172 Life History of the House Finch. [ZOE 
Women are as passionately addicted to gambling as the men, 
and either sex will lose money, clothing, ornaments or any of their 
Possessions with as little murmuring as any other race of people 
gamblers are gamblers whether red, white or black. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE 
HOUSE FINCH (CARPODACUS MEXICANUS 
FRONTALIS), 
With Plate VI. 
BY CHARLES A. KEELER. 
There is probably no bird so widely and commonly distributed 
throughout the Western States as the house finch. From the 
Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and from Oregon into Mexico it is 
found in abundance. In California it resorts chiefly to the valleys, 
both of the coast and interior region, but it occurs in the mountains 
to the height of at least three thousand feet. Its distribution in 
winter does not differ essentially from its summer range, as its mj- 
grations are caused merely by local influences, such as scarcity of 
food or a cold spell. In the vicinity of San Francisco Bay the bird 
is present throughout the winter, but is less common than at other 
seasons, being driven inland by the cold weather. 
During the month of F ebruary the males sing more or less con- 
stantly, but it is not until a month later that love - making begins. 
Early in March they begin to pay their attentions to the females, 
and at this time it isa common sight to see two males trying to out- 
vie one another in song as they follow a female from tree to tree. 
By the middle of March they are nearly all mated and by the latter | 
part of the month nest - building is fairly under way. During the 
early part of April both sexes are busy in constructing a home, the 
male merely assisting by bringing material and finding abundant 
opportunity to sing while his mate is at work. To describe the lo- 
cation of the nest would be impossible, as there are few birds less 
particular in the selection of a site. Vines and bushes about houses _ 
seem to be chosen more commonly than trees, although fruit trees 
afford shelter to a great many nests. From the middle of April to 
August the duties of incubation occupy the attention of the female 
almost constantly, for during this time two broods are raised. Four 
