THE WILLOW GOLDFINCH. 91 



No. 32. 

 WILLOW GOLDFINCH. 



A. O. U. No. 529b. Astragaliniis tristis salicamans (Grinncll). 



Synonyms. — California G(ji,di'incii. "Yelujw-bikd," etc. 



Description. — Similar to .-i. t. pallidas, but wings and tail shorter and colora- 

 tion very much darker ; adult male in summer plumage has tinge of pale olive- 

 green on back, while winter adults and young are decidedly darker and browner 

 than corresponding plumage of .i. t. pallidiis. Wing (of adult male) 2.75 (70) ; 

 tail 1.73 (44)- 



Recognition Marks. — As in preceding but decidedly darker and browner, 

 especially in winter. 



Nesting. — As in .1. t. pallidiis. 



General Range. — I'acilic coast district from Lower California (Cerros Id.) 

 north to Uritish Columbia. Has been taken at Okanagan Landing, B. C. 

 (Brooks). 



Range in Washington. — Not common resident on West-side only, chicflv in 

 cultivated valleys. 



Authorities. — Clirvsomitris tristis Bon. Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 

 1858, 421, 422, part. C&S. L^ Kb. Ra. Kk. B. E. 

 Specimens. — (U. of W.) Prov. B. E. 



GOLDFINCHES are a bit of a rarity on Puget Sound. (3f course we 

 see them every season, and one may see a great deal of a particular tnjop. 

 once its general range is ascertained ; but, taken all in all, the bird is not 

 common. Neither Cooper nor Suckley saw this Goldfinch, altho particularlv 

 wondering at its absence. The clearing of the forests and tlie culti\'ation of 

 the soil is conducive to its increase, however; and there is every reason to 

 believe that we are seeing more of it year by year. 



There has been a warm discussion as to the subspecific validity of the 

 ^^''lllow Goldfinch, but those who see birds of this form in late winter or early 

 spring cannot but be impressed w^ith the striking brownness of its plumage, 

 as well as by the more extensi\-e white upon the wings, as coimpared with 

 the eastern bird. Beyond its partiality for willow trees, it has no further 

 distinguishing traits, unless, perhaps, it may be reckoned less tuneful, or noisy. 



