284 



ZOOLOGY BIRDS. 



their course to the far north. By the last of May, nearly all had disappeared 

 from the low grounds ; and such stragglers as remained were lost sight 

 of a few days later, doubtless finding in the mountains adjacent all the 

 conditions necessary for their summer existence. As an abundant summer 

 resident of the mountains of Colorado, it has been found by Messrs. Allen 

 and Trippe ranging from about 8,000 feet to the timber line. In the mount- 

 ains of New Mexico and Arizona it has not been found by any of the 

 expeditions in summer, nor do I think it occurs there. 



In fall, they occur, if possible, even more abundantly than during the 

 vernal passage ; their numbers reaching the maximum in Arizona in Septem- 

 ber, at which time they are found from an altitude of 10,000 feet in the 

 shrubbery and weeds along the alpine streams to the fewest valleys. 



Among the hordes of sparrows found along the Gila River the middle 

 of September, no one species compared in its abundance with this finch. 

 The tall weeds and undergrowth seemed to be alive with these birds, dozens 

 of which would be scared up at every step, and alight on the neighboring 

 trees. They spend all their time on the ground, searching for the small 

 seeds and insects which constitute their food. When undisturbed, they are 

 perfectly silent, but occasionally, when startled, emit a sharp chirp. 



