WESTERN BIRDS Goldfinch 



GENUS ASTRAGALINUS: WILLOW 

 GOLDFINCH. 



Willow Goldfinch: Astragalinus tristis salicdmans. 

 FAMILY— FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



In the Pacific Coast region, extending from Washing- 

 ton to southern California, is found the Willow Gold- 

 finch, which differs chiefly from the eastern bird in hav- 

 ing slightly shorter wings and tail and the yellow not 

 quite so bright. The summer female is also browner 

 with the under parts less yellow. 



In the southern part of their breeding range the birds 

 are residents and at any time of year may be seen in 

 the willow and alder thickets along the streams, where 

 in company with their cousins, the Green-backed, they 

 feast upon the pussy-willow seeds, of which they are 

 especially fond, and the alder tassels; swinging and 

 balancing, keeping up their conversational pe-tit or per- 

 chic-o-ree in perfect content. It is to be regretted that 

 these jolly, handsome little Finches are content to stay 

 in the willow bottoms rather than visit the door yards 

 and gardens as do their eastern cousins. 



A similar bird known as the Pale Goldfinch (A. t. pal- 

 lidus) is found in the Rocky Mountain plateau, breeding 

 from British Columbia, south to central Nevada and 

 southern Colorado, and wintering below the United 

 States. Dawson records these birds as nesting in eastern 

 Washington, most of them wintering farther south. 



In habits and sunny dispositions they are true mem- 

 bers of the Goldfinch tribe. 



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