state was to be expected.
Habits Without doubt the spadefoot would have eluded our
utmost vigilance had we not been at work during its breeding
season.
The first specimen (no. 1568) was taken on May 30. It was
slowly walking and hopping over damp ground near thick swamp
grass. On June 4 a second Scaphiopus (no. 1567) was secured.
Attention was attracted to it by a rustling sound as it moved
through a tussock of wild hay in a meadow. The last specimen
(no. 1566) was caught June 21 in a mouse trap set in grass
beneath willows near a stream at Big Creek Ranch.
A large number of young Salientia which were assumed to
belong to this species were collected on June 7 in the shallow
water of a marshy meadow at Quinn River Crossing. They were
346 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
in various stages of development, and the resemblance of the
oldest to Scaphiopus, together with the probability that the
spadefoot was breeding there and at that time, makes a strong
circumstantial case for their being referable to it.
THE REPTILES
Crotaphytus collaris baileyi Stejneger
Bailey Lizard
Distribution.—The eleven specimens of this form were all
taken near Big Creek Ranch, at altitudes ranging from 4800 feet
to 5400 feet.
The species is reported from a number of localities in Nevada
and the northern Great Basin (see Van Denburgh, 1897, p. 56).
The present furnishes the first definite record for northern
Nevada. The localized range of the species in this locality indi-
cates that its distribution over the Great Basin is discontinuous.
Habits—We looked in vain for this lizard on the open desert
and on certain of the lower slopes of the mountains. All but one
were secured on top of a steep-sided, rocky ridge (altitude 5000
feet) near Big Creek Ranch. The exception was collected in Big
Creek Cafion just below the Dugout Camp (4800 feet) and at
the base of the steep-sided ridge just mentioned.
One was apparently resting in a groove on one of the stones.
We saw none on very large boulders. Crotaphytus c. baileyi does
not seem to be as adept at clinging to rocks in any position as is
Sceloporus biseriatus. The movements of Crotaphytus c. baileyi
resemble those of C. wislizenit.
Some of the individuals taken were probably paired; at any
rate, their being secured close together might so indicate.
The Bailey lizard is a nimble animal, jumping short distances
from rock to rock. Frequently individuals allowed of very close
approach, remaining perfectly quiet (see Ruthven, 1907, p. 513),
but at other times they retreated with great rapidity.
The example taken in Big Creek Cafion was just shedding its
epidermis, fragments of the old skin being still adherent.
Crotaphytus wislizenii Baird and Girard
Leopard Lizard
Distribution.—Recorded from the following localities: Amos
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 347
(4400 feet), 4; Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet); 10; Big Creek
Ranch and vicinity (4350 feet), 31; Alder Creek (5000 feet), 1;
Leonard Creek (4700 to 5000 feet), 6; Thousand Creek Flat
(5000 feet), 4.
One of the commonest of the reptiles of the desert. As will
have been observed, we did not discover it at such great altitudes
as are recorded by C. Hart Merriam (in Stejneger, 1893, pp.
167-168). In our experience, C. wislizenit does not ordinarily
range so high as Cnemidophorus tigris, which we found at an
altitude of 5000 feet on certain ridges near Big Creek Ranch.
On these ridges wislizenit was replaced by baileyi. This is a
seeming deviation from the range relations of the two species of
Crotaphytus given by Ruthven (1907, p. 518), according to
whom the distribution of Crotaphytus wislizenit corresponds
closely to that of C. c. baileyz. Locally in the Pine Forest
Mountain region, as has been shown, the ranges of the two did
not overlap, baileyt being practically limited to a single rocky
ridge, and wislizenii to the desert flat and a short distance up
certain cafions. Ruthven did not find the leopard lizard in
Upper Sonoran, whereas all our localities belong to that life zone.
Leopard lizards were found in washes and on lesser ridges
of the open desert, under various species of desert plants. As
was the case with other species of reptiles, Crotaphytus wislizenit
was much more common at Big Creek Ranch, that is, along the
eastern foothills of the mountains, than at any other locality
visited.
Habits—We found these lizards comparatively easy to noose.
When really surprised they exhibit tremendous speed, never
stopping until they reach come convenient bush, into the shelter
of which they crawl and remain quiet. One individual, on being
pursued, escaped by running into a burrow.
One shot in the top of a low thorny bush on the mesa near
Quinn River Crossing contained the partly digested remains of a
Sceloporus graciosus.
When handled the animals make a hissing sound and vigor-
ously attempt to bite. One uttered a low moaning sound. While
at rest they keep the head raised from the ground and watch the
intruder, but when in motion lower it. One was seen running
348 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
into a bush after a cicada, which it apparently failed to secure
Next it crawled slowly along, occasionally protruding its tongue.
When a fly buzzed about the bush and alighted on the ground
some two and a half feet away it raised its head and started a
little as if it recognized the sound. Then it crawled slowly up
toward the fly and as the insect left the ground the lizard jumped
four inches into the air after it. In executing this leap all four
feet necessarily left the ground. Once the lizard crouched down
on a gray sage-leaf background with which the color of its body
blended perfectly.
Numbers of the females exhibited the red coloration charac-
teristic of some examples during the breeding season. The first
specimen showing this character was secured June 8, between
Quinn River Crossing and Big’ Creek Ranch.
Uta stansburiana Baird and Girard
Brown-shouldered Lizard
Distribution.—Collected in greater numbers at Virgin Valley
than at any other locality visited. Specimens were secured as
follows: Virgin Valley (5000 feet), 12; Big Creek Ranch (4350
to 5000 feet), 10; Alder Creek Ranch (5000 feet), 2; Quinn
River Crossing (4100 feet), 1. Seen at Amos (4400 feet).
The type locality of the brown-shouldered lizard is the
‘Valley of the Great Salt Lake, Utah.’’ It has been recorded
from localities north and east of the Pine Forest Mountains,
but I can find no record of its occurrence in the Mount Shasta
and Warner Mountain regions of California, which lie to the
westward. No specimens of Uta were obtained by the Warner
Mountain Expedition of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology in
1910. Possibly the species does not range far west of the Pine
Forest Mountains.
As is the case with many of our reptiles, Uta stansburiana
was very much more common along the mountains than on the
open desert.
Habits—Uta stansburiana is characteristically a ground-
loving species, as noted by Van Denburgh (1897, p. 58), though
occasional individuals were noted either on boulders or in rocky
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 349
situations. They are active and extremely shy. When once
startled Uta generally keeps running until it has reached a hiding
place, unlike certain other lizards, as Sceloporus or Crotaphytus,
which nearly always stop after running some distance, appar-
ently to see whether or not the intruder is still at hand.
On June 20 a female containing three eggs with heavy shells
was secured.
Sceloporus graciosus Baird and Girard
Mountain Lizard
Distribution.—The widespread occurrence of this lizard is
best indicated by the following list of localities and specimens:
Winnemucca (4300 feet), 1; Virgin Valley (5000 feet), 2; Quinn
River Crossing (4100 feet), 23; Alder Creek Cafion (6000 feet),
3; mouth Alder Creek (5000 feet), 1; Big Creek Ranch (4350
feet), 3; Big Creek Cafion (4800 to 6000 feet), 6; Leonard Creek
(5000 to 6500 feet), 3. The species was observed also at Amos
and at Leonard Creek Ranch.
We found the mountain lizard in Upper Sonoran and Lower
Transition zones together with those species of birds and mam-
mals which C. H. Merriam (in Stejneger, 1893, p. 184) mentions
as being characteristically associated with it.
The different habitats (in northern Nevada) of the two
species of Sceloporus taken by us may be understood from the
following table:
Sceloporus graciosus Sceloporus biseriatus
1. Typically ground-loving. 1. Typically rock-loving.
2, Numerous on flats of open 2. None found on flats of open
desert. desert.
8. None found on rocks of lower 3. Found abundantly on rocks of
slopes of foothills. Rarer as lower slopes of foothills. More
mountains were approached. numerous as mountains were
approached.
4. A few found on the broad arid 4. Not taken above 5000 feet alti-
mountain valleys of Big and tude, so not so typically a
Leonard creeks at 6500 feet mountain-dwelling species.
altitude, so more typically a
mountain-dwelling species.
It should be remarked that while S. biseriatus was not taken
350 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL.7
on the flats of the open desert, three specimens were secured on
a rocky butte north of Quinn River Crossing.
The above table shows 8S. graciosus to possess the wider alti-
tudinal range, 8. biseriatus being, for the most part, confined to
a narrow strip along the lower slopes of the foothills.
At Quinn River Crossing several specimens of 8. graciosus
were taken in mouse traps.
Those stretches of desert seem to be preferred where sage-
brush (Artemisia tridentata) grows very thickly, although moun-
tain lizards are occasionally to be found on more open sandy
washes.
Habits—They were rather commonly observed climbing
about among the branches of the sage. When pursued they often
attempted to escape in this way. Ordinarily, when surprised,
they moved with great rapidity to the shelter of a bush, on the
ground under which they remained motionless, until the collector
came into the near vicinity. Then they retreated into the thicker
brush or disappeared into some convenient burrow. Although
in the open the lizards were very shy, when they were in the
shelter of the brush one could approach them closely.
Two females containing eggs were taken at Quinn River
Crossing May 21, one at Big Creek Ranch June 18, and another
at 4800 feet on Big Creek June 25.
Crotaphytus wislizenit is doubtless one of their chief enemies.
One of the leopard lizards taken contained the partly digested
remains of a Sceloporus graciosus.
Sceloporus biseriatus Hallowell
Rock Lizard
Distribution— Quite common at Big Creek Ranch, but rare
at Quinn River Crossing. To enumerate stations at which spec-
imens were collected: Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), 3;
Virgin Valley (5000 feet), 2; Limestones (near Dike colony,
south of Big Creek Ranch), Pine Forest Mountains, 1; Big Creek
Ranch (4350 feet), 38.
Van Denburgh (1897, p. 83) calls attention to the fact that
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 351
this lizard is common in Idaho, and observes that it probably
occurs the whole length of the Great Basin.
The relative abundance of rock lizards at Big Creek Ranch
is easily accounted for by the presence of rocky ridges. The
buttes at Quinn River Crossing upon which three specimens were
captured rise up only slightly above the level of the plain. At
Big Creek Ranch a Sceloporus of this species was caught in a
mouse trap set in one of the ranch buildings. We found rock
lizards invading the mountains to a height of a little more than
5000 feet. They apparently do not range so high in northern
as in southern Nevada (see Stejneger, 1893, p. 184).
Habits——The vast majority of the individuals observed were
seen on rocks and boulders at an average altitude of about 4600
feet. Rock lizards at times apparently take advantage of rocks
upon which excrement of birds is found. The fecal matter
attracts flies and gnats which may serve as food to the lizards.
A great many of the specimens captured had lost parts of
their tails and presented caudal stubs in various stages of regen-
eration.
Several females secured June 11 contained developing eggs.
The coloration of these lizards blended remarkably with that
of the rocks upon which they were found, and made them ex-
ceedingly hard to discern except when they were in motion.
Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard
Desert Horned Lizard
Distribution.—Most of the specimens taken were secured in
the vicinity of Big Creek Ranch, that is, about the foothills of
the Pine Forest Mountains, and on the nearby desert. Twenty-
five specimens were preserved at this locality. Others were taken
as follows: Quinn River Crossing, 3; Leonard Creek, 4; Thou-
sand Creek Basin, 5; Amos, 1; Alder Creek, 1.
As is shown by the large proportion of horned lizards from
Big Creek Ranch, the species was more numerous near the foot-
hills than away from them on the open desert. They ranged
fairly commonly to 5000 feet altitude, both in the cafion and on
ridges of the foothills.
352 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Our records are the first for the northern part of Nevada
known to me. Van Denburgh (1897, p. 99) states that platy-
rhinos crosses Nevada and ranges into Utah, and lists a series of
localities in the southern part of the state, Pyramid Lake being
the most northerly one mentioned. It is said to inhabit Idaho,
also, so one would expect to find it in northern Nevada.
Habits——Sand was adherent to the back of one horned lizard
secured, as if it had recently been covered. Another individual
was found in a hole with only its head protruding. All ap-
pearances lead to the conclusion that the animal had made the
hole, or had at least remodeled it, for earth had recently been
thrown out and tracks of the horned lizard were seen in the
entrance. The animals were found on sandy, on loamy, and on
sun-baked hard soil. One horned lizard, upon being picked up,
opened its mouth and made a hissing sound.
Of three individuals taken July 3 on Big Creek, two were
shedding their epidermis.
A pair of horned lizards were observed copulating on June 10.
On June 14 a female containing ten eggs was taken.
Cnemidophorus tigris Baird and Girard
Desert Whip-tailed Lizard
Distribution.—The thirty-six specimens of this lizard in the
collection of the expedition came from the vicinity of Big Creek
Ranch (4350 feet). We looked in vain for the species on the
open desert in the vicinity of Quinn River Crossing. Evidently
a strip of land immediately adjoining the foothills is either the
only place inhabited by it, or at least is much preferred. It is
rather peculiar that whip-tailed lizards were not recorded from
Alder Creek Ranch on the west side of the mountains. A
number of facts of distribution, of which this is one, show that
Alder Creek Ranch differs environmentally to an appreciable
degree from Big Creek Ranch.
The latter locality is Upper Sonoran zone (see C. Hart Mer-
riam, in Stejneger, 1893, p. 199), in some respects approaching
Lower Transition.
The most northerly part of Nevada from which I have found
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 353
this lizard recorded is the vicinity of Reno. It ranges (Van
Denburgh, 1897, p. 186) into southern Idaho and western Utah,
however, so would be expected to occur generally in the northern
part of the Great Basin.
Habits——The desert whip-tailed lizard was found alike on
the sides of dry washes and on the open flat desert in the vicinity
of the foothills. It ranged in small numbers to an altitude of
5000 feet on the low ridges, and a short distance up Big Creek
Cafion. A single specimen was taken in the vicinity of the forks
of Big Creek (5700 feet).
If surprised, Cnemidophorus runs with great speed, holding
its long tail erect in air something in the manner of Callisaurus
ventralis. When at ease it progresses more slowly, dragging
itself along on its belly and waddling from side to side. This
has been described (J. and H. W. Grinnell, 1907, p. 35) as being
a peculiar slinking, hesitating gait. They run a short distance
very swiftly, then creep along in a jerky fashion, bobbing the
head up and down. When at some distance from the intruder
they remain motionless, eyeing him.
Sometimes as many as twenty individuals were seen in the
course of a morning’s hunt.
Their long narrow bodies and extremely agile movements
combine to make noosing them (see J. and H. W. Grinnell, 1907,
p. 7) almost an impossibility.
They were seen in copulation on June 10, and pairs were
commonly seen after this date. On June 21 one was seen pur-
suing another, but whether this was for purposes of play or was
an exhibition of sexual instinct is not known.
Bascanion taeniatum (Hallowell)
Striped Racer
Distribution—Four specimens of this widely distributed
form (see Stejneger, 1893, p. 210) secured, localities being as
follows: Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), 2 (taken on the
open desert several miles from any mountains) ; Big Creek (5000
feet), 1; and Leonard Creek (4700 feet), 1.
The species has been recorded from Antelope Springs and
354 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
Carson City, Nevada, from Bliss and the Snake River in Idaho,
and from Shasta, Inyo, and Kern counties in California. The
present are definite records from a point near the center of the
range implied by these localities.
Habits——While these snakes do not move as rapidly as the
red racers, they are by no means sluggish.
Both of those captured at Quinn River Crossing attempted
to escape by climbing through a large sagebush. When secured
they fought vigorously, coiling themselves about the limbs of the
bushes and resisting capture to the utmost.
The specimens taken on Big and Leonard creeks were both
seen as they were crossing the mountain road. The one on Big
Creek, after traveling rapidly off the roadway, observing that
it was not pursued, stopped momentarily under a sagebush.
On Leonard Creek the racer was taken on a hot dry mesa, a
hundred yards or more from the nearest water.
Pituophis catenifer deserticola Stejneger
Desert Gopher Snake
A fragment of a gopher snake was picked up on May 11 near
the Western Pacific tracks at Winnemucca. Two perfect speci-
mens were later secured, both in Big Creek Cafion, one at an
altitude of 5400 feet, and the other at 6000 feet.
The gopher snake doubtless occurs generally in small numbers
over the deserts of northern Nevada and to some extent on the
broad flats in the mountains.
The first specimen was taken in sagebrush on the ground not
far from the creek near the Dugout Camp, Big Creek Cafion.
Thamnophis vagrans (Baird & Girard)
Wandering Garter Snake
Distribution.—The commonest snake in the region, both on
the desert and in the mountains. Specimens were recorded as
follows: Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), 5; Alder Creek
Lake (7800 feet), 3; Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet), 1; Leon-
ard Creek Ranch (4300 feet), 1; Leonard Creek Flat (6000 feet),
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 355
1; Virgin Valley (5000 feet), 1; Thousand Creek Flat (5000
feet), 1.
Habits —Garter snakes were fairly common in the grassy
marshes along the Quinn River. When pursued they moved
with a fair degree of rapidity and generally took refuge in the
water of some irrigating ditch, or in a pool of the main river
itself. Upon being roughly handled the snakes would often
disgorge a number of pollywogs.
When picked up they do not ordinarily attempt to bite, but
have a fairly effective protection in their habit of giving off
‘‘a strong and offensive odor if handled’’ (Ditmars, 1907, p. 236)
and of voiding excrement.
A female garter snake, secured July 31 on the Duffer Peak
Meadow, altitude 8400 feet, contained eggs near the hatching
point. Probably the young are born earlier on the open desert
than at this altitude. At this date there were still patches of
snow in the woods.
One morning early in July as we were walking through the
sagebrush at the head of Big Creek (altitude 8000 feet) our
attention was attracted by the excited ‘‘chips’’ of a pair of white-
crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys). The
cause for this excitement proved to be a garter snake which was
crawling over their nest. Evidently it was after the young
birds, but it did not appear to have captured any, as they were
by this time old enough to escape.
Crotalus (species indet.)
Rattlesnake
Distribution.—Ten rattlers were secured, being distributed by
locality as follows: Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), 1; Big
Creek Ranch (4350 feet), 1; Big Creek Cafion (5000 feet), 1;
Granite Creek (4300 feet), 1; Leonard Creek Ranch (4300 feet),
2; Virgin Valley (5000 feet), 4.
Although Crotalus lucifer (Stejneger, 1893, p. 448) has been
recorded from Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River, and from
various localities farther east in Nevada, as well as from Utah,
Idaho, and Oregon, I can by no means be sure that our examples
are referable to it. They differ markedly from specimens of
356 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
lucifer in the Museum collection from the San Jacinto and San
Bernardino mountains of southern California, and the task of
finally determining their status must be reserved for some spec-
jalist of the future.
Habits—Shortly after we started from Quinn River Cross-
ing, June 8, our attention was attracted by the buzz of a rattle-
snake beside the road. It resisted capture to the utmost, fighting
desperately. In this respect it was different from several others
secured later, which were very sluggish and could only with
difficulty be induced to rattle.
