286 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 23 7 part i 



that, "In early summer when nesting duties were engaging their 

 attention, single birds or pairs were seen as a rule; but later, after 

 the broods had been reared, family parties were encountered." In 

 the San Bernardino Mountains Grinnell (1908) says: "Small com- 

 panies composed solely of male birds were often met with, feeding in 

 open places among the pines. These bachelor parties were in evi- 

 dence all through June and July at the same time that other indi- 

 viduals were paired off and occupied with their nests and young." 



Taylor (1912) referring to this species in northern Humboldt 

 County, Nev., observed that "Especially cold mornings seemed to 

 drive the birds to slightly lower altitudes." He also states that 

 "It was very easy to approach the females and juvenals, but the 

 brightly colored males were more cautious." In commenting on 

 this species in New Mexico Mrs. Bailey (1928) says: "During the 

 month of October, 1904, when Mr. Gaut found the Cassins quite 

 numerous in the Manzano Mountains, they stayed most of the 

 time in the spruce timber, usually in company with Crossbills. 

 During the middle of the day flocks could always be seen around 

 the springs on the slopes of the mountains." 



Voice. — Those familiar with the house finch and purple finch agree 

 that the song of the Cassin's finch seems to combine the qualities of 

 the songs of both these species yet differs in a manner that is diflScult 

 to describe. Grinnell and Storer (1924) write: "The song of the 

 Cassin Purple Finch is more varied than that of either the Cahfornia 

 Purple Finch or the linnet, yet it reminds one strongly of the linnet's 

 song. There are fuU rounded notes and also some 'squeals' like those 

 in the song of the linnet. On the other hand Mrs. Wheelock (1912) 

 describes the song of this species as "rich and melodious, of a softer 

 quality than that of the California purple finch, but less varied. Its 

 call-note is a clear 'cheep.' " 



Referring to Cassin's finch in Colorado, Minot (1880) says: "To 

 the northward a common summer resident up to 10,000 feet, often 

 singing from a high perch almost identically with the Eastern bird 

 [probably the eastern purple finch]. May 31, a large flock appeared 

 at Boulder in the fields, feeding on the ground, springing up with a 

 che'-u-we'-u as they flew, and all alighting in one tree, where, in a 

 subdued way, they warbled, or almost twittered, in a confused chorus." 

 Taylor (1912) records individuals of this species in fuU song in north- 

 ern Nevada on June 24: "They continued singing until about the 

 last of July when they became very quiet and correspondingly incon- 

 spicuous. Our observations with regard to the singing powers of the 

 young males in the dull plumage of the first winter accord with those 

 of Ridgway (1877), who asserts that they sing almost if not quite as 



