FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 371 



buffy below and on wing bands ; median under parts and face more or less 

 tinged with red. Young female : like young male, but without red. Male: 

 length (skins) 7.45-8.41, wing ;>.52-;].88, tail 3.72-4.25, bill .5i»-.6o. Fe- 

 male : length (skins) 6.90-7. 'J4, wing 3.46-3.07, tail 3.69-3.82, bill .58-.62. 



Distribution. — Lower Sonoran zone from southern Arizona to western 

 Texas and northwestern Mexico. 



Nest and eggs similar to those of the cardinals, but eggs averaging 

 smaller. 



Though not so brilliant as the Cardinalis group, the Pyrrhuloxias 

 when among their native mesquites seem even more beautiful. The 

 rose-colored vest that lights up their soft gray plumage gives an 

 exquisite delicacy and freshness that adds charm to their individual- 

 ity and sprightliness. Their expression changes astonisliingly with 

 the movement of their crest. When it is flattened the short curved 

 bill and round head suggest a bored parrot in a cage, but when the 

 crest is raised to its full height and thrown forward, the beautiful 

 bird is the picture of alert interest and vivacity. 



The call-note of the Pyrrhuloxias, instead of a single chip, is made 

 up of several flat, thin notes. Their whistle, though of similar char- 

 acter to the cardinals', instead of being a scooped cue note is a clear 

 straight whistle. 



A pair whose nest we stumbled on in the mesquite showed their 

 mutual solicitude in such a charming manner, the male bursting into 

 song to draw our attention from his mate and nest, that it seemed as 

 i f rare pleasure lay in store for the bird student with leisure to study 

 their attractive ways. 



594a. P. s. texana Ridgw. Texas Pyrrhuloxia. 



Adult male. — Similar to sinuata, but bill much lieavier and coloration 

 darker; ring round bill conspicuously/ marked with black; upper parts dark 

 gray. Adult female : similar to female sinuata, but xmder parts grayish on 

 front and sides. Male: length (skins) 7.54-8.10, wing 3.48-3.88, tail 3.68- 

 4.21, bill .60-.67. Female: length (skins) 7.10-8.10, wing 3.30-3.79, taU 

 3.30-4.26, bill .60-.65. 



Distribtition. — Lower Sonoran zone in northeastern Mexico and southern 

 Texa.s, north to Nueces, Bee. l>exar, Kendall, and Tom Green counties. 



Xest. — In mesquite and other thorny bushes, small and compact, made 

 of inner bark, grasses, and twigs, lined with a few rootlets. Fggs : 3, spotted 

 with brown and lavender massed at the larger end. 



GENUS ZAMELODIA. 



General Characters. — Bill heavy, short, conical, much deeper than broad 

 at ba.se ; nostrils exposed ; wing pointed ; tail even or slightly rounded ; 

 tarsus about as long as middle toe witli claw. 



KKY TO ADULT MALES. 



1. Under parts l)rown and yellow melanocephala, p. .372. 



r. Under parts white and rose pink ludoviciana, p. 372. 