While we were encamped at Big Creek Ranch a small rattler
was brought in from Granite Creek, six miles north of Big Creek.
On July 20 a Crotalus was killed in the garden at the Dugout
Camp, 5000 feet altitude, in Big Creek Cafion.
A pair of snakes were taken at Leonard Creek Ranch. The
two were lying very close together in some tall weeds, and had
probably been copulating, as the male had one hemipenis pro-
truded. These snakes rattled little and were particularly slug-
gish of movement. ;
The scarcity of rattlesnakes was to us surprising. Residents
of the region testified to their greater abundance in former years.
THE BIRDS
Larus delawarensis Ord.
Ring-billed Gull
The only species of gull observed. On the first day of June
an individual was noted fleeing down the Quinn River before
the attacks of a belligerent avocet. No specimens were preserved.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmelin)
Black Tern
Two black terns were observed on May 19 at Quinn River
Crossing flying erratically and excitedly back and forth over the
marsh. Possibly the species was breeding in this locality. No
specimens were preserved.
1912] = =Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 357
Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus
Mallard
Small companies of mallards were twice seen the last of May
at Quinn River Crossing, and an individual was noted June 15
at Big Creek Ranch. One specimen (no. 9190) was secured.
Nettion carolinense (Gmelin)
Green-winged Teal
A male green-winged teal was shot on the Quinn River June
3. ‘The next day a female of the same species was flushed from
a nest, which was located in a depression on moist ground, and
surrounded by the tall grasses of the marsh. The nest was com-
posed of willow twigs and grass stems so loosely felted together
that the structure could not be picked up intact. The cavity
measured 127 mm. (5 inches) in diameter and 70 mm. (234
inches) deep. Four eggs were found in the nest, and one other
on the ground at a distance of seven inches from it, probably
having been carried there by the flushing bird. Strangely
enough, no down feathers were noted anywhere in the vicinity.
Two specimens of green-wing teal (nos. 9104, 9105) were
preserved.
Querquedula cyanoptera (Vieillot)
Cinnamon Teal
A single bird (no. 9106) was shot on a pool of the Quinn
River on June 4.
Dafila acuta (Linnaeus)
Pintail
One pintail was noted flying over a marsh near Quinn River
on May 31. The next day a flock of three was observed. No
specimens were obtained.
Nycticorax nycticorax naevius (Boddaert)
Black-crowned Night Heron
One flushed from a bend in the Humboldt River near Winne-
mucea on May 11. No specimens were preserved.
358 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Porzana carolina (Linnaeus)
Sora Rail
On May 22 one was flushed from a nest near Quinn River
and flew heavily away to another part of the marsh. Built in
an open bunch of marsh grass, the nest touched the water so
that the bottom of it was damp. Marsh grass was its principal
structural constituent, some of the stems being still green. The
fragments incorporated into the lining were smaller than those
in the main body of the nest. The whole structure was securely
interwoven among grass-stalks which partly supported it. It
was overshadowed and effectively concealed by a frail canopy
of broken-down stems. The diameter of the cavity was 89 mm.
(314 inches), its depth 30 mm. (1%¢ inches). Ten eggs lay close
together in it.
Fulica americana Gmelin
American Coot
On May 12 a single one was seen wading in the shallow water
of the Humboldt River near Winnemucca. No specimens of
this species were secured.
Lobipes lobatus (Linnaeus)
Northern Phalarope
A large flock was observed in a lagoon near Quinn River
Crossing on May 19. The birds were resting on the surface of
the water like ducks, and were surprisingly tame and unsus-
picious. Upon the approach of the collector they drew closer
together, forming a dense flock. At the discharge of the gun
the birds flushed, uttering sandpiper-like notes as they flew.
Several were wounded and others gathered around and alighted
near them.
Four individuals were seen ten days later (May 29) wading
about in a shallow lagoon, apparently looking for food.
So far as known to the writer there are no records of the
northern phalarope for the vast extent of the Great Basin, the
nearest on the east being from Colorado, and on the west from
California. Furthermore, May 19 and 29 are exceptionally late
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 359
dates of occurrence of this migratory species anywhere at the
latitude of Quinn River Crossing.
Four individuals (nos. 9107-9110) were preserved.
Steganopus tricolor Vieillot
Wilson Phalarope
Noted at Quinn River Crossing and Hot Springs, Thousand
Creek Valley. The first individuals were observed on May 20,
when eight were seen circling over a marshy meadow near the
Quinn River. They were giving utterance to a peculiar nuptial
(?) eall-note, which may be transcribed as ‘‘oit! oit! oit!’’ pos-
sessing a nasal quality difficult to imitate, but somewhat resem-
bling the croak of a toad (Bufo lentiginosus) during the breeding
season. At the instant of utterance of the note the bird which
is calling raises its head somewhat, pauses momentarily in its
flight, and its throat bulges slightly. The females, which of
course are in this species much the larger and more brilliantly
colored of the two sexes, evidently uttered most of the call-notes.
From this time on Wilson phalaropes were seen daily on the
marshes along the river, it being a common occurrence to flush
several individuals from some shallow still-water lagoon.
From observation of their actions we were led to believe that
they were nesting some time before we had other evidence on the
subject. One bird when flushed feigned lameness, and the pha-
laropes usually circled about the collector in small companies of
two or three, seemingly excited over his presence.
On May 31 a male was flushed from a nest in the marsh.
The bird flew a short distance and then seemed to fall wounded
into the grass. Upon following it, the same decoying pretense
was repeated several times. The nest contained two eggs, so was
left on the suspicion that the set was not complete. By June 2
another egg had been laid. There had been little attempt at
construction of the nest, which was located on a small island of
moist ground and surrounded by short marsh grass. Careful
examination showed that the dead grass stems had been collected
in some way, either by scraping them up or fetching them in.
The eggs rested in a slight depression in the accumulated mate-
rial at a height of 19 mm. (%4 inch) above the ground. The size
360 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
of the open space in the marsh grass occupied by the nest was
o7 mm. (214 inches) by 76 mm. (3 inches). The whole structure
was damp.
At Thousand Creek a phalarope was observed carrying a
worm in its beak. At the same location, on another occasion,
the birds followed and swooped at persons crossing the meadows.
It is altogether likely that they were breeding in this locality
as well as at Quinn River Crossing. In all, twelve individuals
were secured (nos. 9111-9119, 9303-9305).
Recurvirostra americana Gmelin
Avocet
Distribution.—Seen at Quinn River Crossing, Virgin Valley,
and along Thousand Creek.
Habits—The birds were undoubtedly nesting along the Gin
River. Whenever the hunter invaded the precincts of the moist
wild-hay meadows two to seven avocets appeared and betrayed
the greatest excitement. They circled about him, uttering wild
cries somewhat resembling ‘‘clai! clai! clai!’’ and voiding exere-
ment at intervals.
The same ‘‘bobbing’’ or ‘‘bowing’’ trait observable in so
many waders was very evident in the avocets. One was noted
sitting on the water of a lagoon tributary to the Quinn River.
The bird in a truly ludicrous manner jerked its head up and
down, abruptly thrusting it under water at intervals.
Difficulty of approach varied with the individual. Some
birds were exceedingly shy, while others were not so much so.
Avocets evidently share with most other birds a dislike of
owls. Three were seen pursuing a Speotyto over a wild-hay
meadow.
Two specimens (nos. 9103, 9318) were preserved.
Actitis macularius (Linnaeus)
Spotted Sandpiper
On May 11 one was noted on the Humboldt River near Win-
nemucca. Later at Quinn River Crossing single birds and flocks
of as many as four individuals were frequently noted on the
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 361
banks of the stream. They were very tame, and would usually
allow of a near approach before flushing.
A single specimen was taken at Thousand Creek flats.
Ridgway’s observation (1877, p. 610) that the spotted sand-
piper is probably, next to the killdeer, the most numerous wader
in the Great Basin region is not borne out by our later expe-
rience. In the vicinity of Quinn River Crossing the Wilson
phalarope must be accorded this distinction.
Specimens preserved, three (nos. 9080, 9081, 9302).
Oxyechus vociferus (Linnaeus)
Killdeer
Distribution.—Occurred generally in the neighborhood of
streams and ponds. The highest point at which it was noted
was the meadow on Big Creek (7000 feet). It was noted in
Virgin Valley and on Table Mountain as well as in the Quinn
River region.
Habits.—The birds are found not only on the marshes and
on contiguous moist ground, but often also on high and dry
ground somewhere in the neighborhood of streams.
A male juvenal (no. 9102) was secured at Camp no. 3, on
the meadow on Big Creek (7000 feet). The specimen exhibits
the juvenal plumage. There is little doubt that the species breeds
in the region.
Oreortyx picta plumifera (Gould)
Plumed Quail
One of the rare birds of the mountains, occurring only above
5000 feet altitude. A female was flushed in the sagebrush of a
cafion near Big Creek Ranch. A male was seen not far below
the head of Big Creek (8000 feet), and a single individual was
heard at 6000 feet altitude on Alder Creek. <A large family,
including about a dozen juvenals, was surprised July 20, on the
meadow on Big Creek (7000 feet), where they had probably been
drinking at a spring. The chicks were highly adept at hiding.
No specimens secured.
362 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonaparte)
Sage Hen
Distribution.—Observed commonly the last of June and there-
after in the mountains above 6000 feet. Most numerous on the
broad flats of Leonard Creek. They were characteristic of
Transition zone.
Habits——In general habits sage hens much resemble the Cali-
fornia quail. They allow of one’s near approach before giving
the slightest warning of their presence, making up for this a
little later, however, through a series of explosive sounds made
by the sudden rapid beating of many wings as the birds rise in
flight. Occasionally individuals (these were frequently observed
to be young birds) do not fly up with the others, but wait until
a little later, giving the hunter a second series of momentary
surprises. Often, too, the sage hens that flush last take a dif-
ferent direction from that followed by the main flock.
The manner of flight is characteristic. First there is the
stentorian ‘‘whirr,’’ and the birds fly away with wings rapidly
beating and the body swaying from side to side. At intervals
this is alternated with a sailing movement, performed by holding
the wings extended and motionless. The latter seems to be the
favorite manner of alighting, for they always sail just previous
to coming to rest.
Usually the birds void some fecal matter shortly after leaving
the ground, and as they fly utter a chuckling or clucking fowl-
like note.
One individual was flushed and flew a short distance up a
hillside, alighting on the bare ground. The observer, upon look-
ing away for a moment and then attempting to make out the
resting bird, was absolutely unable to do so. Later the sage hen
was again frightened from the place where it had perched.
There is little doubt that the colors exhibited by Centrocercus
are effectively protective.
The crops and gizzards of three birds contained sagebrush
leaves, insects, grass seeds, and grass stems.
One flock was observed on the ground near a stream. The
sage hens were sitting close together and dusting their feathers
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 363
in a typical chicken-like manner. Although the birds were in
plain view they merely remained quiet, holding their heads erect
in a listening attitude. Two or three of them walked in a stately
manner for a distance of a few feet, but it was some time before
the flock took wing.
The birds were very numerous on the Leonard Creek flats,
where the broad expanse of country covered by sagebrush, with
streams intersecting it at intervals, furnished the necessary food
and shelter for thousands.
Numerous small piles of sage hen droppings were noted in
the higher parts of the mountains. The pieces of fecal matter
are about an inch long and a quarter of an inch in diameter.
They are light cream in color and pleasantly fragrant.
By June 23 the young were out and fully feathered (juvenal
plumage). Up to this date, although we had been maintaining
a sharp lookout for this big game bird, none was seen. It must
be that they are extremely quiet and cautious during the brood-
ing period. The largest flocks flushed, which were made up in
many cases of about thirty individuals, were seen during the
last days of July and the first week in August. At this time
adults and young birds were traveling in company.
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linnaeus)
Mourning Dove
Distribution—Occurred commonly at almost every point
touched by the expedition, being numerous in flocks May 11 at
‘Winnemucca, along the Humboldt River; abundant in an alfalfa
field at Amos; and observed daily at Quinn River Crossing.
Habits.—At the latter locality mourning doves were observed
in flocks of from three to seven individuals. They were first
heard on May 25, being in full voice by June 1. Two weeks later
at Big Creek Ranch they were observed singly or in companies
of two or three individuals.
As is usually the case, they were most commonly flushed
along streams or near springs. One dove was observed perching
on a dead pine branch at the head of Big Creek (8000 feet).
A single individual was noted at the Duffer Peak Meadow (8400
feet).
364 University of California Publications in Zoology. ([Vov.7
Three nests were found, two at Big Creek Ranch, June 20,
and the other at an altitude of 6500 feet on a sidehill in Big
Creek Cafion, June 26. The first nest contained one fresh egg,
the second was in process of construction, and the third held
two eggs.
Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied
Turkey Vulture
Observed at rather long intervals flying about over the open
desert or in the vicinity of the foothills. A badger carcass at-
tracted several of the scavengers to the neighborhood of the
camp on Leonard Creek (6500 feet). No specimens taken.
Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus)
Marsh Hawk
An immature female specimen (no. 9314) was shot July 21
at Soldier Meadows Ranch.
Accipiter velox (Wilson)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
A few noted in the lower parts of the mountains, usually
along some stream.
On Leonard Creek August 5 a fully feathered juvenal and
an adult were seen in a grove of aspens. From time to time
the young one uttered an exceedingly plaintive jay-like begging
note, which the parent answered. No examples of the species
were preserved.
Buteo borealis calurus Cassin
Western Red-tail
Noted only in the mountains, for the most part in their higher
portions.
Two red-tails were observed flying about in the vicinity of
some cliffs at an altitude of 6000 feet on Alder Creek.
A nest, probably one that had belonged to this pair, was
found fifteen feet above the ground on a cliff near the stream.
It rested on a shelf formed by a large outcropping of granite,
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 365
and had apparently been used this year (1909), as the white
excrement both on the nest and on the sticks and rocks under
it was comparatively recent. The structure was inaccessible to
a climber without the aid of a rope. It was a very large mass,
built of coarse sticks and twigs. Some of these had fallen and
formed a little heap under the nest.
The limited pine-covered area of the highest ridges of the
mountains was Buteo’s favorite hunting ground. Four indi-
viduals were seen in the immediate vicinity of the wild crags of
Duffer Peak.
Red-tails were twice seen with prey held in their talons, and
on one of these occasions (see account of Callospermophilus,
Taylor, 1911, p. 221) I was able to determine what the quarry
was. The great strength of this hawk is instanced by its ability
to break through the tough skull of Callospermophilus trepidus.
No specimens of the species were preserved.
Aquila chrysaétos (Linnaeus)
Golden Eagle
Seen only in the higher parts of the mountains. One was
observed near the summit of Duffer Peak on July 29 in the
neighborhood of a company of western red-tails. The latter
appeared to be somewhat afraid in its presence and to take care
that it did not approach too closely.
No examples of the species were obtained.
Falco mexicanus Schlegel
Prairie Faleon
Observed at Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, Big
Creek Cajion at 7000 feet altitude, and Thousand Creek. On
June 27 a nest was found in the latter locality. Two prairie
falcons were seen flying in front of cliffs near a mud lake, and
from their actions it was judged that they must have a nest with
young nearby. Search revealed it on a rocky ledge, which
proved inaccessible without a rope. The noise of young birds
could be clearly heard. As approach was made to the nest the
parents attacked the collector, flying at his head in a very
eee ea |
366 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou. 7
threatening manner. The nest was more closely investigated on
the following day, when one adult bird only was seen in the
vicinity, and the juvenals had apparently forsaken the nest.
Two examples of the species (nos. 9315 and 9316) were pre-
served.
Falco sparverius phalaena (Lesson)
Desert Sparrow Hawk
Distribution.—Occurred in small numbers almost everywhere
along our route, its zonal range being Upper Sonoran to the
highest Transition.
Habits——Sparrow hawks were noted in the mountains, perch-
ing like lonely sentinels on limber pines, quaking aspens and
convenient boulders. Two fully fledged juvenals were noted on
July 17 in a grove of aspens near Alder Creek Ranch. On
July 19 a family of adults and juvenals was observed flying
about the cliffs of Little High Rock Cafion, Washoe County.
Four examples of the species (nos. 9083-9086) were preserved.
Asio wilsonianus (Lesson)
Long-eared Owl
A solitary owl of this species was noted at 7:30 p.m. on the
evening of August 1, on the Duffer Peak Meadow. He was
maintaining a lookout from a horizontal branch of a dead limber
pine; and was calling at intervals: with notes which sounded
dismal and lugubrious. His stomach proved to be empty. This
individual (no. 9189) was the only one observed.
Bubo virginianus pallescens Stone (?)
Western Horned Owl
A horned owl, presumably of this species was heard ‘‘whoo-
ing’’ about midnight on July 9. At this time we were encamped
at an altitude of 7000 feet on Big Creek. The sound seemed to
come from the rocks of a nearby butte. A second individual
was fiushed from an aspen on Alder Creek at 6000 feet altitude.
On taking wing it was pursued some distance by a western
.warbling vireo. It disappeared in a grove of aspens up the
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 367
cafion a short distance, was flushed again and flew down the
eaiion far out of gunshot.
Oberholser (1904, p. 191) has recorded a specimen of Bubo
v. occidentalis from Austin, Nevada. The American Ornitholo-
gists’ Union Committee (1910, p. 175) has referred occidentalis
to pallescens, the range of which is said to include all of the
Great Basin region.
Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea (Bonaparte)
Burrowing Owl
Seen between Winnemucca and Amos, at Quinn River Cross-
ing, and at Thousand Creek. On one occasion we saw one chased
by three avocets, and on another by two western kingbirds. They
were rather shy—seemingly they had good reason to be!
A nest was found at Thousand Creek in an abandoned badger
hole. Seven young were seen near the mouth of the burrow.
They came out just at sunset, and while they were disporting
themselves the parents would sit on a nearby fence or sagebush
and give the alarm if anything suspicious appeared. One of the
youngsters, too, seemed to act in the capacity of sentinel, and
was always the last one to re-enter the hole. By the middle of
July the young owls had grown as large as the parents, and
were able to fly fairly well. At no time were they observed very
far from the nesting site.
Ceryle alcyon (Linnaeus)
Belted Kingfisher
A single individual was observed on a fence-post near the
Humboldt River at Winnemucca.
Colaptes cafer collaris Vigors
Red-shafted Flicker
Distribution.—The flicker occurred commonly throughout the
region, apparently being as much at home on the summit of
Duffer Peak (9400 feet), as at Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet).
Ridgway (1877, p. 555) found the species to prefer the deciduous
trees of the lower valleys, but in our experience it was about
368 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou7
equally abundant in high and low localities, with the advantage
if anything in favor of the higher ones. Its zonal range was
Upper Sonoran to high Transition.
of Colaptes was frequently heard as early as 4:30 in the morn-
ing. Although they were occasionally noted on rocks, the pines
and aspens were in the mountains the most favored perching
places. The birds are of a rather curious temperament. I was
able to attract one by making a squeaking sound with the lips.
