ARIZONA PYRRHULOXIA 35 



Both species have calls that differ greatly. * * * The Pyrrhuloxia has a harsh 

 chattering call that is used in territorial disputes and as a contact device be- 

 tween members of a pair. 



Songs of both species were heard as early as the second week in February. It 

 was not until the middle of March that singing in both species reached its peak. 

 Since nesting began in May, song probably served in mating and pair formation 

 as well as in establishment of territory. Singing subsided during the latter stages 

 of incubation and was rarely heard after the young were hatched. Singing was 

 renewed after the first brood became independent if a second brood was at- 

 tempted. Song in September was reduced to only a few scattered half-songs by 

 one or two individuals. 



Enemies. — Dr. Friedmann (1934) mentions two nests of this bird 

 containing cowbirds* eggs. 



Field marks. — According to Mr. Bent, the adult male pyrrhuloxia 

 is conspicuously marked; the dark gray back and pale gray under 

 parts are offset by the crimson crest and the rose-red face and median 

 under parts; even the wings and tail are tinged with red. The female 

 is similar to the male, but there is much less red in the crest, under 

 parts, wings, and tail; the umder parts are buffy brown, with only a 

 suggestion of red. 



I would emphasize, however, that the bill provides the surest field 

 mark. In the summer it is a clear yellow, while that of the cardinal 

 is bright pink, almost a translucent agate pink. The bill of the 

 cardinal retains this color for the entire year, but that of the pyrrhu- 

 loxia, as early as October, changes to brown or horn color. The 

 shape of the bill, too, is distinctive. In fact, when one comes upon 

 an immature bird, the only reliable character is the parrotlike curve 

 and notch of the bill. 



Distribution 



Range. — The Arizona pyrrhuloxia is resident from central southern 

 and southeastern Arizona (Sacaton, Tucson, San Bernardino Ranch) 

 south to northern Nayarit (Acaponeta River) and western Durango 

 (Tamazula) . 



Casual record. — Casual in southern California (Mecca). 



Egg dates. — Arizona: 20 records, April 4 to June 15; 10 records, 

 May 1 1 to May 29. 



PYRRHULOXIA SINUATA PENINSULAE Ridgway 



San Lucas Pyrrhuloxia 



Habits 



This Lower California race is similar in coloration to the mainland 

 race of western Mexico but is decidedly smaller and has a larger bill. 



646-737 — 68 — pt. 1 5 



