116 CHRYSOMITEIS TRISTIS CHBYSOMITRIS PSALTRIA. 



Hob. — North America generally. United States chiefly in winter, in roving flocks, 

 hut breeds down to sea-level, as far south at least as Massachusetts (Coues, Pr. Ess. 

 lust. V, 1868, 280 ; Mayn., Nat. Guide, 1870, 110), and iu alpine regions much further. 

 Soutli along the Rocky Mouutaius iuto Mexico. 



Lieutenant Warren's Expedition. — 5393-94, Little Missouri River (September). 



Later Expeditions. — 62339-40, Idaho, iu July aud August. 



Not obtained by Captain Raynolds' Expedition. 



The erratic movements of this species, according to exigencies of the 

 wetither and consequent scarcity of food, render it difficult to define its 

 limits with i^recision. It sometimes appears iu localities where it was 

 before unknown, aud at unwonted times. 



Prof. Sumichrast states [1. c.) that it is found in the alpine region of 

 Vera Cruz to the height of 2,000 metres, and that he thinks it does not 

 descend below 1,000 metres. 



In Colorado, according to Mr. Trippe, "the Pine Finch is not very 

 common. It breeds from 7,000 feet up to timber-line. I did not observe 

 this species during winter, but think it probably remains nearly station- 

 ary, like the Pine Grosbeak and Eed Crossbill. It frequents the pine 

 trees principally, but often descends to the weeds and thistles, acting 

 precisely like the Yellow-bird. In spring it sings very agreeably, very 

 much like the latter bird, but in a lower voice ; and like it, has the habit 

 of singing in a lively, rambling sort of way, for an hour or more at 

 a time." The eggs of this species are pale greenish, speckled with rusty- 

 brown, 0.70 by 0.50. Dr. Brewer describes a neat nest of pine twigs 

 lined with hair. 



CHRYSOMITEIS TRISTIS, (Linn.) Bp. 

 Americau Goldfincli ; Tliistle-Inrd ; Tellow-bircl. 



Fringilla tristris, Linn., Svst. Nat. i, 17G6, 320.— Gm., Syst. Nat. i, 1788, 907.— WiLS., Am. 

 Orn. i, 1808, 20, iol. 1, f. 2.— Bp., Am. Oru. i, p. 57, pi. 8, f. 4.— Bi'., Syn. 1828, 

 111.— Aud., Orn.'Biog. i, 1831, 172 ; v, 510 ; pi. 33.— Nutt., Man. i, 1832, 507. 



Carduelis tristis, Br., Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 96.— Aud., Syn. 1839, 116 ; B. Am. iii, 1841, 129, 

 pi. 181.— GiR., B. L. I. 1844, 117.-MAXiiM., J. f. O. vi, 1858, 281. 



Chri/somitris tristis, Bp., List, 1838, 33 ; Consp. Av. i, 1850, 517.— Bd., B. N. A. 18.58, 421.— 

 Coop. & Suck., N. H. Wash. Ter. 1859, 197.— Allen, Bull. M. C. Z. iii, 1872, 

 176.— Coop., B. Cal. i, 1871, 167.— Stev., U. S. Geol. Surv. Ter. 1870, 464.— 

 Merr., ihid. 1872, 679.— Aiken, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1872, 199 (Wyoming).— Coues, 

 Key, 1872, 131, pi. 3, f. 7, 8, 9, 10.— B. B. & R., N. A. B. i, 1874, 471, pi. 22, f. 7, 8; 

 and of late writers generally. 



AstragaUnus tristis, Cab., Mus. Heiu. i, 1851, 159.— Allen, Pr. Ess. Inst, iv, 1864, 69.— 

 Coues, Pr. Ess. List, v, 1868, 280.— Russ, J. f. O. 1871, 19. 



Carduelis amcricana, Sw. & Rich., F. B. A. ii, 1831, 268. 



Hah. — North America generally. 



Lieutenant Warren's Expedition.— 482^-25, Running Water ; 4659, Fort Pierre; 5391, 

 Fort Lookout ; 5392, Bhickfoot country. 



Later Expeditions.— Q0:i88-9l, 60970, Wyoming ; 61666-67, 62335-38, Utah aud Idaho. 

 Not obtaiued by Captaiu Raynolds' Expedition. 



The egg is white, with a rosy blush when fresh, and usually the faint- 

 est possible bluish hue when blown. The size is about 0.C5 by 0.52. 

 The egg of C. laicrencei is not distinguishable, but may average rather 

 smaller. The habits of both species are essentially the same. 



CHRYSOMITRIS PSALTRIA, (Say) Bp. 

 Arkansas Goldfinch; Mexican Siskin. 



a. i)saliria. 



Fringilla psaltria, Say, Long's Esped. ii, 1823, 40.— Bp., Am. Orn. i, 1825, 54, pi. 6, f. 3; 

 Syn. 1828, 111.— Nutt., Man. i, 1832, 510.— Aud., Oru. Biog. v, 1839, 85, pi. 394. 

 Carduelis psaltria, Aud., Syn. 1839, 117 ; B. Am. iii, 1841, 134, pi. 183. 