At Quinn River Crossing two birds were observed about an old
hay stack. On May 17, upon the discharge of a shotgun in the
near vicinity, a flicker burst from a hole in the side of this
stack. Investigation showed the presence of a set of eight eggs
rather advanced in incubation. There were practically no trees
on the desert, and the flickers were evidently reduced to an
extremity for nesting sites. The upper part of the stack over-
hung its base. About 1.52 meters (5 feet) from the ground was
a hole 114mm. (41% inches) in diameter opening into a cavity
482 mm. (19 inches) deep. This cavity had been appropriated
by the flickers. Ridgway (1877, p. 579) mentions the digging
by the red-shafted flicker of holes in cliffs for nesting purposes.
Evidently Colaptes is broadly resourceful !
A second nest was found more than a month later (June 24)
at the head of Big Creek (8000 feet). The nesting cavity was
in the decayed portion of a quaking aspen near the stream. The
hole was 1.52 meters (5 feet) from the ground, and the cavity
was 63 mm. (21% inches) in diameter and 533 mm. (21 inches)
deep. The nest contained six young birds a few days old and
one egg within which was a chick that had been too weak to pip
the shell. The young birds were resting on a bed of chips. The
probabilities are that the flickers were nesting quite commonly
in the wooded parts of the mountains. Individual birds were
fairly numerous.
The presence of this species in a region in which no other
woodpeckers occur is an indicator of its comparative hardihood
and relatively superior adaptability.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 369
Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli (Audubon)
Nuttall Poor-will
Distribution.—Observed on the open desert and in the moun-
tains to an altitude of 7000 feet. Ridgway (1877, p. 567) found
poor-wills ranging to 8000 feet. It was most numerous in the
vicinity of Big Creek Ranch and Cafion. We found the species
predominantly in Upper Sonoran zone.
Habits—Poor-wills were flushed in the sagebrush in the
vicinity of our lower stations, escaping by their characteristic
erratic flight. Frequently a poor-will or a pair of them would
appear in camp in the evening, perch with seeming stupidity
for a few moments on the ground or on a convenient boulder
sometimes within a few feet of the observer, and presently sl
zag away on an insect hunt.
Call-notes heard comprise the usual ‘‘poor-will! poor-will!’’
and a clucking call heard when the bird is flushed, which may be
rendered by the syllables ‘‘quut! quut!’’
Three specimens (nos. 9157-9159) were preserved.
Chordeiles virginianus hesperis Grinnell
Pacific Nighthawk
Distribution—Occurred generally over the entire region.
Most numerous along the foothills and upon the broad flats
(6000 feet) of the mountains, its zonal distribution being chiefly
Transition.
The American Ornithologists Union Check-list (1910, p. 199)
does not include Nevada in the citation of the breeding range of
Chordeiles virginianus hesperis. This record for northern Hum-
boldt County thus constitutes a substantial extension of the
breeding range as therein outlined.
Habits—At Big Creek Ranch nighthawks were frequently
seen flying overhead in broad daylight, sometimes even as late
as ten or eleven o’clock A.M. They were observed in the evening
flying about over the small lake on the Duffer Peak Meadow
(8400 feet) capturing insects. At intervals they left the lake
370 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
and circled about through the pines, soon returning, however,
and continuing their erratic flight over the water.
- Seventeen individuals were seen circling over the broad
Leonard Creek flats (6000 feet) in a manner resembling that of
a gyrating flock of turkey vultures. As a rule the nighthawk
moves its wings slowly. Its principal call-note, which may be
rendered by the syllables ‘‘squee-awk!’’ is uttered immediately
after it makes three short wing-beats. The process of ‘‘boom-
ing’’ is as follows. The nighthawk, being high in the air, sets
its wings and dives rapidly earthward. When it reaches a point
ten or fifteen feet from the ground it suddenly catches itself,
the operation producing a most peculiar and indescribable
buzzing or whistling sound, which constitutes the ‘‘boom.’’ This
note is in a measure analogous to the explosive sound made by
the Anna hummer as it reaches the lowest point in its nuptial
flight. After producing the boom the nighthawk remounts to
something like its original height, repeating the maneuver only
at irregular intervals.
Eggs were discovered June 25, on Thousand Creek.
Three specimens (nos. 9160, 9308, 9309) were secured.
Aéronautes melanoleucus (Baird)
White-throated Swift
Noted flying about the cliffs of Little High Rock Cafion.
They were seen entering crevices, so may have been nesting. No
specimens taken.
Selasphorus platycerus (Swainson)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Distribution—Hummingbirds presumably of this species
were noted as follows: at Big Creek Ranch, May 18 and 20; at
intervals in the vicinity of the head of Big Creek; and at
Leonard Creek Ranch, where they were buzzing in and out
among the trees of the large poplar windbreaks.
Habits—On July 1 a single specimen (no. 9082) was taken
on a meadow at an altitude of 8000 feet. It was feeding about
iris, which was blooming on the mountain meadows at this time.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 871
When first seen it was executing a nuptial flight over a willow.
Later in the season the drying up of the iris and certain
pentstemons on the exposed hillsides, together with the invasion
of the region by bands of sheep, which caused an extensive
spoliation of the flora, apparently drove the hummers to the
neighborhood of the streams where flowers were more abundant.
Frequently the flight of the hummer becomes bullet-like in
speed and directness, and it is truly surprising if not a little
disconcerting to have the little fellow shoot past close to one’s
head.
One individual was seen chasing a rock wren. It pursued
the wren persistently and belligerently, and at intervals appeared
to strike it with its bill.
Our observations of the habits of this species accord in
nearly every particular with those of Ridgway (1877, p. 561).
Apparently the broad-tailed hummers make straight instead of
undulating flights. It is confessedly difficult, however, to follow
the course of such unusually rapid flyers, so perhaps a positive
statement is not justified.
Selaphorus rufus (Gmelin) (?)
Rufus Hummingbird
A reddish hummingbird, presumably belonging to this species,
was noted August 3 on Leonard Creek. It hovered for a moment
near some willows by the stream about 6:20 o’clock in the even-
ing, then was away like a flash. A week later an individual
was seen buzzing about the alders at Big Creek Ranch. An
immature specimen (no. 9301), not with certainty identifiable,
was secured at Soldier Meadows, July 21.
Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus)
Eastern Kingbird
An eastern kingbird was almost the first bird noted as -we
approached Big Creek Ranch, June 8. The bird was perching
on a fence near an alfalfa field. The next day two more were
seen, and one individual was taken. The other appeared to be
a juvenal, but unfortunately it was not secured. The birds
372 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vov.7
were not shy. They were heard to utter but one call-note. It
is probable that the birds had bred at Big Creek Ranch.
The point nearest to the Pine Forest Mountains mentioned
by the American Ornithologists’ Union (1910, p. 208) in its
definition of the range of Tyrannus tyrannus is central Oregon
on the north, and northern New Mexico on the southeast. Ridg-
way (1877, p. 532) noted this bird in the valley of the Truckee,
western Nevada. This fact, together with our records, would
seem to indicate that the Great Basin should be included in the
range of the species.
Two specimens( nos. 8607, 8608) were secured.
Tyrannus verticalis Say
Western Kingbird
Distribution.—Typically a bird of the desert flat below 5000
feet altitude. Observed at Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet),
Wheeler Creek (4300 feet), Big Creek Ranch (4350 feet), and
Alder Creek Ranch (5000 feet), all the localities being in Upper
Sonoran zone.
Habits—The warlike nature of Tyrannus verticalis is indi-
cated by. the fact that five individuals were seen simultaneously
- fighting in air, and that one kingbird was observed giving
vigorous pursuit to a Bullock oriole.
At Quinn River Crossing about May 20 two pairs were seen
performing amorous antics, and shortly a nest was discovered in
process of building on a fence rail near the river. By June 5
it was completed, and there were five eggs. It was saddled on
the rail between two posts and built of strings and plant fibers.
Long pieces of string and rags dangled from the nest. The
site was on a hill-slope, there being no large trees nearby. The
male (as was later proved) was bolder than his mate, who,
instead of approaching very closely, hovered overhead during
the examination of the nest. After the killing of the male
another kingbird made its appearance, but was apparently
driven away by the remaining bird.
Two kingbirds were seen on May 26 on Wheeler Creek, evi-
dently mating. The species was quite commonly observed at Big
Creek Ranch. A nest with five eggs was found at this locality
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 373
June 14. Attention was attracted to it by the agitation betrayed
by the pair of birds when the collector appeared in the neigh-
borhood. The nest was located twenty feet from the ground,
and within two feet of the top of a willow. It was saddled on
top of an abandoned oriole’s nest. The cavity was 76mm. (3
inches) across and 51mm. (2 inches) deep. One of its outer
edges had a frayed appearance. A third nest containing one
young bird in the juvenal plumage barely able to fly was found
July 17 at Alder Creek. This nest was twelve feet up in an
alder, and was constructed very much like the others.
Sayornis sayus (Bonaparte)
Say Phoebe
Distribution—Noted at nearly all the camps below 5000 feet
altitude. Evidently the bird does not invade Transition.
Habits——Very few Say phoebes were observed. One family
noted at Big Creek Ranch was made up of the parents and three
young ones. The adults were usually out foraging. <A broad
cross-beam in the open wagon-house was the favorite and almost
constantly occupied perch of the juvenals. They sat close
together to keep warm, the two of them on the outside facing
in one direction, the one in the middle in the opposite direc-
tion. At intervals they uttered a plaintive call-note something
like ‘‘peear! peear!’’ Ridgway (1877, p. 535) renders it ‘‘peer,
peer.’’ They had nearly completely acquired the juvenal plum-
age. One of the birds left his position on the beam for a few
moments and made a short flight, capturing an insect.
Nuttallornis borealis (Swainson)
Olive-sided Flycatcher
One was seen on June 3 at Quinn River Crossing. Six days
later a second bird was observed on a dead alder by the stream
at Big Creek Ranch. No examples were secured.
Myiochanes richardsoni richardsoni (Swainson)
Western Wood Pewee
Distribution—Seen in the following localities: Quinn River
Crossing (4100 feet), Big Creek Ranch (4350 feet), and head of
Big Creek (8000 feet).
374 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Habits——The western wood pewee was typically a bird of the
flat, though it was not numerous anywhere. The birds were seen
in varying situations, for example, on fences about the Quinn
River Ranch, and in willows along the river itself. Ordinarily
they were shy.
On June 29 an individual was observed at the head of Big
Creek (8000 feet) proceeding gradually up the valley in which
our camp was located. It stopped to rest for a few moments
on almost every naked top twig of the quaking aspens. The
birds were more in evidence along a fence near the tree-lined
stream at Big Creek Ranch, than at any other locality visited.
That there is a vertical migration among the western wood
pewees during the early summer seems quite probable. Such a
movement seems to exist in the black-headed grosbeaks, Wright
flycatchers, western lark sparrows, and white-crowned sparrows
in this region. Our data upon this point is so limited, however,
that no certain laws of movement may be formulated.
Empidonax trailli trailli (Audubon)
Traill Flycatcher
This flycatcher was one of the less common species, being
found at Big Creek Ranch only.
The birds were noted only three times, being heard in a
thicket along the creek below the ranch. In this region the
stream flows rather slowly, and the vegetation surrounding it is
of the river-bottom type, which these birds so commonly frequent
in other parts of their range.
One specimen only (no. 8560) was taken.
Empidonax hammondi (Xantus)
Hammond Flycatcher
Our only record of the species is that of a specimen (no.
9251) taken in Virgin Valley on June 2.
Empidonax wrighti Baird
Wright Flycatcher
Distribution—Noted at Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet),
Big Creek Ranch (4350 feet), head of Big Creek (8000 feet),
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 375
Duffer Peak Meadow’ (8400 feet), Alder Creek Lake (7800 feet),
Alder Creek (7000 feet), Virgin Valley (5000 feet), and
Leonard Creek (7500 feet and above). Occurred everywhere
in the higher portions of the mountains.
Habits—As regards note, song, and habits this flycatcher
seemed to be identical with the bird from the San Bernardino
Mountains of southern California called H. griseus by Grinnell
(1908, p. 78). During the latter part of May several of the
birds were observed in the tall sagebrush along Wheeler Creek
near Quinn River Crossing. The first one was seen at this
locality May 22; the last June 2. Presumably there occurred a
vertical migration about this time or soon thereafter, for none
were observed during the last week of our stay at Quinn River
Crossing, and only a few were noted at Big Creek Ranch (June
9 and 10), while higher in the mountains a few days later they
were common.
One individual seen at Quinn River Crossing was killing a
grasshopper by pounding it on a sagebush twig.
This flycatcher was observed in limber pines on hillsides
and high ridges, in quaking aspens along streams, in the moun-
tain mahogany on arid ridges and cafion slopes, and in brushy
plants generally. The bird seemingly prefers bare twigs to
those fully leafed out, being very often seen perching on exposed
branches. When heard calling from a dense thicket of quaking
aspens, for instance, it is generally found to be, not in the
thickest part of the foliage, but on a naked twig rather low
down in the tangle.
The evident excitement of a bird seen on June 29 above Alder
Creek Lake doubtless indicated the presence of a nest nearby.
This individual persisted in remaining in a very circumscribed
locality.
The flyeatchers seem by nature curious, and seek to deter-
mine the source of a strange sound. Frequently a ‘‘squeaking’’
sound made with the lips would attract one to within a few
feet of the observer. As soon as the bird discovered the source
of the peculiar note it usually retired in great haste. Ridgway
(1877, p. 542) says this flycatcher is confiding and unsuspicious,
but in our experience it was shy.
376 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vov.7
Two nests were discovered, the first on July 1 at the head
of Big Creek in an aspen thicket. The nest was built against a
large limb, being supported by two smaller branches and fastened
with sheep’s wool. It was three and a half feet above the ground,
its cavity being 53mm. (2%49 inches) in diameter and 38 mm.
(114 inches) deep. The nest contained four eggs in so late a
stage of incubation that their preservation was impossible. The
second (found July 9 on Big Creek, altitude 7000 feet) was in
process of construction. The body of the nest was being built
up of thin strips of quaking aspen bark, and its fastenings to
the limb were of spider-web. It was about half completed; no
lining had as yet been put in. The nest was four feet above
the ground. The female was carrying on the building process.
She came three times during a few minutes, and, while sitting
on the nest, added material with her beak, all the while uttering
a series of ‘‘ker-wit’’ call-notes, and occasionally notes of dif-
ferent inflection. The male bird was shyer and more quiet. He
was not observed aiding in the work of construction.
Otocoris alpestris merrilli Dwight
Dusky Horned Lark
Distribution—Occurred at nearly all the lower stations
visited, following up the broad Leonard Creek flats to 7000 feet.
Its habitat thus falls within Upper Sonoran and Transition.
It is perhaps significant to note that certain of our observa-
tions with reference to the distribution of this bird do not accord
with those of Ridgway (1877, p. 499). In our experience,
instead of being omnipresent, equally abundantly in all locali-
ties, the horned larks exhibit a very marked preference for the
vicinity of the fields and dry meadows, as along Quinn River.
The birds were frequently encountered, however, on the most
inhospitable deserts, although they were more numerous in
_ pleasanter surroundings. We did not observe them at a greater
altitude than 7000 feet, although Ridgway noted them as high
as 11,000 feet.
Habits—The mode of flight is quite characteristic. The
wings are vibrated rapidly a number of times in alternation with
short periods of soaring.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 377
After May 12 the birds were in pairs, and singing persist-
ently and cheerily. On June 4 an individual was observed pur-
suing another, possibly mating. A large flock of some twenty-
five or thirty individuals, including both adults and young birds,
was encountered at the mouth of Alder Creek, July 17, and on
August 4 another flock of about the same size was observed near
the broad divide (7000 feet altitude) between Leonard and Big
ereeks. Flocking had evidently commenced by the middle of
July.
Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine)
American Magpie
Distribution During the early summer magpies occurred in
small numbers at nearly all the stations below 6000 feet. Later
they were found along streams in the mountains to a height of
8500 feet. :
The birds were breeding just on the line between Upper
Sonoran and Transition, evidently invading the latter zone in
their daily wanderings.
Habits—From the point of view of the hunter, to approach
the bird was practically impossible if a shotgun was exhibited.
Its sagacity was the most notable trait of the magpie. One
morning as I was setting a mouse-trap by a willow thicket, I
was startled to hear a vigorous chattering. In the thicket a few
feet from me was a magpie, the personification of surprise. The
bird did not linger, but speedily made off, chattering until out
of hearing.
While for the most part the magpies were confined to the
immediate neighborhood of streams, individual birds were seen
on the arid sage-slopes of the mountains or on the sage-covered
desert. In no case, however, were they observed far distant from
a visible supply of water. As is commonly the case with other
species, the magpies were represented at the higher altitudes
and at points farthest from their natural habitat by young birds.
Two nesting colonies were found, one in the mouth of Chim-
ney Creek near Amos and the other in the foothills of the Pine
Forest Mountains near Big Creek Ranch. There were five nests
in the first colony, which was discovered May 13. One was
378 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
located ten feet up in a willow thicket. It was built of large
coarse sticks and lined with fine dry rootlets, mud having been
freely used in cementing the structure together. Above the nest
proper was a roof-like arch, of sticks. This made the nest very
conspicuous. The top of the nest proper was not horizontal, but
slanted toward the south. There was considerable fecal matter
about and on it, and it consequently had a very disagreeable
odor. The nest cavity was 203 mm. (8 inches) in diameter, and
contained six eggs. A second nest was built in an elder (Sam-
bucus glauca). Its height above the ground was the same as
that of the one just described. This nest was built in every way
like the first except that the dome over it was constructed of
thorny rosebush twigs, which formed a rather open cover. This
nest had no definite opening, there being several possible en-
trances on the south. Contained in it were three young birds,
with juvenal feathers just appearing, and three eggs. Another
juvenal was found dead on the edge of the nest. The second
colony of magpies had all built in quaking aspens. These nests
had been occupied earlier in the season (they were found June
15). Companies of adults and juvenals were several times heard
in their vicinity. The preferred height for nests was eight to
fifteen feet above the ground. The adults and young were
traveling about in company during the latter part of June and
the first of July. Frequently from thickets along a stream two
unlike series of harsh ‘‘squawks,’’ evidently indicative of the
progress of feeding operations, would be heard, the squawks
being referable to parent and young one respectively.
Aphelocoma woodhousei (Baird)
Woodhouse Jay
One was flushed from a willow-thicket near Quinn River.
This (no. 9093) was the only jay seen. Hoffman (1881, p. 234)
found this species rather common in Nevada.
Corvus corax sinuatus Wagler
Western Raven
Noted only at Quinn River Crossing and Big Creek Ranch.
Individuals were several times seen and heard about the former
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 379
locality, our attention often being attracted to them through
their persecution by red-winged blackbirds. No specimens taken.
Nucifraga columbiana (Wilson)
Clarke Nutcracker
Distribution.—Observed commonly above 7000 feet in the
mountains. They were closely confined to the pine-covered area,
and were consequently more numerous on the western than on
the eastern slopes. The nutcracker was a characteristic inhabi-
tant of that part of the Transition which is designated (see pl. 7)
as possessing a Boreal infusion.
Habits —The birds were first noted at the head of Big Creek.
