FAMILY FringillidcB 



will return again and again to the same place. 



The evening grosbeak has two or three 

 distinct call notes in addition to the con- 

 versational notes referred to, and one ob- 

 server from eastern Oregon claims to have 

 heard the grosbeak sing a pleasing warbling 

 song. 



When sitting still the evening grosbeak is 

 easily recognized by its unusual looking bill 

 and striking plumage, while it may be readily 

 distinguished in flight by its short wings and 

 rapid wing beat, together with the showing of 

 conspicuous white wing patches and its pecu- 

 liar whistled call note. It is seldom alone, 

 except during the breeding season, and even 

 then likes to be within call of its fellows. 



The nest is described as being largely 

 composed of the yellow lichen of the moun- 

 tain pine forests where it usually spends the 

 breeding season, but if the nest is built in 

 other than conifers it will be made of bark 

 and rootlets. The writer once saw a pair of 

 evening grosbeaks carrying nesting material 

 in the hills back of Portland but was unable 

 to trace the birds to their nest. One bird, 

 probably the female, had a mouthful of 

 fibrous material and the male was following 

 close behind as they darted up a canyon. 

 The presence and call notes of a flock of 

 96 



