70 THE ALASKAN PINE GROSBEAK. 



It is not a little surprising at tirst thought, that the habits of these birds 

 are best known in our larger cities, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Portland. 

 Why they should be especially attracted to them, it is hard to' say, unless it be 

 that they love the din of urban life, which they help so valiantly to promote. 

 But it is easy to^ see why they are more noticeable there ; for their showy 

 and patchy coloration marks them as distinguished visitors in town, whereas 

 in the forest their colors sO' melt intcf and harmonize with their surroundings 

 that it is difficult to follow their movements. 



These Grosbeaks, or New World Hawfinches, are not to be commended 

 as horticulturists. In winter they feed largely upon the ground, gleaning 

 fallen seeds and fruits ; and are especially fond of the winged key of the large- 

 leafed maple (Acer macrophylliim). They drop down to such a feast one by 

 one from the branches above, and it is amusing tO' note how the loud cracking 

 of seeds is interspersed with music. A little later the birds devote themselves 

 to swelling buds, and here toO' the maple is a favorite ; tho ash, alder, flowering 

 currant, and a dozen more are not disdained. The damage done is not 

 considerable; for the birds, viewed in the large, are not numerous enough, all 

 told, to be taken seriously; but \'iewed in the concrete, the snip, snip, of those 

 mandililes in the lilac bushes is no idle joy. 



It may lie that the key of high C sharp, or whatever it be, staccato con 

 moto, is the accepted love note, and that the green-liveried swain hurls 

 declarations at his enamorata, like Samson in Handel's oratorio, the live-long 

 3'ear. Anyway, his exertions are redoubled in early June, and he charges about 

 in a reckless frenzy which shduld make the city gape. June, 1906, was 

 memorable to us for the aljundance of these Grosbeaks in the vicinity of 

 Spokane. 'J'he \'ery air of Cannon Plill and Hangman's Creek seemed charged 

 with expectation of Grosbeaks' nests. But thev were not for us. Nor has 

 the nest vet been taken in Washington. 



No. 24. 



ALASKAN PINE GROSBEAK. 



A. O. U. No. 515c. Pinicola enucleator alascensis Ridgway. 



Synonym.-^PiNiC rU'i.i.Fixcii. 



Description. — .Idiilt male: In highest plumage rosy red (poppy red) ; back 

 with dusky centers of feathers ; lower belly and under tail-coverts ashy gray — this 

 high plumage is the exception ; in general the rosy gives place to ashy gray in 

 varying proportions ; wings and tail ashy dusky ; tips of middle and greater 

 coverts and outer edges of exposed tertials white (or rosy). Bill dusky: feet 

 blackish. Adult female: Similar to male but rosy replaced by dingy yellow (vary- 