Small companies of three or four individuals appeared, and
perching on boulders and dead pines on the mountain sides, they
proceeded to call back and forth to one another. As regards
degree of shyness there was much individual variation.
Several birds were dissected and their stomachs found to
contain insect remains, principally a large species of ant common
in logs at high altitudes. Sometimes a mixture of insect remains
and pine-nuts was discovered. Individuals were frequently
observed pounding pine-cones to extract the seeds. Others were
noted prying and tearing strips of bark from dead pines,
evidently searching for insects.
By making a ‘‘squeaking’’ sound with the lips I attracted
one individual to within ten feet of me. As long as I remained
quiet he remained near at hand. For several minutes he watched
me intently, making little nervous movements from time to time.
Presently he uttered several loud jay-like notes, and went to
work at stripping off bark.
These birds were the noisiest of all the species in the higher
parts of the mountains. They could be heard calling at almost
any time of day. Toward the last of July the young were out
of the nest and seemed to be accompanying their elders.
A parent was twice observed feeding a juvenal by the process
of regurgitation. The juvenal begged by flapping its wings in
a linnet-like manner, and uttering a loud squawking. When the
parent inserted its bill into that of the young bird the cries of
the latter became increasingly violent. At intervals the adult
380 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
took short rests, turning her back to the young bird for a few
moments. Three or four feedings to the visit were administered.
Bare horizontal branches of the limber pine were selected as
the scene of the process. The pumping motion of the adult
during the regurgitation did not seem to be as vigorous as that
of the linnet. The throats of the parent and juvenal were found
to be full of hulled pine-nuts. Once I observed a young one
persistently pursuing a parent, apparently attempting to coerce
the latter into feeding it.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linnaeus)
Bobolink
A single individual in full song observed June 3 at Quinn
River Crossing. The bobolink is said in the American Orni-
thologists’ Union Check-list (1910, p. 231) to breed in north-
eastern Nevada. The single individual secured by us (no. 8834)
had the enlarged testes significant of breeding activity.
Molothrus ater artemisiae Grinnell
Nevada Cowbird
Distribution.—Three individuals were seen on the out-build-
ings of the Sod House Ranch. The yards of the Quinn River
Ranch and the willows of Big Creek Ranch were the only other
localities at which the cowbird was observed (see Grinnell, 1909,
p. 275).
Habits——Cowbirds were frequently seen flying rapidly up
or down the course of Wheeler Creek, near the Quinn River
Ranch. Solitary individuals were sometimes observed flying over
this course, but usually the birds were in two’s and three’s. Fre-
quently they gave voice to their peculiar shrill ‘‘screep,’’ uttered
with an ascending inflection; another of their call-notes may be
described as a ‘‘cluck, cluck’’ made in the throat and executed
simultaneously with an opening of the mandibles. From their
actions during the last of May it seemed evident that mating
was taking place.
At times the birds were extremely tame. One morning, while
I was walking from the Quinn River Ranch towards camp, two
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 381
of the birds were seen on a fence near the road. The male left
the vicinity, but the female allowed of my approach to within
eight feet.
The cowbirds seemed to offend the sensibilities of the Brewer
blackbirds in some way, as the latter were not infrequently
observed giving vigorous chase to males or females of the former.
The greater proportion observed were males.
On June 15 a single cowbird’s egg was found in a song
sparrow’s nest, together with two eggs of the rightful owner.
Twelve specimens (nos. 8822-8833) were preserved.
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonaparte)
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Distribution Observed at Tregaskis Well and Quinn River
Crossing only.
Habits —While we were stopping over between stages at the
Well, a yellow-head fiew in and perched on a haystack near the
barns. The locality is in the middle of a very wide expanse of
extremely arid desert, and it seemed strange to encounter here
such a denizen of the tules.
Two individuals were seen in company with a flock of red-
wings at Quinn River Crossing on May 20. A nesting colony
was discovered two days later in the extensive wild-hay fields
along the river, which are covered with a thin sheet of water in
the spring and early summer, but which are left high and dry
later in the season. During May and June various species of
water-birds take advantage of these intermittent marshes. Wil-
lows, wild hay, many small species of water-loving plants, and
a very few tules make up their flora. A few pairs of yellow-
headed blackbirds were nesting in the solitary tule patch discov-
ered here.
Two nests were found May 22, one 152 mm. (6 inches) above
the water, the other almost touching its surface. They were
made entirely of dry strips of tule, being lined with very fine
shreds of the same material. The nests were fastened in such
a way that they could easily be slipped up and off the reeds.
The first contained one egg; the second three. The cavity of
the latter measured 76 mm. (3 inches) across and 72 mm. (254
382 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
inches) deep. A third was found on May 31 three feet above
the water in the same clump of tules. It was about the same
size, contained two eggs, and was made and fastened in the same
way as were the others.
On June 1 the birds were heard in full song.
Although it is not rare, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus can-
not be said to be a common species in the region, probably
because the type of environment to which it is suited is so
restricted.
Agelaius phoeniceus (subspecies indet.)
Red-wing
Distribution.—Common in almost every locality which was
at all suitable for their habitation. Specific localities at which
they were noted: Winnemucca (4300 feet) ; Quinn River Cross-
ing (4100 feet); Big Creek Ranch (4350 feet); Alder Creek
(5000 to 7000 feet) ; Virgin Valley (4700 feet) ; and Little High
Rock Cafion (5000 feet).
This bird is considered by Mr. Grinnell to be nearest Agelatus
p. sonoriensis, though it is said not to be that form.
Habits—On more than one occasion was the belligerent dis-
position of this blackbird in evidence. Flocks of four to eight
individuals were frequently seen pursuing some distressed raven;
they swooped at the fleeing bird with every appearance of intent
to do bodily harm, but I was not able to observe that they did
actually strike the fugitive. Individuals do not seem to be par-
ticularly timid about attacking a raven, even when no other
red-wings are about. Magpies come in for a share of abuse.
Apparently the red-wings do not confine their attacks to birds
of their own size or larger, for one was observed driving a
Savannah sparrow from a grass stem. Upon the flight of the
sparrow, the blackbird settled down on the vacated perch.
The male apparently guards the female and nest very care-
fully. If the female flies up from the grass he often follows
her with tail and wings widely spread, singing most persistently.
If another male intrudes he is immediately attacked and ejected.
The males are much more in evidence than the females.
Both this species and Euphagus cyanocephalus showed very
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 383
ragged plumage the last of May and the first of June. Some
of the individuals preserved had the crowns of their heads almost
naked.
At Quinn River Crossing the red-wings were found in a
slightly different habitat from that occupied by the Brewer
biackbirds. In general they -(the red-wings) were more re-
stricted to the open meadows, alfalfa fields, and low willow
thickets along the river than were the Brewers, which had a
much wider distribution, being found about the ranch buildings,
in thick tangles of willow and wild rose along the river, and on
the nearby sagebrush flats. The habitats overlapped, however,
to a great degree. Red-wings were commonly seen along creeks
and in the sagebrush in Virgin Valley.
Our work was carried on during the nesting season. The
first nest, discovered May 22, contained four fresh eggs, and
was located in a bunch of marsh grass in the middle of an arm
of a meadow near Quinn River.. The water was 127 mm. (5
inches) deep, the nest being woven among the grass stems 13
mm. (4% inch) above the surface. Although the bottom of the
nest was damp, the inside was perfectly dry. It was constructed
exteriorly of marsh grass, being lined with finer material of the
same sort. Its inside diameter was 76 mm. (38 inches), depth
63 mm. (21% inches). On May 24 three more nests were found
in situations practically similar. All contained sets of four eggs.
The eggs of the one taken proved to be fresh. The nests were
located at a height of 101 to 152 mm. (4 to 6 inches) above the
surface of the water, and were constructed practically as the one
described.
A nest containing small young was found a week later. It
was built 304 mm. (12 inches) above the surface of the water
in a grass tuft. Unlike those thus far considered, it was made
of dry reeds entirely, graduated from coarse to fine as the lining
was approached. On June 4 a nest was discovered containing
three eggs and two small young. This was the only case in
which a set of five was recorded. Of a half dozen other nests
of the species found, no deviations of significance from the ob-
servations above recorded were noted. In some instances the
nests were supported by reeds instead of being placed in grass
384 Umversity of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
tufts, and in individual cases horse-dung had been freely incor-
porated into the structure.
While investigation of the nest was going on the parents were
always much agitated and kept up a continual series of objec-
tions in the form of nervous circular flights and excited call-
notes.
Four juvenal red-wings were noted flying up Alder Creek,
at an altitude of 7000 feet, which was the highest point at which
Agelaius was observed.
Sturnella neglecta Audubon
Western Meadowlark
Distribution —Occurred generally along the route of the ex-
pedition in suitable situations, being recorded at nearly all the
stations of lesser altitude.
The meadowlark was most numerous on the ranches, in the
alfalfa and wild-hay meadows, but ranged rather commonly to
a height of 7000 feet in the mountains, and individually to a
still greater altitude. One was observed on June 29, flying about
from boulder to boulder, giving its call-note, at 8500 feet altitude.
Ridgway (1877, p. 506) recorded it to an altitude of 7000 feet.
Habits—At Quinn River Crossing the song of the meadow-
lark was the one most in evidence. Especially in the early
morning the beautiful notes rang out over the meadows in the
neighborhood of the ranches and on the sagebrush-covered ridges
of the foothills.
One meadowlark was seen in the morning at Quinn River
Crossing giving vigorous chase to another individual of its own
species. After having ejected the interloper he returned to his
particular section of alfalfa field.
Two nests were found at Quinn River Crossing. The first
was discovered May 26 in an alfalfa field northeast of the ranch.
The nest was in a depression in the grass, and was composed
of straw, and lined with grasses. The bird flushed from this
nest as the collector came into the vicinity, feigning an injury
after having retreated to a distance of several yards. A second
nest was discovered on May 31 in the marsh near the Quinn
River. The bird flew out almost from under the feet of the
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 385
hunter, disappearing from view across the river. This nest
rested in a slight depression on some moist ground, and was
surrounded by marsh grasses. It was nearly spherical in shape,
being built entirely of straw, and having a light covering ar-
ranged over it in such a way that the opening was on one side.
It was especially well concealed and one could hardly see how
the parent bird got into and out of the nest, as immediately in
front of the opening were some dry willow branches. The open-
ing into the nest was 76 mm. (3 inches) in diameter, and the
nest cavity 127 mm. (5 inches) from front to back. Each nest
contained five fresh eggs.
Meadowlarks were present in small numbers on the Leonard
Creek flats, altitude 6000 feet, but were characterized by extreme
shyness, retreating hastily into sagebrush thickets when sur-
prised.
A juvenal barely able to fly was noted in Big Creek Cafion
between the Dugout Camp and Big Creek Ranch on June 22.
Icterus bullocki (Swainson)
Bullock Oriole
Distribution.—Observed fairly commonly at lower stations,
for example, Winnemucca, Quinn River Crossing, Virgin Valley,
Little High Rock Cafion, and Leonard Creek Ranch. The high-
est record stations were Big Creek (6000 feet), Leonard Creek
(6500 feet), and Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet), while the
lowest was Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet).
Habits—Orioles were by no means confined to the willows,
but were often seen in the sagebrush, though never at any great
distance from some stream. Nests were seen May 11 in the
poplars at Winnemucca. The males were at that time in full
song. Nests, but no birds, were observed at Amos. Orioles were
nesting in the willows at the mouth of Wheeler Creek and prob-
ably at Quinn River Crossing also.
Detailed observations of breeding habits were made at Big.
Creek Ranch, where the orioles were more numerous than at
any other locality on our itinerary. One nest, which may be
regarded as fairly typical, was located fifteen feet up in a willow.
386 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
It contained five fresh eggs, and was well built, being a firmly
woven felt work of horse-hair, willow-cotton, and plant fibers.
The nest was 104 mm. (414 inches) by 60 mm. (23g inches)
across the opening. Average inside diameter was 136 mm. (53
inches). The parents scolded vociferously at my intrusion.
They were exceedingly cautious, however, and took care to keep
out of firing reach. Orioles were several times seen chasing
Brewer blackbirds from the vicinity of their nests. Families
made up of both young birds and adults were noted at Alder
Creek Ranch on June 17.
Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler)
Brewer Blackbird
Distribution —Noted at every collecting station visited by
the party, the species occurring from Quinn River Crossing
(4100 feet), to Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet).
Habits—A colony of thirty Brewer blackbirds was seen in
the willows on a meadow at the head of Leonard Creek (9000
feet). Large flocks were observed on the Duffer Peak Meadow
(8400 feet) also. Small companies were frequently noted ap-
parently crossing the mountains. They did not fly continuously
for any great distance, but rested at intervals on convenient
boulders or quaking aspens.
Two individuals were seen at Quinn River Crossing giving
chase to a cowbird, but on the whole the Brewers seem to be not
nearly so pugnacious as their red-winged cousins.
On May 13 at Amos individuals were observed mating. Six
days later, at Quinn River Crossing, Brewer blackbirds were
found nesting in the willow. and bramble thickets along the
stream. Whenever a nesting site was approached the birds
always set up a vociferous chattering. The nests were situated
at a greater distance (214 to 6 feet) from the ground than those
of the red-wing. We found very few blackbirds, however, nest-
ing in trees, whereas Ridgway (1877, p. 510) observed several
nests twelve to fifteen feet above the ground, in pifions and
junipers.
On June 10 a colony was found at Big Creek Ranch. Six
nests were discovered in a sagebrush area 50 by 150 feet in size.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 387
Several others were noted in willow thickets farther down the
creek. The six nests examined contained eggs as follows: 5, 6,
2, 3, 6, and 5 (probably the sets of two and three were incom-
plete). In one set collected there was a notable difference in
degree of development of the eggs, one being fresh and the others
in various stages of incubation, possibly indicating that more
than one day elapses between the successive depositions, and that
incubation commences as soon as the first egg is laid. One of
the sets collected June 10 was in a late stage of incubation. The
nests were fairly close together, and some were built almost over
the stream while others were built 150 feet away from it. They
were not well concealed. The blackbirds congregated in a flock
of a dozen or more and scolded continuously while we were in
the vicinity.
Carpodacus cassini Baird
Cassin Purple Finch
Distribution.—Oceurred rather commonly above 7000 feet
altitude in the mountains.
Habits —Two individuals were observed feeding in the foliage
of a quaking aspen at 7500 feet altitude. Especially cold morn-
ings seemed to drive the birds to slightly lower altitudes. Purple
finches were in full song at the head of Big Creek June 24. They
continued singing until about the last of July, when they became
very quiet and correspondingly inconspicuous. Our observations
with regard to the singing powers of the young males in the
dull plumage of the first winter accord with those of Ridgway
(1877, p. 457), who asserts that they sing almost if not quite
as vigorously and sweetly as those in the adult livery. On several
occasions purple finches were heard singing while in flight.
A nest was found June 26 in a Pinus flexilis near the head
of Big Creek. The tree itself was surrounded by a grove of
quaking aspens. The nest was located five feet from the trunk
of the pine on the slender twigs of a branch thirty feet above
the ground. Sticks and greenish yellow lichens had been used
in its construction. The lining consisted of shreds of bark and
sheep’s wool. The structure was rather frail and loosely built.
The depth of the cavity was 30 mm. (1%4¢ inches), its diameter
388 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
79 mm. (31 inches). When it was first noted one parent was
seen on the nest, but when a close examination of the site was
made neither bird was seen. There were five young in the nest.
Young birds out of the nest were noted as early as the middle
of July. Upon their appearance purple finches were very much
in evidence on the highest ridges in the mountains (altitudes of
9000 feet and above). The juvenals kept up a continuous vocif-
erous clatter. A bird would fly from one tree to another and
then the other members of the family would follow. Feeding
of the young was by regurgitation. It was very easy to approach
the females and juvenals, but the brilliantly colored males were
more cautious.
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis (Say)
Linnet
Distribution—Noted at all the lower stations touched by the
expedition. It invaded Big Creek Cafion to an altitude of 6000
feet. Localities where it was observed may be enumerated as
follows: Winnemucca, Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek Ranch,
Alder Creek Ranch, Leonard Creek Ranch, and Virgin Valley.
All of these are in Upper Sonoran life zone.
Habits—Linnets were common at the localities listed. In
habits they seem to vary somewhat from those of southern Cali-
fornia. Their songs particularly appear to have a slightly dif-
ferent inflection. It may be that the different environmental
setting has some acoustic influence on the effect of the song, but
I do not believe the difference is entirely accounted for in this
way.
They were perhaps more abundant at Big Creek Ranch than
at any other place visited. Individuals were often heard on the
sage-covered hill slopes. It is probable that they scattered out
over the foothills to feed.
Rirds were seen in copulation June 14. Young linnets were
seen July 17 at Alder Creek Ranch.
The birds were shy at all times, and nine specimens only
(nos. 8670-8676, 9284, and 9285) were secured.
It is of interest to note that Passer domesticus was not found
at any locality away from the railroad. As is well known, where
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 389
the English sparrow is common the linnet comes to be almost
displaced.
Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus Oberholser
Green-backed Goldfinch
Notably rare. On June 9 one was heard near Big Creek
Ranch. The clear call-note of a second individual was heard the
next afternoon, as the bird was flying overhead. Finally one
(no. 8606) was secured in the willow thicket below the ranch.
Spinus pinus (Wilson)
Pine Siskin
Distribution—Heard at Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek
Ranch, in the higher parts of the mountains, and in Virgin
Valley.
Habits—The shyness of the species in this region is indi-
cated by the fact that although several individuals were heard,
no specimens were secured by our immediate party, and only
one (no. 9280) by the palaeontological division in Virgin Valley.
The usual thing was to note them flying high overhead, their
presence being indicated merely by their clear-voiced call-note.
On June 2 one individual was observed at 6 a.m. fiying west-
ward. Later in the day a pair was seen and shortly afterward
an individual bird flying in the same direction.
At Big Creek Ranch and in the mountains siskins were noted
perching on willows along the stream and in the brush on the
hillsides.
Several individuals were observed feeding in a warbler-like
manner, picking insects from the foliage of a limber pine.
Pocecetes gramineus confinis Baird
Western Vesper Sparrow
Distribution—Noted at Big Creek Ranch and locally on the
sagebrush flats of the mountains rarely above 7000 feet altitude;
zonally in Upper Sonoran and Lower Transition.
Habits.—Vesper sparrows were not abundant. They were
unusually shy and difficult of approach, as they flew over long
390 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.7
distances before making the characteristic flirt downward into
the sage and to the ground. As the birds dropped to the ground
they dodged either to the right or to the left behind a sagebrush.
Sometimes they remained motionless after alighting, but usually
they ran along for some distance. In either case they were
generally highly successful in eluding pursuit. When followed
persistently the flights became longer.
One female secured July 9 had a bare breast, indicating that
she was brooding. This, together with the taking of a juvenal
bird on July 28, gives a clue to the time of nesting. The young
bird was noted in company with a sage thrasher and several
Brewer sparrows in a sagebrush flat at the head of Big Creek
(8500 feet).
