FRIXGILLID^— THE FINCHES. 79 



of tlie lowest branch of a large sycamore immediately over a great tlioroagli- 

 fare, and so near the ground that a person standing in a cart or sitting on a 

 horse could have reached it witli his hand. The nest vi'as composed mainly 

 of fragments of newspaper and stalks of grass, and though so low, was re- 

 markabh^ well concealed by one of the peculiar clusters of twigs and leaves 

 which characterize this tree. The nest contained young when he discovered 

 it, and though the parent birds were much annoyed by his loitering about 

 beneath the tree, tliey paid but little attention to the stream of vehicles that 

 was constantly passing. It was a source of wonder to him when the birds 

 could liave built it, as they are so much shyer when building than at otlier 

 times. They must have worked mostly in tlie early morning, when they 

 could have the place all to themselves. The same observer also noticed 

 another pair of IMue Grosbeaks that had built their nest in a graveyard 

 within the city limits. Tliis was placed in a low bush, and the male con- 

 tinued to sing at intervals till the young were ready to ily. The song of this 

 bird he describes as a rapid, intricate warble, like that of the Indigo Bird, 

 though stronger and louder. Indeed, these two birds so much resemble 

 each other in color, form, voice, manner, and general habits, that, were it not 

 for the difierence in size, — the Gro.sbeak being nearly as large again as the 

 Indigo Bird, — lie thinks it would be a hard matter to tell them apart. The 

 females of both birds are clad in the same reddish-l)rowu suits, as are also 

 the young during the first season. 



The nest of this species has also been found liuilt in a tree within the 

 grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 



The only time I ever met with this species was at Carlisle, Penn., in June, 

 1843. The previous month Professor Baird had found its nest in a low tree, 

 in open ground, and we found these birds still frequenting the same grounds, 

 where we found another nest containing three eggs. It was in a low thorn- 

 tree on the edge of a wood, but standing out in open ground. Tlie nest was 

 about five feet from the ground. 



The Smithsonian specimens are from Carlisle, Penn., obtained in April, 

 May, and August ; from Georgia, Texas, New ^Mexico, Nebraska, Mexico, etc. 

 Mr. Lawrence enumerates this among the birds found near New York City. 

 Mr. Dresser found it common near Matamoras in July and August. It was 

 breeding there, thotigh, owing to the lateness of the season, he was unable to 

 procure any of its eggs. Dr. Cones speaks of it as generally distributed in 

 Arizona, but nowhere very common. A single specimen was taken near 

 Fort Whipple, August 10. TurnbuU regarded it as a rare straggler to the 

 southern counties of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, arriving there in the 

 middle of May. Dr. Woodhouse found it common in the Indian Territory 

 and Texas. Lieutenant Couch mentions seeing this bird first near ilouterey, 

 tlie male always preceding the female. He speaks of them as exceedingly 

 tame. Mr. J. II. Clark states that this bird was not often seen, and, when 

 observed, was generally solitary, preferring the dark ra\'ines and the canons 



