FAMILY FringillidcB 



Coast district from sea level to high mountains, 

 making its home in the great belts of fir and 

 spruce that clothe the mountains and big 

 hills. It builds its nest high in some conifer, 

 and late in the summer when the young are 

 full grown it gathers in large flocks to wander 

 about the country in search of its favorite 

 food which consists of the seeds of the Doug- 

 las fir and the alder. In the fall when the 

 leaves have dropped these little birds may be 

 seen in large numbers fairly covering the 

 trees, hanging head downwards like chickadees 

 as they devour the cone-like seeds. When dis- 

 turbed they rise from the tree, a whirling mass 

 of little gray birds, to circle about over the 

 trees for a short distance and settle back again 

 in the same tree to resume the feast. Pine sis- 

 kins, in company with goldfinches, may often 

 be seen along the roadsides feeding on weed 

 seeds or thistle heads. The gray streaked plu- 

 mage with yellow patch on the wing may be 

 easily seen at such a time. They have much 

 the same call notes and pretty little song of 

 the willow goldfinch, and the same undulatory 

 flight, showing their close relationship. 



California purple finch, Carpodacus 



purpureus calif ornicus. 5.75 



Distribution: Pacific Coast district from 



88 