By the first week in August the post-natal aggregation had
begun to be apparent, and flocks of from three to seven birds
were seen.
Five examples of the species (nos. 4677-4680) were preserved.
Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus Bonaparte
Western Savannah Sparrow
Three specimens (nos. 8780, 9277, 9278) were obtained. These
birds, which were evidently migrating, were taken at Quinn
River Crossing and Virgin Valley, May 14, 15, and 22, respec-
tively.
Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis Grinnell
Nevada Savannah Sparrow
Distribution.—Noted at three localities only: Quinn River
Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, and Leonard Creek flats. These
stations are in Upper Sonoran zone.
Habits —This species was a very common one in the grassy
marshes, in the wild-hay meadows and in the willows along the
Quinn River, and also in the alfalfa fields of Big Creek Ranch.
At long intervals the birds ventured out from the grass of the
meadows into nearby sagebrush. A single juvenal was secured
at an altitude of 6500 feet on Leonard Creek. It had evidently
followed up the stream. The only meadows in the vicinity were
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 391
particularly unattractive, being very dry by this time (August
3). The adults did not venture away from the ranches.
The striking similarity between the habits of Passerculus and
those of Melospiza was very evident. This extended to appear-
ance, movements, song, and habitat. There was one marked
difference between the two, however, in the latter regard. While
the song sparrows were confined almost exclusively to the willows
along the Quinn River, the Savannah was found alike in this
situation and in the grass of the marsh.
A single nest was found, May 24. The female was flushed
from it and flew heavily away, feigning injury. The structure
was located in a slight depression on a low hummock in the
marsh, being completely surrounded’ by mud and water. The
grass about it was sparse. The nest had been built between a
large clod of earth and a piece of cowdung, and was composed
of coarse pieces of wild hay and marsh grass, and lined with
fine grasses and threads of horsehair. Dimensions of the cavity
were: diameter 54 mm. (214 inches), depth 42 mm. (15 inches).
It contained five eggs, the incubation of which was just begun.
Both parents remained near while the nest was being examined.
Twenty-five specimens of this new form (see Grinnell, 1910,
p. 311) were obtained.
Chondestes grammacus strigatus Swainson
Western Lark Sparrow
Distribution—Generally distributed over the desert from
Winnemucca to Alder Creek Ranch. It was not noted above
7000 feet altitude. Its habitat is apparently exclusively within
the Upper Sonoran life zone.
Habits—Lark sparrows were in full song from the last of
May well into June. One bird was observed on an alder on
Big Creek with two grasshoppers in its mouth. Parents with
young in juvenal plumage were observed on the sage flats of
Big Creek Cafion the first week in July. There is little doubt
that the species was nesting in the region.
It may be that the birds move from the flats to the foothills
for nesting purposes, for while they were commonly observed at
Quinn River Crossing before May 22, after that date they be-
392 Umversity of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
came less abundant. A few days later they were found to be
common at Big Creek Ranch and in the cafions and on the lower
ridges nearby.
Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys (J. R. Forster)
White-crowned Sparrow
Distribution Occurred quite generally. Noted at Winne-
mucca on May 11; seen near the stage road between Tregaskis
‘Well and Quinn River on May 15; rarely observed at the latter
locality ; one heard singing in a low, dry cafion at the mouth of
Wheeler Creek, several miles to the eastward. After May 26
none were seen at the lower altitudes. The birds retreated about
this time to the highest parts of the mountains to breed. Here
they were often seen in the sagebrush, in willow tangles over
springs, in the low chinquapin patches, and in gnarled quaking-
aspen thickets.
Habits—The birds were in full song and probably nesting
commonly June 23 to August 4. The first nest (with young birds
which had already assumed juvenal plumage) was found on
July 3 near the head of Big Creek. (See account of garter
snake, p. 354). The nest was located a foot and a half above
the ground in a sagebush. It was securely fastened, and fairly
well concealed. The cavity was approximately 88 mm. (314
inches) across, and 63 mm. (21% inches) deep. The nest was
a substantial structure built of dry grass stems, light sage twigs,
sage bark, and dry blades of grass. A pair of white-crowns
seen July 13 on Alder Creek appeared to be very much agitated,
and probably had a nest somewhere in the near vicinity. It
seemed characteristic of the birds to display the extremest solici-
tude for the welfare of the young.
One of the most attractive of Zonotrichia’s habits is that of
singing in the twilight. The advent of the season of rest seems
to put the birds into the best possible spirits. Perhaps a song
is heard close at hand in the thicket. Presently it is answered
by another which sounds cheerily from another part of the tangle.
As it grows darker there comes a chorus of soft twitterings until
finally all is enveloped in the stillness of the desert night.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 393
Spizella passerina arizonae Coues
Western Chipping Sparrow
Distribution — Observed to 9000 feet altitude; most commonly
seen in the mountain mahogany on the west slope of the moun-
tains (6000 to 7000 feet). This accords practically with Ridg-
way’s statement of the habitat of the chipping sparrow as
observed by him in the Great Basin (1877, p. 479).
Habits—-The bird’s presence in our neighborhood was pro-
claimed by the trilled call-note which we heard from time to
time and which proved very difficult to locate, especially in the
sagebrush country. The birds were seen in the limber pines
near the summit, in the quaking aspens on the ridges, in the
mountain mahogany and in the sagebrush.
A nest was found July 13 on the shore of Alder Creek Lake
(7800 feet). The nest contained two young birds and two pipped
eggs, and was built near the shore of the lake four feet above
the ground. The nest rested on slender twigs on an outer limb
on the south side of the bush, being fairly well concealed by
upright twigs. Materials used in construction were small sticks
and dried grass, the lining being of rootlets and cowhair. The
dimensions of the cavity were: diameter 57 mm. (214 inches),
depth 28 mm. (14% inches).
Seven specimens (nos. 8702-8708) were preserved.
Spizella breweri Cassin
Brewer Sparrow
Distribution—Practiecally coincident with that of the sage-
brush; apparently limited little by altitude. Observed from
4100 to 9000 feet, and from Winnemucca to Virgin Valley. The
great vertical range of this species in a particular sort of envi-
ronment, regardless even of whether the environment is contin-
uous or not, is another exemplification of the principle adduced
by Ridgway (1877, p. 878), and discussed as regards the hum-
mingbird, the flicker, and the Harris woodpecker.
Habits —Spizella breweri was by far the most abundant of
the bird species encountered in the region. This accords with
394 University of California Publications in Zoology. (Vou.7
the experience of Ridgway (1877, p. 480), who records it as one
of the commonest birds of the open wastes. Throughout the
sagebrush country, individuals, pairs, and later, flocks, of Brewer
sparrows were observed. Even at high altitudes in the moun-
tains (below 9000 feet, however), as has already been implied,
the only seeming requisite for the occurrence of the birds was
the presence of Artemisia. The thicker the sage the more in
evidence was Spizella breweri. This is, in our experience, in
contrast to a degree with the relation existing between the sage
sparrow and the sagebrush. The latter bird inhabits the open
sage-covered deserts, where vegetation is sparse, although there
is apparently variation in this respect in different parts of its
range (see the account, p. 397, and Ridgway, 1877, p. 476).
During the latter part of May and the first of June Spizella
breweri was a most enthusiastic songster, and was heard earlier
than 3 o’clock in the morning and later than 8 in the evening.
Nor had the tuneful spirit entirely left the bird even by August
10, though its singing was certainly not so much in evidence at
that date as earlier in the season.
The birds made rather nervous movements, often flying irreg-
ularly into the air to a height of fifteen feet or more and then
shooting straight down and coming to rest in a sagebush. Cer-
tain variations in flight were observed. For instance, at times
a manner of movement resembling that of a vesper sparrow was
noted, the Brewer flying in a zigzag manner towards a bush at
some distance and sinking to the ground behind it, repeating
the operation on being flushed again.
Nests were found by our party at Quinn River Crossing, and
at Thousand Creek flats. One found June 4 near a meadow of
the Quinn River Ranch contained three eggs and may be re-
garded as fairly typical. It was well built of light dead twigs,
being lined with fine materials, including plant fibers and horse-
hair. The nest was 685 mm. (27 inches) above the ground, the
cavity 50 mm. (2 inches) in diameter and 40 mm. (1%% inches)
deep. Three main branches of the Artemisia bush in which the
nest was found helped to support it. Another nest (found May
28) was placed on a small branch of sage and supported on the
sides by upright twigs which formed a canopy over it. Struc-
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 395
turally it was essentially similar to the one just described.
Dimensions of cavity were: diameter 55 mm. (234, inches), depth
37mm. (1%, inches). A nest found on June 2 contained four
eggs and was built of weed stems, bits of dry grass, and lined
with weed seed, cowhair, and a bit of rabbit fur. Four other
nests found varied in height above the ground all the way from
304 to 608 mm. (12 to 24 inches). Of seven nests examined,
four contained sets of four, the others sets of three eggs. The
first nest was noted May 28 at Quinn River Crossing, the last
June 11 on the flats at Thousand Creek.
As a rule the nests were found by the flushing of the sitting
bird. Frequently the parent remained close at hand during the
investigation of the nest, often with the feathers of the top of
the head elevated and the wings drooping, at intervals uttering
a weak ‘‘chip.’’ On other occasions the bird would fly heavily
away, keeping close to the ground. Once at least the disturbed
parent disappeared from view entirely and did not utter a note.
About the middle of July the appearance of the scores of
young ones became noticeable, and Spizella breweri was more
than ever in evidence. In certain sage-covered meadows about
the head of Big Creek there were hundreds, if not thousands,
of the birds. On the broad Leonard and Big Creek flats August
4 they were observed in vast numbers, a large proportion of
those seen and collected at this time being birds of the year.
Several flocks were observed in willows along a creek, twit
tering together in a most amicable fashion. This peculiarity
reminds one of the intermediate and white-crowned sparrows,
which, especially in the evening twilight, may be heard singing
in a similar manner.
Junco oreganus thurberi Anthony
Sierra Junco
A full-fledged juvenal female Sierra junco was flushed from
a small pine in a cafion near the Duffer Peak meadow (8400 feet).
It was rather shy and flew into a tall dead pine. The only note
it uttered was the low ‘‘check! check!’’ call-note.
A second juvenal was noted taking a bath on the edge of a
small lake on the same meadow.
396 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
These two individuals were the only representatives of the
genus Junco seen. As the flight feathers are fully formed in the
specimen just mentioned there is, of course, a possibility that
the young birds were able to traverse the deserts between the
‘Warner Mountains of California, where the species is common,
and the Pine Forest Mountains of Nevada. The distance is
approximately eighty-five miles and there are several low desert
ranges, reaching a height of 6000 or 7000 feet, interrupting the
continuity of the plain between, with intervening flats or hollows
which average about 4800 feet altitude. It seems probable that
full-grown young birds could have made the trip, and to regard
this as a breeding record would seem to be unjustified.
Amphispiza bilineata deserticola Ridgway
Desert Sparrow
Distribution.—Less common than the sage and Brewer spar-
rows, but still not rare. Noted at Quinn River Crossing, Big
Creek Ranch, Alder Creek Ranch, and Virgin Valley. None
were observed above 5000 feet. Northern Nevada is, in all prob-
ability, about the northern limit of the range of the species.
The birds were more numerous along the foothills in the
vicinity of Big Creek Ranch than at any other locality. A single
bird was noted in the low brush on a flat-topped and very arid
ridge near Alder Creek Ranch.
Habits——This bird, which was found only in the sagebrush
association, resembles the sage and Brewer sparrows in habits.
Its Thryomanes-like song could be heard at intervals, and as the
bird perched on the topmost twig of a bush its black throat
rendered it conspicuous for a considerable distance.
Individuals were often difficult of approach, as they would
run along the ground until out of firing range, taking advantage
of the cover afforded by the sagebrush, and flying twenty or
thirty yards ahead when hard pressed.
From the general similarity of the habits of the desert and
sage sparrows, it might be expected that competition between
them, at least of a subtle sort, would be rather severe. Appar-
ently the interests of individuals conflict in more evident ways,
as a desert sparrow was on at least one occasion seen fighting
with a sage sparrow.
1912} = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 397
The song is imperfectly represented by the following sylla-
bles, ‘‘queet! queet! toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle!’’ with a rising in-
flection on the ‘‘queets.’’ In a variation of the song a note is
apparent resembling somewhat a call of the western lark sparrow.
Two nests were found, the first one containing three eggs, on
July 29 in Virgin Valley. After the sitting bird was flushed,
it was noted that both parents were present in the vicinity. The
bird which had been frightened from the nest was very persistent
in returning thereto, but finally left and did not come back.
The second nest was found on a ridge (5000 feet) near Big
Creek Ranch. Low ‘‘chips’’ were heard which were finally traced
to a desert sparrow which had its beak full of insects and was
perching on a rock. Presently the nest was found in a low sage-
bush by the boulder. The structure was very frail and con-
tained three young in natal down. Dried grass stems and light
sage bark constituted the building materials, while a small
amount of cowhair and some other fine substance which I was
unable to identify made up the lining. The cavity was 44 mm.
(134 inches) in diameter and 25 mm. (1 inch) deep. Both
parents were noted in the vicinity.
Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis (Ridgway)
Nevada Sage Sparrow
Distribution—Noted commonly on the broad flats of the
desert from Winnemucea to Quinn River Crossing, in much the
same habitat as that in which the Brewer sparrow was found.
The sage sparrow, however, was not found above an altitude of
6000 feet in the mountains, while Spizella breweri ranged to
considerably greater elevations along tongues of sagebrush.
Ridgway (1877, p. 476) records the species as generally being
the most abundant bird in the moister valleys of the Great Basin
where the growth is most thrifty. At no locality visited by us
did the sage sparrow approach the Brewer sparrow in point of
numbers.
Birds of every species were less common in the vicinity of
Alder Creek Ranch than at any other point visited, not even
excepting the head of Big Creek. No sage sparrows were ob-
served on the western side of the mountains, though the proba-
398 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
bilities are that they occur generally over the northern Great
Basin. They were noted July 18 at Little High Rock Cafion,
Washoe County.
Habits—One is immediately impressed with the similarity
in habits between Amphispiza nevadensis and Spizella brewert.
Both were paired and nesting at the same time, both could often
be heard singing simultaneously, both were strict dwellers in
the sagebrush association, as noted by Ridgway (1877), and both
had similar modes of flight. As regards the latter point, it may
be said that the flights of the sage sparrow are longer and more
direct than those of the Brewer.
The sage sparrows are lovers of the sparse vegetation of the
open desert. Very often their cheery song was the only sound
to be heard in such localities. This observation also is somewhat
contrary to Ridgway’s notes (1877, p. 476), which state the
bird’s preference for the thicker sage. Although for the most
part the birds were paired, individuals and occasionally three
or four together in a flock were several times seen. They are
very difficult birds to follow, as they take advantage of every
sagebush, and usually fly low and run along on the ground.
Each time they are flushed they follow a new course, so that one
cannot be sure even of their general direction.
They frequently remain quietly on one prominent twig of
an Artemisia bush, singing at short intervals. One was observed
singing as usual, with no noticeable variation in the quality of
its song, even though three insects were held in its beak.
Seven nests of this species were found, the first at Winne-
mucea on May 11, the last June 16 at Big Creek Ranch. Nests
were also found at Amos and Quinn River Crossing.
Of the seven nests three contained three eggs each, and the
remainder four eggs each. Young in natal down were contained
in nests found May 26 and 29 respectively at Quinn River Cross-
ing, and on June 2 at the same locality a nest containing eggs
in an advanced stage of incubation was found. The nest found
May 26 was in a depression on the ground under a sagebush.
The others ranged in height above the ground from 152 to 456
mm. (6 to 18 inches). The finding of the nests so commonly in
bushes above the ground is contrary to the experience of Ridg-
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 399
way (1877, pp. 477-478) in this regard, who states that the nests
are usually on the ground. The structures were variously sup-
ported, as a rule being built into the body of the bush so that
the foundation was firm, although in some cases the attachment
was not so secure. Materials worked into the several nests in-
cluded dry sage twigs and sticks; in the linings, wool, dried
grass, weed stalks, weed seeds, cowhair, and rabbit fur.
In general, discovery of the nest was through the flushing of
the sitting bird. Most frequently the bird dropped to the ground
and disappeared by running to a distance. One parent hopped
along on the ground not far away while the examination of the
nest was going on and completely encircled the site. The birds
usually made no audible objection, but in one case the parent
bird remained fairly close at hand and gave voice to a “‘pit, pit.’’
Toward the last of July young in juvenal plumage appeared,
one being obtained on the Big Creek flats. All the birds seen
above an altitude of 4500 feet were juvenals.
Melospiza melodia montana Henshaw
Montana Song Sparrow
Distribution—Heard in the willows along the Humboldt
River at Winnemucea on May 11. Occurred quite commonly
at Quinn River Crossing. Individuals were noted along Big
Creek to the altitude of the Dugout Camp, 5000 feet. Observed
at Virgin Valley and Soldier Meadows.
Habits—Song sparrows were very shy, remaining in the
willows over the water or on the opposite bank of the river (at
Quinn River Crossing), or retreating into very dense thickets
(at Big Creek Ranch). Sometimes, however, Melospiza ap-
proached the field naturalist very closely and looked him over.
They had apparently mated by May 21. Nests were found
at Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, and Virgin Valley.
The first, containing one fresh egg, was noted May 31 at the first
mentioned locality. It was 203 mm. (8 inches) above the ground
in grass growing up between small willow branches, and was
composed of dried marsh grass and weed stalks, and lined with
fine grasses and horsehair. The diameter of the cavity was 57
mm. (214 inches) and its depth 47 mm. (11344 inches).
400 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
On June 2 a nest was discovered in a clump of willows near
Virgin Creek. It was close to the ground and contained three
young birds. Both parents were noted in the vicinity. On
June 15 a third nest was found at Big Creek Ranch. This one
was noteworthy for the fact that it contained a cowbird’s egg
besides two fresh eggs of its rightful owner. The eggs were cold
and the nest had probably been deserted. It was located 253
mm. (10 inches) above the ground in a willow-clump. Stalks
of some species of grass growing at the base of the willow were
woven into the nest. The cavity was 54 mm. (21% inches) in
diameter by 49 mm. (11544 inches) deep.
Juvenals were observed on May 29 and thereafter. A female
with bare breast and an egg in the oviduct was collected on
June 11.
Passerella iliaca schistacea Baird
Slate-colored Fox Sparrow
Distribution.—A_ solitary specimen taken at Quinn River
Crossing on May 18. Rather commonly observed in the early
summer at Big Creek Ranch, and one of the more numerous
birds of the higher parts of the mountains. Their habitat was
typically Transition life zone.
Habits —tThe birds were noted to 9000 feet altitude, one being
heard singing from a perch on a quaking aspen above a snow-
bank. The species was perhaps more common on the west slope
of the main ridge of the mountains around and above Alder
Creek Lake and southward from there toward Duffer Peak than
at any other locality visited. The rocky slopes, covered with
chinquapin and quaking-aspen thickets, with a sparse inter-
sprinkling of mountain mahogany and limber pine, seemed to
be particularly well liked by the fox sparrows.
