WESTERN BIRDS Grosbeak 



low murmuring of pure tones, quite pleasant to the ear; 

 a harsh but subdued rattle, or alarm note, wzzzt or 

 wzzzp, familiarly similar to that of the Crossbill; and 

 the high-pitched shriek, which distinguishes the bird 

 from all others, dinip. A little attention brings to light 

 the fact that all the birds in the flock bring out this 

 astonishing note at precisely the same pitch. 



The same writer tells us that June, 1906, was mem- 

 orable for the abundance of these birds in the vicinity 

 of Spokane, "The very air of Cannon Hill and Hang- 

 man's Creek seemed charged with expectation of Gros- 

 beaks' nests. But they were not for us. Nor has the 

 nest yet been taken in Washington." 



GENUS PINICOLA: PINE GROSBEAK. 



Pine Grosbeak: Pinicola enucleator leucura. 

 FAMILY— FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



The Pine Grosbeak is another handsome bird that 

 breeds in northern North America, some of them nesting 

 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and in 

 Maine. During the winter flocks of them may be seen 

 in Iowa, Indiana, Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, 

 and southern New England; also in Minnesota and east- 

 ern Kansas. 



They are about nine inches long and the males are 

 a slaty-gray, more or less strongly washed with rosy- 

 red which is strongest on crown, rump, upper tail coverts, 

 and breast. The wings and tail are brown, the former 

 with some white edgings. This plumage is not acquired 

 until after the first nesting season. The female differs 

 from the male in having no red, the crown, upper tail 

 coverts, and breast being strongly washed with olive- 

 yellow instead. 



147 