When a squeaking sound was made with the lips any Pas-
serella that happened to be within hearing emerged from his
thicket and, ‘‘chipping’’ excitedly, looked the intruder over.
It is one of the most tuneful of all the birds of the Great
Basin and, furthermore, its song is one of the most beautiful.
One fox sparrow was observed singing from an aspen tree in
which, at the same time, a couple of black-headed grosbeaks were
also singing.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 401
Vegetation about springs on the mountain meadows was
almost sure to shelter several individuals of this species in com-
pany very often with white-crowned sparrows and Macgillivray
warblers.
Fox sparrows feed principally on insects and their larvae
which they find in the leaf-mold under willow 4nd aspen thickets.
One individual was watched as it worked for its noon meal in
the loose matter at the base of a clump of willows. It scratched
in a towhee-like manner, using both feet at the same time. It
would dig for several seconds in one place, often without reward.
The amount of endeavor and labor that had to be bestowed on
the task was impressive.
On June 26 a fox sparrow was observed whose vitality was
so low that it could scarcely hop along or scratch in the leaves.
Upon being closely examined it was found to be in a very emaci-
ated condition and probably diseased.
The birds were in full song from May 18 to the last of June.
The willow tract below Big Creek Ranch was a favorite place
of habitation, and the actions of individuals observed during
the second and third weeks in June would indicate that they
were nesting there, but no nests were discovered. Most of the
males had testes enlarged. A female with a bare and calloused
breast was secured on June 12, which would indicate that the
eggs had been laid by that date. Six days later another female
which had evidently been sitting or brooding was noted in Big
Creek Cafion at an altitude of 4800 feet. Birds were observed
in about the same places day after day, which may have indi-
cated nests in the vicinity. Juvenals were first observed about
the middle of July. Thereafter they were common.
Pipilo maculatus curtatus Grinnell
Nevada Towhee
A very few individuals of this species (see Grinnell, 1911, p.
309) were noted along Big Creek above the ranch below 5600
feet. One was heard singing June 16 on the swaying tip of a
willow. Its song did not sound exactly like that of P. m. megal-
onyx of southern California. Ridgway (1877, p. 493) has very
clearly described the pose and movements of the singing bird.
402 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
A second towhee was heard June 22 in the sage near the mouth
of the cafion. Five days later two individuals were heard in
the willows at an altitude of 5600 feet. Both were uttering
their trilled ‘‘tschschschschsch !’’ call-note. The testes of a male
specimen secured were enlarged, indicating sexual activity.
No reason for the restricted distribution of the towhee is ap-
parent, since other cafions visited would seem to present environ-
mental conditions almost identical as regards exposure, altitude,
stream, foliage, and food supply.
Three examples (nos. 9151-9153) were secured.
Oreospiza chlorura (Audubon)
Green-tailed Towhee
Distribution.—Ocecurred rather commonly in the mountains
between 4350 and 9000 feet altitude. Most numerous on open
hillsides from 5000 to 7000 feet, decreasing in numbers above
or below the tract between these altitudes. It was found char-
acteristically in the Transition, though individuals invaded
Upper Sonoran.
Habits —The great majority of green-tailed towhees were
noted in sagebrush. On the higher slopes they dwelt to a slight
extent in chinquapin and quaking-aspen thickets. Frequently
individuals were observed with beaks full of insects. The birds
were in full song during the last week in June and the first two
weeks in July. While singing they ordinarily perched on the
topmost twig of some convenient sagebush, or on the upper
pinnacle of some large boulder. Their song is much like that
of the fox sparrow, although it is not so round and full-voiced.
It seemed to me to be much more like that of the fox sparrow
than that of the vesper or lark sparrows. Ridgway (1877, p.
497) speaks of its close resemblance to that of the vesper in
style, tone, and modulation, and to the song of the lark sparrow
in its quality of continuity.
One of the call-notes resembles the ‘‘mew’’ of a cat to a
considerable extent. By making a squeaking sound with the
lips, I induced one towhee to answer me several times with this
feline call. Unusual sounds, such as that just mentioned, usually
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 403
attracted the bird into the open. A second note is a low ‘‘chip’’
or ‘‘chick,’’ uttered when the bird is excited over something.
The birds make use of it to very good purpose, moving about
continually and thus giving it something of the so-called ven-
triloquial quality of the call-notes of the long-tailed chat.
Two modes of retreat were observed. At times when flushed
the towhee will fly for some distance, then sink down into or
behind a bush, repeating the operation before a person can get
very close to it. Escape is also made by running along on the
ground with long green tail high in the air, and finally disap-
pearing into a suitable thicket.
Although we were able to accumulate abundant circumstan-
tial evidence upon the nesting of the towhee, no nests were
actually discovered. On June 23 a bird was flushed as if from
a nest, but if there was one we failed to find it. The agitated
deportment of a pair of towhees on June 27, on a meadow on
Big Creek, probably indicated their nesting in the vicinity. The
first day of July, as I was working through some brush just above
a high meadow, a green-tail came running out toward me from
a chinquapin thicket. She ran along on the ground dragging
her wings as if hurt, heightening the effect of the pretended
deception by uttering a shrill note of pain. She limped and
ran off to a distance of ten feet. The cause of her solicitude
was found to be a youngster in newly acquired juvenal plumage.
From this time on immatures were commonly observed.
On July 13 a young towhee was found dead on the waters
of Alder Creek Lake.
Zamelodia melanocephala (Swainson)
Black-headed Grosbeak
Noted at Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, Big Creek
Cafion, Duffer Peak, and Alder Creek. Although they were
fairly common at the stations on the desert, very few grosbeaks
were seen in the mountains. Found chiefly in Upper Sonoran,
although individuals ranged into Transition.
Grosbeaks were observed along Quinn River and Wheeler
Creek. They were frequently seen at Big Creek Ranch, being
observed along the stream and in the willow thickets. By June
404 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
1 the species was in full song. In Big Creek Cafion a grosbeak
and fox sparrow were heard singing simultaneously in the same
tree.:
The first individual was seen at the head of Big Creek (8000
feet) on July 1. Ridgway (1877, p. 488) did not find the species
ranging to this altitude. A couple of days later one was heard
singing in an aspen, and after this a few grosbeaks were ordi-
narily to be found in the higher parts of the mountains. Prob-
ably a partial vertical migration took place about this time, as
the weather was becoming much warmer.
A youngster begging for food was seen at Big Creek Ranch
on July 27.
Passerina amoena (Say)
Lazuli Bunting
Occurred generally along the route followed by the expe-
dition, from Quinn River Crossing to Alder and Leonard Creek
ranches, and to a height of 8000 feet in the mountains. Found
characteristically in Upper Sonoran and lower Transition zones.
The lazuli bunting was a bird of the mountain stream asso-
ciation of plants, being observed in quaking aspens, wild rose
and gooseberry thickets, willows, and in alders.
In certain localities they became very numerous. On July
7, at an altitude of 6000 feet on Big Creek, twenty or more
individuals were observed.. In general the buntings were most
common from 5000 to 7000 feet altitude.
At Quinn River Crossing lazuli buntings were observed both
in the sagebrush of the desert and in the willows along the river.
In no case were they seen far from streams. After June 1 the
birds were in full song. One brightly plumaged male observed
was shyer and more secretive than its more modestly clothed
mate, which is, in my experience, contrary to all precedent.
Upon my appearance the male dodged back into a thicket, though
the female remained in plain view.
Males were commonly observed along streams, perching for
a few moments on some topmost swaying willow branch. After
voicing a roundelay of song, a flight would be made down stream
for some distance, and the vocal performance would be repeated.
Sometimes they sing while flying through the air.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 405
The birds were shy at all times.
On July 17 two flocks of young birds were noted. The par-
ents seemed very solicitous for the welfare of their offspring.
Passer domesticus (Linnaeus)
English Sparrow
A few noted May 11 about houses in Winnemucca. No
specimens were collected.
Piranga ludoviciana (Wilson)
Western Tanager
Occurred rather sparingly along our route. Those observed
were very shy. The first individual was seen between Amos and
Tregaskis Well, where it was frightened from the sagebrush.
They were noted at nearly all the camps, though in very limited
numbers. The birds may have been breeding in Transition.
Specimens taken, four (nos. 9154-9156, 9231).
Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons (Say)
Cliff Swallow
Distribution.Observed at localities below 5000 feet altitude
in the Upper Sonoran zone.
Habits——It was the usual thing to see cliff swallows circling
about the eaves of ranch buildings. They were more abundant
at Quinn River Crossing than at any other point visited. On
May 16 about 50 were seen flying about over our camp. The
birds seldom alight on any sort of perch except in their nests,
but individuals were twice observed resting upon the ground.
They remained for no more than thirty seconds. Four indi-
viduals were noted at the mouth of Wheeler Creek, several miles
from Quinn River Ranch.
The last of May the birds commenced building nests at the
Crossing, for the most part on the east sides of the barns. Some
were nesting in low cliffs not far from the river. At Big Creek
Ranch the season seemed to be somewhat later, and the birds
were seen gathering mud the middle of June. On June 21 the
foundation of a nest had been built on the south side of the
406 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
barn at that place. Here they entered the open carriage house,
and had built nests on the cross-beams of the same, the nests
being placed in a way which is rather unusual for cliff swallows,
mamely, on the upper surface of the beams.
Cliff swallows were nesting in numbers in the sides of Virgin
Creek gorge through the wall of Virgin Valley.
Hirundo erythrogastra Boddaert
American Barn Swallow
Distribution.—Observed at Tregaskis Well, Quinn River
Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, and Alder Creek Ranch.
Habits—Barn swallows were not so common as the cliff
swallows, but small numbers were ordinarily to be seen flying
about the ranch houses. Ridgway (1877, p. 441) remarks their
lesser numbers as compared with the cliff swallows, and notes
that they inhabit similar situations.
They seem very solicitous for the welfare of their mates.
If anything happens to one, the other circles about in an agi-
tated manner and does not leave the vicinity for some time.
In our experience these birds alight more often than do the
cliff swallows. The latter are very seldom seen at rest, except
at the openings of their nests, but the barn swallows are often
observed perching on fence wires.
The swallows have several call-notes; one is a kind of whistle,
another a continuous twittering. When one approaches the
nesting sites the birds fly about very excitedly, giving voice to
a note which may be transcribed as a ‘‘tweet! tweet! tweet!’’
somewhat resembling the note of the spotted sandpiper.
On May 31 barn swallows were found nesting at Quinn River
Crossing both on Mr. Payne’s residence and under a bridge.
At Big Creek Ranch June 14 three were observed possibly going
through copulatory antics. Two individuals would come together
in air from time to time and fall about a foot before separating
or recovering themselves. Toward the last of July, at Big Creek
Ranch, young birds were out and imperiously demanding food,
uttering a note somewhat resembling a call-note of the Audubon
warbler.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 407
Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot)
Tree Swallow
A single example (no. 9183) obtained at Quinn River Cross-
ing on May 20.
Tachycineta thalassina lepida Mearns
Northern Violet-green Swallow
A few of these interesting birds were seen at Quinn River
Crossing on May 28. No more were observed until a month
later, when four or five individuals were noted flying about the
higher parts of the mountains. Observed in Virgin Valley flying
about over a pool of water, catching insects. From the observed
facts, first, of their remaining all through the summer, and
second, of their deportment of themselves in pairs, we were led
to believe that they were breeding at the greater altitudes.
Three specimens were secured (nos. 9179, 9180, 9298), at
Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), Duffer Peak (8500 feet), and
Virgin Valley (5000 feet), respectively.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Audubon)
Rough-winged Swallow
Six individuals were seen June 2 at Quinn River Crossing
(4100 feet) flying about over the mesa near Wheeler Creek. On
July 17 two were observed perching on a bush on Alder Creek,
a short distance above the ranch (5000 feet). Two individuals
were noted flying about a field at Leonard Creek Ranch (5000
feet) on, August 7. :
Two specimens (nos. 9181, 9182) were taken.
Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides Swainson
White-rumped Shrike
Distribution.—Occurred rather commonly on the broad sage-
brush flats and to an altitude of 6500 feet in the mountains.
A single individual was noted on a sage-covered hillside at 8000
feet. Three individuals were observed in the low hills east of
408 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
the broad Leonard Creek flats, north of Sentinel Peak, and the
same number were seen at Leonard Creek Ranch. The last
mentioned birds were extremely shy.
The shrike did not range much above the Upper Sonoran
zone.
Habits.—Shrikes had evidently mated by the middle of May,
and their peculiar mechanical notes were not infrequently heard.
Two nests were found, May 18 and 26 respectively, both at
Quinn River Crossing. The sites selected by the birds were con-
spicuous bushes relatively much larger and more prominent than
the surrounding sagebrush. The nests themselves were firmly
and symmetrically constructed. Both were very solidly sup-
ported by a number of live branches and built of coarse sticks.
The thorny branches of the Sarcobatus bush had been used in
the second. Fine dry bark, cowhair, horsehair, sage leaves, fine
gray twigs, rabbit fur, and a bird’s feather were materials which
had been made use of for nest-lining purposes. The proportions
of these varied, the rabbit fur being very small in amount, and
the bird feather and horsehair being limited to a single spec-
imen of each found in one nest. The first nest was 1.01 meters
(40 inches) above the ground, the second .608 meter (24 inches).
Nest-cavity dimensions in both cases were 88 mm. (31% inches)
across by 76 mm. (3 inches) deep.
Individuals were frequently seen near Big Creek Ranch on
the lower ridges of the mountains, where they perched on sage-
bushes or boulders.
A family of adults and young was twice observed during the
first half of July in the neighborhood of the Dugout Camp in
Big Creek Cafion. On July 17 a family of four was met with
near a haystack at Alder Creek Ranch.
Vireosylva gilva swainsoni (Baird)
Western Warbling Vireo
Distribution —Noted in the mountains, where it was found
in small numbers along the streams; at Big Creek Ranch (4350
feet, Big Creek Cafion (4400 to 8000 feet), Duffer Peak Meadow
(8400 feet), Alder Creek (6000 to 7000 feet), and Leonard Creek
(6500 feet). The birds were noted in the greatest numbers at
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 409
an altitude of 7000 feet on Big Creek.
Habits—All that is necessary, as a rule, to attract the vireos
is to remain motionless and make an unusual squeaking sound
with the lips. One bird was observed with a large insect in-its
mouth. On July 15, at 6000 feet altitude on Alder Creek, a
couple of young ones were heard teasing a parent for food, so
there is very little doubt of the breeding of the species in this
region.
Vermivora celata orestera Oberholser
Oberholser Lutescent Warbler
Distribution—Observed at several localities in the higher
portions of the mountains; head of Big Creek (8000 feet), Alder
Creek (7000 feet), and Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet). Evi-
dently the lutescent warbler was limited to Transition. It was
nowhere seen in numbers.
Habits ——The large patches of low, tangled quaking aspens on
the higher slopes of the mountains seemed to be the favorite
habitat of the lutescent. In the course of the summer’s work
we saw very few indeed, but occasionally heard the characteristic
trilled call-note. This song made itself most evident in the morn-
ing, but once, at least, it was noted in the early afternoon.
Ordinarily the birds are very shy and their movements diffi-
cult to follow. In the gnarled aspen thickets they kept well
within the shelter of the tangle, or where the trees were higher
they remained in their topmost leafy foliage. In either case
they were hard to locate. Two individuals observed perched on
dead limbs of limber pines. The bird at times exhibits an
extreme nervousness of movement, while at others it remains
quietly perched on a single twig for several minutes.
A number of juvenals were seen in company with some
chickadees in a willow patch near Duffer Peak. The greater
shyness of the warbler was immediately apparent.
Dendroica aestiva brewsteri Grinnell
California Yellow Warbler
Distribution.—Noted at practically all stations below 6500
feet altitude. A single juvenal was taken at the Duffer Peak
410 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Meadow (8400 feet). Breeding in Upper Sonoran and possibly
higher.
Habits.—Yellow warblers are not confined exclusively to the
willow thickets, and although they do not venture far from water
they often do make short excursions into the sagebrush.
The species has at least two call-notes. One is very close to
the ‘‘chick’’ of the chipmunk, while the other, while it may. be
transcribed by the same syllable, is much weaker. One female
uttered this second call-note and shortly afterward a male bird
with wings and tail spread came dashing into the tree. He went
away in a short time, but upon a second call returned.
On June 11 a bird was seen collecting willow cotton. The
first nest was found on June 5 in a wild rose at Quinn River
Crossing. Willow bark was the main constituent of the nest, the
lining being of plant down, feathers and horsehair. A single
willow catkin had also been worked into it. The cavity was
42mm. (1144, inches) in diameter and 38mm. (1%6@ inches)
deep. The set of four eggs was complete.
Another nest was discovered on June 16 at Big Creek Ranch.
It was located six feet above an irrigating ditch also in a wild-
rose bush. The cavity was 44 mm. (134 inches) in diameter and
nearly 50mm. (2 inches) deep. Three eggs, incubation about
half completed, constituted the set.
Males were twice observed feeding their mates. The female
followed the male bird and shook her wings, assuming a begging
attitude which was quite linnet-like in character, while the male
bird fed her two or three times. During this process the birds,
or perhaps only the female, gave utterance to a decidedly chip-
munk-like (Hutamias pictus) series of chatterings. Both these
birds were fully adult. Perhaps the female does not take time
to hunt food during the brooding period.
A nest in process of construction was noted the same day a
few hundred feet farther down the thicket. It was saddled on a
wild-rose crotch, three feet above the ground. Shreds of willow-
bark were the most prominent building materials employed, these
being fastened together with spider web.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 411
Dendroica coronata hooveri McGregor
Alaska Myrtle Warbler
A single individual secured at Quinn River Crossing on May
21. It was flying about in the brush near the junction of Wheeler
Creek and the river. The discovery of the species migrating at
this late date is unusual.
Dendroica auduboni auduboni (J. K. Townsend)
Audubon Warbler
Distribution—Noted at nearly every desert station visited.
During June it retired to the pine woods of the mountains, for
at that time, though we found it occurring commonly at higher
localities, it was apparently absent from stations intermediate
in altitude. This vertical migration was observed by Ridgway
(1877, p. 434), who asserts that its migratory movements in this
region are mainly, if not entirely of this character. The species
was breeding in Transition.
Habits—The song of the Audubon warbler was much in
evidence during July. A brilliantly plumaged male, observed
in a thicket of tall sagebrush continually uttered a note resem-
bling ‘‘pick!’’ ‘‘pick!’’ The syllable differed markedly from the
customary ‘‘tit’’ or ‘‘wit’’ of the species.
Another individual was observed singing from one of the
uppermost twigs of a limber pine. Its head was tilted back-
ward during the song. After the rendition it would feed in the
foliage of the pine or fly a short distance to another tree, shortlv
repeating its song again.
Adults with juvenals were sparingly noted as early as July
10, and thereafter more commonly. By August they became
abundant.
For discussion of a probable case of hybridization between
Dendroica audubont audubont and Dendroica coronata see Taylor
1910b, p. 173.
412 Unwersity of California Publications in Z oology. [Vou.7
Oporornis tolmiei (J. K. Townsend)
MacGillivray Warbler
Distribution.—Oceurred quite generally in suitable situations.
Noted from Upper Sonoran at 4100 feet altitude to Transition at
8500 feet. It was doubtless breeding in Transition.
Habits—A squeaking sound made by the lips was often suffi-
cient to coax. Oporornis from his favorite foraging grounds, the
willow thickets and chinquapin patches (Castanopsis). One
could often trace an individual by attending closely to the little
eall-note ‘‘chick!’’ ‘‘chick!’’, the only difficulty being that fre-
quently the intervals between its times of utterance became long
drawn out. The song of the MacGillivray warbler resembles
those of the yellow warbler and lazuli bunting, but is nearer that
of the latter, though it has a lighter, airier quality. One indi-
vidual was seen with a large worm in its mandibles.
On the morning of July 9 two pairs were observed in the rank
undergrowth over some springs surrounded by a thick grove of
quaking aspens at 7000 feet altitude on Big Creek. One pair
became highly excited, the female especially. Both birds ap-
proached to within a few feet of the collector. Though these
signs indicated a nest in the vicinity, none was discovered. A
juvenal was secured on July 15.
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewster
Western Yellowthroat
Not common anywhere. <A few individuals were noted at
Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, and Virgin Valley.
Zonally the species was found in Upper Sonoran.
While ordinarily the yellowthroat was exceedingly suspicious,
one was sometimes able, by making a peculiar sound with the
lips, to coax the bird from its hiding place into plain view.
Eleven examples of the species (nos. 8509-8518, and 9205)
were preserved.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 413
Icteria virens longicauda Lawrence
Long-tailed Chat
Heard at Quinn River Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, and at
6000 feet altitude in Big Creek Cafion. Not common.
The chat was shy and secretive at all times, being for the most
part merely heard in the willow and alder thickets along the
streams. One of its many notes may be transcribed as ‘‘ta-ti-
té-ta,’’ repeated rapidly, somewhat resembling a note of the
Arizona hooded oriole. Two individuals (nos. 9187, 9188) were
preserved.
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (Pallas)
Pileolated Warbler
One of the rarer species. Recorded from two localities only,
Quinn River Crossing (along Wheeler Creek and at the Cross-
ing) and Big Creek Ranch. Found in Upper Sonoran zone.
Two pileolated warblers were seen at the first-named place
May 26. A few days later one was heard singing near Wheeler
Creek early in the morning.
The birds were not in the least shy, and often came very close
to the observer. Three specimens taken (nos. 8507, 8508, 9297).
Cinclus mexicanus unicolor Bonaparte
Northern Dipper
Rare, only six or eight birds being seen all season. One was
observed in Alder Creek Lake (7800 feet), where it was dwelling
under a waterfall which occurred in a stream connecting two
parts of the lake. The dipper was found in Transition zone.
Water ouzel sign, in the shape of the characteristic white
splotches of fecal matter on rocks in the stream, was observed on
a meadow located at an altitude of 8000 feet on Big Creek.
Two juvenals (nos. 9149, 9150) were secured on Leonard
Creek.
Oreoscoptes montanus (J. K. Townsend)
Sage Thrasher
Distribution.—One of the commonest and most widely dis-
tributed species of the region. Localities at which the birds were
414 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
noted include all but those above 8500 feet altitude. Found com-
monly in the sagebrush association of Upper Sonoran and
Transition zones.
The ranges of Oreoscoptes montanus and Artemisia tridentata
were practically coextensive. Where one thrives, there the other
apparently has its center of abundance. Thus, though the sage
thrasher was found in numbers on the desert about Quinn River
Crossing, it was most abundant in the flats of Leonard Creek
where the sagebrush was flourishing.
Habits—The monotony of the desert quiet was often most
happily interrupted by the singing of this ‘‘mockingbird’’ of the
arid valley. The song is somewhat imitative, perhaps, as we
seemed to be able to recognize notes similar to those of the
meadowlark and of the black-headed grosbeak in it.
Sage thrashers were rather frequently seen on a series of sage-
flats, ranging up to 8000 feet and above, near the head of Leonard
Creek. To a considerable extent the birds resemble the true
mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos leucopterus) as regards habits
of movement and song. When running along on the ground the
tail is held in much the same manner, and we noted that they
preferred running along on the ground to flying. The pose while
singing, and the manner of flight, also remind one of the mock-
ingbird. The differences between Oreoscoptes and Mimus seem
to have impressed Ridgway (1877, pp. 400, 401) to a greater
degree than the resemblances. It is true that in its habits it
clearly shows thrasher affinities, and this, together with the fact
of its being sage-loving, makes sage thrasher by far the most
appropriate vernacular name.
An individual of one pair which was observed on a high sage-
flat in the mountains lifted its wings at intervals while singing,
as Ridgway (1877, p. 400) has noted. These birds were seen at
an altitude of 8500 feet in a narrow depression along the side of
which was a snowbank. It seems remarkable that this bird,
ordinarily associated with wide expanses of desert, should be
found on a level with the summer snow in the mountains.
The birds were often observed perching on rocks, in locali-
ties where boulders furnished one of the principal features of
the landscape.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 415
To a certain extent the sage thrashers were interested in each
other. When one of a company was shot, the others frequently
gave utterance to various expressions of excitement.
According to our own observations and to those of Ridgway
(1877, p. 401) the sage thrasher exhibits a very quiet disposition
during the period of incubation. There possibly is sufficient
variation in the time of nesting to account for the fact that some
are singing while others are silent. At all events there are
numerous individual exceptions to the general statement. Ridg-
way has added that the males become perfectly silent the last
of April.
The birds were evidently breeding in some numbers at Quinn
River Crossing during the latter part of May and the first of
June. A half-dozen nests were found, of which descriptions are
given below. The sitting bird’s sudden bursting from the nest
most often led to its discovery. Our observations on method of
flight confirm those of Ridgway (1877, p. 400). One bird re-
treated in a vesper sparrow-like manner, flying low over the
sagebrush and suddenly dropping down either into brush or onto
the ground. Ordinarily if one is traversing sage-tracts several
of the birds are to be seen perched upon exposed twigs.
The first nest, found May 17, was located in the middle of a
sagebush, being supported mainly by the largest stem, and
partly by four other branches. The second, found the same day,
was similarly located. Both nests were very carefully built, but
neither was especially well concealed. Measurements: the first,
two feet above the ground 95 mm. (334 inches) across the cavity,
and 57mm. (214 inches) deep; the second, twenty-two inches
from the surface, 95 mm. (384 inches) in diameter, and 50 mm.
(2 inches) deep. Coarse sticks constituted the foundation work
of both nests. The layer next within was of soft dry bark, the
innermost lining being of cowhair. In both instances four eggs
constituted the set. A somewhat deeper nest was found the next
day, twenty-two inches above the ground, the nest cavity 76 mm.
(3 inches) in diameter and 76mm. (3 inches) deep. A slight
movement of the twigs of the bush and a barely perceptible
fluttering sound as the bird forsook the nest betrayed its pres-
ence. The fourth was discovered on June 6 near Quinn River
416 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou 7
in a very thick thorny bush. Unlike the others it was very well
concealed, and it was some moments after the bird flushed before
the nest was discovered. It held two eggs, evidently not a full
set. In every respect excepting degree of concealment this nest
closely resembled the others noted. The last one found was
observed between Quinn River Crossing and Big Creek Ranch,
about two miles from the latter locality. The parent flushed
from a low thorny bush. The nest was one foot above the ground
and contained the usual set of four eggs.
One of the birds frightened from a nest proved to be a male,
indicating that the male takes part in incubation.
Great numbers of juvenals were seen the first few days of
August about the Leonard Creek flats. Growing in a small
cafion draining into Big Creek there was noted a considerable
tract of gooseberry brush. Hundreds of sage thrashers, in com-
pany with large numbers of Brewer sparrows, green-tailed tow-
hees, and fox sparrows, were feeding on the berries.
Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus (Say)
Common Rock Wren
By far the commonest of the Troglodytidae in the uplands.
Zonally it ranges from upper Sonoran to high Transition (see
Grinnell, 1908, p. 118).
Habits——This was one of the most characteristic birds of the
rocky portions of the mountain range. It was observed also on
the buttes near Quinn River Crossing. While the rock-piles
constituted the preferred habitat, a few birds were observed on
limber pines in the higher mountains, and at Virgin Valley
a single individual was observed on the desert near a marsh. On
July 29 two rock wrens were seen in a series of jutting rocks on
the highest point of Duffer Peak.
Their song much resembles that of the mockingbird, being
one of peculiar sweetness and variety, although it is not power-
ful. When in full song their melody is continued through the
middle of the day.
While resetting a mouse-trap at Big Creek Ranch near a pile
of boulders I heard a ringing call-note and presently on a rock
immediately above me a trim little fellow appeared not six feet
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 417
distant. After regarding me for a minute or two he flew across
the cafion. Ordinarily the birds are easily approachable.
The rock wren evidently possesses something at least akin
to personal courage. One was observed attacking a chipmunk
which was sitting on a rock, swooping at it in the same way
that a mockingbird assaults a cat.
After July 8 young were quite commonly seen. While we
were putting out a line of traps on a meadow on Big Creek
(7000 feet) a family including two juvenals with the adults was
met with. The youngsters had not been long out of the nest,
as their ‘‘juvenal’’ plumage was still incomplete. As we ap-
proached, the excitement of the parents knew no bounds, one of
them, supposedly the female, venturing to within four feet of
us, and calling solicitously. Even in her excitement she caught
and ate some small insect, deftly wiping her bill afterwards on
the rocks. This may signify that the capture of food is largely
a reflex action. It should perhaps be noted that the presence of
food in the mouth does not interfere with the quality of the
song to any appreciable extent; one male was heard singing
roundly with his beak full of insects. This seems to be the case
also in certain other birds, as for instance, the song sparrow and
Cassin purple finch. Three or four young birds in each family
were in most cases the numbers seen.
Troglodytes aédon parkmani Audubon
Western House Wren
Recorded only from stations located in Transition zone,
between 6000 and 8000 feet in the mountains. Young were
twice observed, indicating that the birds breed in the region.
One wren was caught in a mouse-trap set ten feet from the
stream. A large family, including adults and juvenals, was
observed July 28 on a flat covered with thick sagebrush at an
altitude of 6000 feet on Big Creek.
Telmatodytes palustris plesius (Oberholser)
Western Marsh Wren
Two wrens of this species observed on May 20 in a tangle of
wild rose and scrub willow on the banks of Quinn River. One
of these (no. 8482) was secured.
418 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.*
Sitta canadensis Linnaeus
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Occurred rather rarely in the region. The first was noted on
a barbed wire fence near Quinn River Crossing on May 24.
First it flew to a post, down which it worked in a typical nut-
hatch fashion. Then it flew to the sagebrush, and perched,
sometimes with head up, sometimes with head down. It caught
and ate some sort of insect, and was not shy. It certainly gave
one a feeling of surprise to find this bird, which is ordinarily so
characteristic of the coniferous forest of the Boreal zone, in the
midst of an arid waste far from trees of any kind. Our notes
on habits bear out those of Ridgway (1877, p. 416), who states
that apparently this species makes more or less of a vertical
migration. We found the bird in Upper Sonoran and Transition.
Two nuthatches were seen on Wheeler Creek, one bird in the
sagebrush and the other in the willows along the stream. Two
were seen at Big Creek Ranch, both in the trees near the creek.
Three other individuals were observed in limber pines at
higher points in the mountains. The last specimen taken (no.
8969), secured on July 4, had its plumage much abraded. One
of the call-notes of the nuthatch may be rendered ‘‘wha! wha!
wha!’’ Five specimens (nos. 8965-8969) were preserved.
Penthestes gambeli gambeli (Ridgway)
Mountain Chickadee
Work was carried on in the limber pine area of the higher
portions of the mountains for some time before Penthestes was
recorded. The first one noted was seen near the shores of Alder
Creek Lake (7800 feet). The species was confined to that por-
tion of the Transition having a Boreal infusion.
The numbers of such pinicoline birds as chickadees, nut-
hatches and juncos were far smaller than one would expect, even
considering the extremely limited pine-covered area.
Most of the chickadees noted were heard July 11 to August 1
in the vicinity of Duffer Peak.
On July 30 and August 1, respectively, two broods of juvenal
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 419
chickadees were observed, nine in one, seven approximately in
the other. They appeared either in the limber pines or in the
quaking aspens, though they seemed to prefer the pines.
The song which may be rendered by the syllables ‘‘wheetle!
tootle! tith!’’ ‘‘wheetle! tootle! tih!’’ was the one most fre-
quently heard.
Psaltriparus plumbeus (Baird)
Lead-colored Bush-tit
Distribution.—Not common anywhere along the route. Two
individuals were seen May 26 in the sagebrush at the mouth of
the low wide Wheeler Creek Cafion. At Quinn River Crossing
a small company was seen in the sagebrush on June 2. In the
vicinity of Big Creek Ranch they were confined, apparently, to a
rather restricted portion of the course of the stream, namely, from
about 4400 feet to 5000 feet altitude, their range here being
practically coextensive with that of the spurred towhee. Later
in the season a few flocks of from six to twenty-five individuals
each were observed higher in the mountains, e.g., fifteen were
seen on the Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 feet), in a grove of
quaking aspens. Zonally their distribution was lower Transition,
perhaps invading Upper Sonoran at times.
Habits.—The solicitude and as a rule the unsuspicious nature
of the bush-tits were very marked. If anything happened to
one individual, the others remained in the vicinity, twittering
and whistling to one another. A number of young birds were
secured, the first being taken at Quinn River Crossing on June 2.
Some of the bush-tits noted were shy. Their call-notes
seemed to differ slightly from those of Psaltriparus minimus
californicus.
In the lower parts of the mountains they evinced a prefer-
ence for the thickets along the streams, taking to the sage if
pressed closely. Upon the higher mountain slopes the quaking
aspens were preferred.
Regulus calendula calendula (Linnaeus)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Conspicuously absent from the mountains. On May 13 one
was seen in a willow on Chimney Creek near Amos post-office.
420 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Water from a recent dip in the stream was still clinging to its
feathers. Another individual was heard several hundred yards
up the creek. Two birds, evidently a pair, were seen May 18
at Quinn River Crossing in the sagebrush near the ranch. This
species was evidently migrating, being found by us only in Upper
Sonoran zone. Two female specimens (nos. 8662, 8663) were
taken.
Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Tschudi)
: Olive-backed Thrush
Distribution —Noted along Big and Alder creeks between the
altitudes of 5700 and 8500 feet. Its habitat falls within that
part of Transition which has a Boreal irifusion.
Habits—tThe song of this bird, which was perhaps the most
attractive esthetically of all the bird-music we heard, was first
noted at the head of Big Creek. Regularly while we were en-
camped in the mountains it was noted early in the morning and
in the evening until eight o’clock. The limber pines, quak-
ing aspens, and various thickets along streams seemed to be
favorite places of habitation. One locality in particular, situated
at a height of 7000 feet on Big Creek, was preferred to other
places. <A thick growth of moisture-loving plants, such as
nettles, and the dense shelter afforded by the extensive quak-
ing-aspen groves, together with the presence of streams flowing
from small springs on the nearby slopes, made ideal surround-
ings for this thrush.
Three young thrushes in newly acquired juvenal plumage
were recorded on Alder Creek (7000 feet) on July 13.
Planesticus migratorius propinquus (Ridgway)
Western Robin
Distribution.—Secured generally throughout the region. One
of the most numerous birds observed. In scarcely diminishing
numbers it invaded the mountains to an altitude of 9000 feet.
Below this it was very common. It inhabited every suitable
stream and willow clump on the desert. Its zonal distribution
was Upper Sonoran and Transition.
1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 421
Habits—One robin was seen scratching about like a fox
sparrow in the leaves near a log. In the higher parts of the
mountains robins perched as freely on rocks and boulders as on
pines and aspens. The species exhibits marked adaptability and
considerable independence of temperature limitations.
Nearly all our habit notes have to do with nidification, as
practically every bird observed from May to August was caring
for eggs or young, or was singing. Robins were nesting May 11
in the poplars along the streets of Winnemucca. Nests were
noted in the sagebrush on Chimney Creek near Amos, and at
every locality from the willows along the Quinn River (4100
feet) to the limber pines (9000 feet) of the Pine Forest
Mountains. Nesting materials included dry straws of wild hay
and straw peelings, sticks, grass, bark and leaves. In every case
the nests were cemented together with mud. Dimensions of
nest cavity varied about the following figures, namely, diameter
98 mm. (37% inches), depth 71 mm. (21%, inches). Nests were
found on the ground and at various heights up to six feet above
it, and were located in willow thickets, wild-rose bushes, sage-
brush, quaking aspens, poplars (at Big Creek Ranch) and
limber pines. The nests contained two to four eggs, with the
exception of one found June 20, in which were two youngsters
in natal down. Dates of finding of nests, significant in a general
way, are May 11 to June 29. The parent birds always became
much excited upon the examination of their homes, and remained
close at hand, often coming up to within a few feet of the
intruder. In every case but one, in which the bird betrayed its
agitation by excited action merely, the birds gave utterance to
many querulous call-notes.
The first juvenal was observed on June 14 at Big Creek
Ranch. From then on young were very common.
Sialia currucoides (Bechstein)
Mountain Bluebird
Distribution.—Noted only above 6700 feet, in Transition.
Habits —Small flocks of four or more birds were frequently
observed perching motionless on convenient rocks on some hill-
422 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
slope. As the field naturalist approached, one individual would
leave, and soon the impulse would communicate itself to its
companions, when all would fly for some distance. In general
the birds were rather shy.
Toward the last of July the birds were seen for the most part
in companies of two or three, although an occasional lone indi-
vidual was noted.
A female taken on July 25 had the bare breast indicative of
brooding. Furthermore, when secured this individual had its
beak full of insects, which it may have been carrying to young.
On July 13 a juvenal was found dead in Alder Creek Lake.
A number of young were seen in the higher parts of the moun-
tains between that time and August 8.
Transmitted June 8, 1911.
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 423
LITERATURE CITED
AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ Union Commitres, J. A. Allen, Chairman and
Editor.
1910. Check-list of North American birds. Ed. 3, revised, (New York.
American Ornithologists’ Union), 430 pp., 2 maps.
Dickerson, M. C.
1906. ‘The frog book, North American toads and frogs with a study
of the habits and life histories of those of the northeastern
states. (New York, Doubleday, Page & Co.), xvii + 253, 16
+ 96 pls., 35 figs. in text.
Dirmars, R. L.
1907. The reptile book, a comprehensive, popularised work on the
structure and habits of the turtles, tortoises, crocodilians,
lizards, and snakes which inhabit the United States and
northern Mexico. (New York, Doubleday, Page & Co.), 472
pp., 186 pls.
GRINNELL, J.
1908. The biota of the San Bernardino mountains. Univ. Calif. Publ.
Zool., 5, 1-170, 24 pls.
1909. A new cowbird of the genus Molothrus, with a note on the
probable genetic relationships of the North American forms.
Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., 5, 275-281, 1 fig. in text.
1910. The Savannah sparrow of the Great Basin. Univ. Calif. Publ.
Zool., 5, 311-316.
1911. Description of a new spotted towhee from the Great Basin.
Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., 7, 309-311.
GRINNELL, J. and H. W.
1907. Reptiles of Los Angeles County, California. Throop Inst. Bull.,
35, Science Series no. 1, 64 pp., 23 figs. in text.
Hawi, H. M.
1902. A botanical survey of San Jacinto Mountain. Univ. Calif.
Publ. Bot., 1, 1-140, 14 pls.
HorrMan, W. J.
1881. Annotated list of the birds of Nevada. Bull. U. S. Geol. and
Geog. Surv. of the Terr., 6, 203-256, [2] pls., map.
424 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vou.7
Merriam, C. H.
1890. Results of « biological survey of the San Francisco Mountain
region and desert of the Little Colorado, Arizona. U. 8.
Dept. Agrice., Div. Ornith. and Mamm., N. Amer. Fauna, 3,
vii + 136, frontispiece, 13 pls., 5 maps.
1892. The geographie distribution of life in North America with
special reference to the Mammalia. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.,
7, 1-64, map.
1899. Results of a biological survey of Mount Shasta, California.
Dept. Agric., Div. Biol. Surv., N. Amer. Fauna, 16, 180 pp.,
5 pls., 46 figs. in text.
OBERHOLSER, H. C.
1904. A revision of the American great horned owls. Smithsonian
Inst., U. 8S. Nation. Mus., Proe., 27, 177-192.
Ripeway, R.
1877. Ornithology, in ‘‘Ornithology and Palaeontology,’’ U. 8. Geol.
Expl. of the Fortieth Parallel, 4, part 3, pp. 303-669.
RuTHVEN, A. G.
1907. A collection of reptiles and amphibians from southern New
Mexico and Arizona. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 23, 483-
608, 22 figs. in text.
STEIJNEGER, L.
1893. Annotated list of the reptiles and batrachians collected by the
Death Valley expedition in 1891, with descriptions of new
species. Dept. Agric., Div. Biol. Surv., N. Amer. Fauna, 7,
159-228.
1895. The poisonous snakes of North America. Smithsonian Inst.,
U. S. Nation. Mus., Report, 1893, 337-487, 19 pls., 70 figs. in
text.
SupwortyH, G. B.
1908. Forest trees of the Pacific Slope. (Washington, Government
Printing Office), Dept. Agric., Forest Serv., 441 pp., 2 pls.,
207 figs. in text.
Taytor, W. P.
1910a. Two new rodents from Nevada. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., 5,
283-302, pls. 27-29.
1910b. An apparent hybrid in the genus Dendroica. Univ. Calif. Publ.
Zool., 7, 173-177.
1911. Mammals of the Alexander Nevada Expedition of 1909. Univ.
Calif. Publ. Zool., 7, 205-307, 2 figs. in text.
1912] = Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 425
Test, F. C.
1899. A contribution to the knowledge of the varieties of the tree
frog Hyla regilla. Smithsonian Inst., U. 8. Nation. Mus.,
Proe., 21, 477-492, 39 pls.
VAN DENBURGH, J.
1897. The reptiles of the Pacific Coast and Great Basin. Occasional
Papers of the Calif. Acad. Sci., 5, 236 pp., many unnumbered
figs. in text.
x EXPLANATION OF PLATES
PLATE 7
Map of the life zones of the Pine Forest Mountain region, taken from the
Disaster Sheet of the United States Geological Survey Topographic Map
of the United States. The dotted line beginning at Quinn River Crossing
indicates the route followed by the expedition. Squares indicate base-
camps (where most of the time was spent), triangles, collecting localities.
The route followed by the palaeontological party is not indicated.
It should be understood that the life zones as plotted are to be regarded
as approximately accurate along the route of the expedition only. Ata
distance from the line of actual work the zones are based on inference
from altitudes, slope-exposure, and distant observation.
[426]
UNIV. CALIF, PUBL. ZOOL. VOL. 7
LEGEND ene
| Transition with Boreal Infusion
Transition
(Ee) Freq of admixture _of certain Transilion
and Upper Sonoran Species
(is) Upper Sonoran
y)
|4
ig
iy
y
i:
S
°
Contour Interval 200 feet
9°
PLATE 8
Fig. 1. Big Creek Ranch (Camp no. 1, 4350 feet altitude) and neigh-
boring desert, the Pine Forest Mountains in the background, Humboldt
County, Nevada; June 22, 1909. The poplars about the ranch were intro-
dueed. The meandering course of Big Creek is marked by a line of
willows and alders. Big Creek Cafion is noticed on the right. The brush
in the foreground is principally Chrysothamnus, Grayia, and Artemisia
tridentata. Mammals inhabiting this association include Citellus mollis,
Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis, Perodipus microps levipes, Eutamias
pictus, Onychomys brevicaudus, Perognathus parvus olivaceus, Lepus cali-
fornicus wallawalla, Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri and Tazxidea tarus. The
commonest reptiles are Crotaphytus wislizenii, Cnemidophorus tigris, Scel-
oporus graciosus, and Uta stansburiana.
Fig. 2. View up Big Creek from Camp no. 2 (see map, pl. 7), 6000
feet altitude, Pine Forest Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada; July 7,
1909. The trees along the stream are aspens, alders and willows. <Arte-
misia tridentata is the chief plant on the Big Creek flats. The dark
patches on the high ridge are made up of Populus tremuloides. The sage-
brush flats are areas of admixture of Transition and Upper Sonoran
species, while the animals found along the stream were chiefly Transition
in distribution. Sceloporus graciosus, Perognathus parvus olivaceus, and
Citellus oregonus were fairly common in the vicinity of this camp.
[428]
UNIV, CALIF, PUBL. ZOOL, VOL. 7 [TAYLOR] PLATE 8
PLATE 9
Fig. 1. Basin at the head of Big Creek (Camp no. 4, 8000 feet alti-
tude—the ridges attain a height of 9000 feet), Pine Forest Mountains,
Humboldt County, Nevada; July 1, 1909. Artemisia tridentata is seen in
the foreground. The conifers are Pinus flexilis, while the smaller trees
and most of the brush-like patches are Populus tremuloides. The animals
found here were for the most part Transition species, although the pres-
ence of Nucifraga columbiana, Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni, Zonotrichia
leucophrys leucophrys, and Sorex palustris navigator indicates an infusion
of Boreal elements.
Fig. 2. Tract of country at the head of Big Creek (near Camp no. 4,
8000 feet altitude), Pine Forest Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada;
July 29, 1909. The peculiar species of meadow mouse, Microtus (Lagurus)
intermedius, was found in the Artemisia tridentata shown in the fore-
ground, and was discovered nowhere else in the mountains. Immediately
back of the sagebrush a line of Populus tremuloides appears, and then a
few limber pines (Pinus fleilis), The brush-like vegetation in the back-
ground is dwarfed and gnarled Populus tremuloides. Nucifraga columbiana
and Colaptes cafer collaris were frequently heard in the pines, and Vermivora
celata orestera was noted in the aspens.
[430]
UNIV. CALIF, PUBL. ZOOL. VOL, 7 [TAYLOR] PLATE 9
PLATE 10
Fig..1. Meadow at the head of Leonard Creek (8200 feet altitude),
and a spur of Duffer Peak (9200 feet), Pine Forest Mountains, Humboldt
County, Nevada; July 18, 1909. Artemisia tridentata appears in the fore-
ground. The trees on the slopes of Duffer Peak are Pinus flexilis.
Oreoscoptes montanus, Spizella breweri, Centrocercus urophasianus and
Sturnella neglecta were noted in the sagebrush at this altitude. Sialia
currucoides and Colaptes cafer collaris were observed in the limber pines on
the slopes of Duffer Peak. Mammals most in evidence in the general
neighborhood were Citellus oregonus and Eutamias pictus.
Fig. 2. Alder Creek Lake (7800 feet altitude), Pine Forest Mountains,
Humboldt County, Nevada; July 26, 1909. The photograph shows the
character of the upper ridges of the western slope of the Pine Forest Moun-
tains, and indicates the glacial nature of the high country. Apparently
this lake was formed through the damming of a cafion by a moraine.
Other moraines are seen intersecting the lake.
The scattered character of the timber is noteworthy. The serubby
trees on the right-hand side of the lake are Cercocarpus ledifolius, the
pines in the foreground being Pinus flexilis. Empidonax wrighti and
Penthestes gambeli gambeli were common in the limber pines.
[432]
6)
UNIV. CALIF. PUBL. ZOOL, VOL. 7 [TAYLOR] PLATE
PLATE 11
Fig. 1. A typical stand of limber pines (Pinus flexilis), altitude 9000
feet, Pine Forest Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada; July 1, 1909.
The species of birds seen most commonly in this type of environment
were Carpodacus cassini, Colaptes cafer collaris, Empidonax wrighti, and
Nucifraga columbiana.
Fig. 2. Veratrum californicum on Duffer Peak Meadow (Camp no. 5;
8400 feet altitude), Pine Forest Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada;
July 11, 1909. The conifers at the left are Pinus flexilis. The brush-
like vegetation in the background is made up of dwarfed Populus tremu-
loides. This was the collecting station having the greatest number of
Boreal species. Junco oreganus thurberi, Penthestes gambeli gambeli,
Nucifraga columbiana, Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys, Microtus mordaz,
Zapus princeps oregonus were all taken in the neighborhood.
[434]
UNIV. CALIF, PUBL, ZOOL. VOL. 7 [TAYLOR] PLATE 1I
PLATE 12
Fig. 1. View of a part of the largest meadow in the mountains;
July 18, 1909. This is located at an altitude of 6500 feet on the western
slope of the Pine Forest Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada. Duffer
Peak (9400 feet altitude), the highest point in the mountains, appears in
the center background. The whitish brush on the slope in the foreground
is Artemisia tridentata. The trees on the meadow, and the brush-like
patches on the ridges and in the broad basin in the background are
Populus tremuloides. Citellus oregonus was extremely numerous on this
meadow. A coyote (Canis lestes) was seen here on the afternoon of July
18. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor was observed on Alder Creek both above
and below this locality.
Fig. 2. Alder Creek (6000 feet altitude, near Camp no. 7), Pine Forest
Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada; July 15, 1909. The trees are, for
the most part, Populus tremuloides, all the brush-like patches in the back-
ground as well as nearly all the trees along the stream being of this
species. Associated with the aspens along the stream are a few willows.
The hillsides are clothed with Artemisia tridentata. Zapus princeps
oregonus, Putorius cicognani, and Neotoma cinerea occidentalis were taken
at this locality. Citellus oregonus ranged down nearly to it, and Sylvilagus
auduboni grangeri invaded the mountains along exposed ridges to a greater
altitude than that of this camp. This is a fair illustration of an inter-
mingling of lower and higher zonal elements. The locality is on the
whole good Transition, at least along the stream.
[436]
UNIV. CALIF, PUBL. ZOOL, VOL. 7 [TAYLOR] PLATE !2
Fig. 2
i UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS ~(Continued)
6, ‘Two ‘New Rodents from Nevada, “by. Walter Pp. Taylor. Pp. 288-302,
: plates: 27-29) k
OTe Palos Coast Form of the California Gray Fox,’ Dy. Joseph Dixon.
ibs 803-305.
: A p< Nos. '6:and) 7 in’ one cover. February, 1910 Ue 20
.. Lwo Heretofore. ‘Unnamed Wrens of ene Genus Thryomanes, by Joseph ”
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‘9, The. Savannah Bperrew ‘of ‘the ‘Great, Basin, by Joseph Grinnell. Pp.
“811-316, ' i :
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\ 2) fornia, by Joseph: Grinnell, Pp. 317-320, plate 80,
ook NOs. 8, 9, and 10\in one_cover. February, 1910 15
: 11. ‘Mammals of the/1908 Alexander Alaska Expedition, with Descriptions =
i ‘Of the Localities, Visited and Notes onthe Flora of the Prince Wil-
liam Sound Region; by Edmund Heller, Pp, 321-860, plates 21-32.
: ae Birds of the’ 1908 Alexander ‘Alaska Expedition, with 4°‘Note on the
‘Avifaunal Relationships of the Prince, William Sound District, by .
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». > -\ the extent of law and order that prevaily ina single animal species, ;
“o> by Wm. EB, Ritter. Pp. 65-114, ‘plates 7-14; “November, 1909.....20..: 50
Be CRED) Three ‘Species of Cerianthus from Southern California, by
\ Ho. BéTorrey and F.. L, Bleeberger- “Pp: 115-125, 4. ‘text-figures. '
_ December,..1909 —....- 10
6. The Life History of Trypanosoma. dimorphon Dutton & Todd, by. ~
| Bdward ‘Hindle. . Pp. 127-144, plates 15-17, 1 text-figure, December,
1. cea) A AY Quantitative Study of the Development of the Salpa
Chain in Salpa fusiformis-runcinata, by. Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson,
Pp; 145-176. “March; 1910" 85
, By A ‘Revision of the Genus ‘Ceratocorys, ‘Based on Skeletal Morphology,
». by, Charles Atwood Kofoid, Pp.) 177-187. May, 1910-50 310
©) 9.) (XXTX): Preliminary. Report on the: Hydrographic Work Carried on by
(- the’ Marine. Biological. Station 02 San Diego, by George F. McEwen.
ei: Pp, 189-204; text-figure and man; May, 1910 a? 4)
“10. ep ‘Biological Studies. on) ‘Corymorpha,. IIi, Regenération . of Hy-
eee Tae and. nealginaesule by ‘Harty: ‘Beal. Torrey. Pp. 205-221; 16 text-
il. Patek ‘Note on Geottopism in Corym-rpha, by Bary his Torrey,
: oe 293-004: 1 text-figure.
“Nos, 10 and 11 in one: cover.- pape eee 1910
5 i 9 a
1909)... © 60"
% fiestas Cashes CPM
“UNIVERSITY. OF. CALIFORNIA , PUBLICATIONS (Continued)
- Vol. me Fin from the ‘Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. Na nee i
ody Two New, Owls from’, ‘Arizona, with Description ofthe. ‘Tabbaay’ ‘Pram BU Aes
1s ge of -Stric) cecidentalis” ogeidentalis (Xantus), by Harry. 8. ‘Swarth. sgh
on fan 4-8.) "May, 1910... ec
hart a 2. Bi 8 and Mammals of ‘the. 1909 Alexander’ Biswas Bapedition, by he
hae Hailes ‘Harry 8,’ Swarth. Pp,: 9-172; plates 1-6; $ text-figures, January, 1911. / 1;
re Hilt 3. ‘An ‘Apparent: ‘Hybrid in: the Genus, Dendroiea, by. Walter Pe Taylor, a
oA Pp, 178-177. February, 1011 %.....01 i
4) the. Linnet ‘of the Hawaiian /Islands: ‘a’ ‘Problen in Spebiation,, by
ie Joseph Grinnell. . Pp. 179-195. Feb
. The Modesto Song Sparrow, by Joseph | Hinell, : "Pp. 197-199, “Feb.
na mary, 1911 j
6,""Two New Species of Marmots/from | Northwestern Ame ice, by “a ‘s
-) Swarth, -Pp,.201-204. February, 1911 +1: a ‘
‘7, Mammals: of the Alexander Nevada. Expedition of 1909, by. Walter P,
} /Eaylor. . Pp. 205-307. June, 1911 i :
B®: “Description: of a New Spotted Towhee from the’ Great Basin, by. Js
ec Grinnell: (Pp. 309-311: « August, 1911/7. “20B-
«9. Description of a New, Hairy, Woodpecker ‘from Southeastern Alaska, by’ Se,
HS. Swarth. ) Pp.(813-818, | October, 1911, 27. Ki 05)
A “40. Field Notes on Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds of “Norton Humboldt:
soe ea ites County, ‘Nevada, with 4, Discussion of Some of ‘the Paunal, Features
ee 4 of the Region, ‘by Walter. ce Taylor, Pp. 819: 436, Plates. TAQ
_ February, 4912 : % “1.00”
oy Vol, 8. 2. ‘The. ‘Vertical Distribution | of Baealanud ‘elongatus in the) ‘San Diego
Rea be age Region’ during 1909, by Calvin 0, ‘Easterly. ° Pp. 1-7, May, 1924.:.,..
a Gay ts 2 ‘New: and ‘Rare Fishes, from Southern’ ‘California, doy.’ Edwin’ ‘Chapin:
ih | Starks and. ‘William -M, Mann, :Pp,.9-19,°2 toxt-figures. uly, 1911
am 3, iene and Vertical Distribution of the Chaetognatha-of the San...’
aN Diego Region, Including -Redescriptious of Some; Doubtful Species of
7. the Group, by Hillis L. Michael. Pp. ‘21-186, plz,'1-8.. December, 1931
AS Mae ay Sirois A ued ‘of the San, Diego Region, IV. The Genus: Gonyaulox, with
7) Notes on Its Skeletal Morphology ‘anda Discussion of Its Generic
Pee pane Specific Characters, by Qharles: Safa Kofold. - Pp. 187-286,
is eae plates 9-17. ‘
j 5 On ‘the’ ‘Skeletal. ‘Morphology Sy.
coo Charles Atwood Kofoid. Pp, 287-294, plate 18; =. ;
Pie 6, Dinoflagellata of the San: Diego Region, Vi On Spiraulaz, a. ‘New Genus” ;
Bs {of Ane; Perldinida, ‘by Charles Atwood Kofold. Pp.) (295-300, Plate »
pile Nog. 4, 5, and 6 in ohe cover! , September, 1911 ..;..0......
ee Notes’ on Some Cephalopods ‘in: the Collection of the University. of Gal. es
i, (ifornia, by S. S,Berry..” Pp. 301-310, plates: 20-21. September, 1911"
8. On a Self-closing Plankton Net. for Horizontal: Towing, by Charles At Sie
os swood. Kofoid. (Pp, 311-848, plates 22-25, in
x Onan. Improved Form, of Self-closing ‘Water. bucket. ‘for Plankton In:
vestigations, by Charles Atwood Kofoid. Pp: 349-352. <
Nos.'$ and 9 in: one cover, November 18; 1941 2
ol. 9 + ‘The ‘Horned Lizards of Califortia and. Nevada ‘of ‘the Aenea) hryng
Hi soma and Anota, by Harold ©. Bryant. Pp. 1-84, pl. 1 1-3. December,
BRS eoayeulan ‘patenava” Gerander),, by
ve gti
2. On’ a Lymphoid, Stracture Lying Over the Myelencephalon of Lepisos.
CEUs, hy Asa: C. Chandler. Pp. $5-104, plates 10- 12. Scisecinie ae, :
“Mol. 10... (Contributions: from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology.) :
tee \. a. Report on a Collection of Birds ahd Mammals from Vancouver stand, ped
j by Harry §. Swarth, Pp. 1-124, plates 1-41. Ap i
‘2, A New\Cony from the Vicinity of ciao Whitney, by Joseph Grinnell, if
EP, bape at Senne, igi2 se
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