SAN CLEMENTE HOUSE FINCH 317 



In commenting on the status of this subspecies, A. J. van Rossem 

 (1925) remarks: "For some years past, the standing of Carpodacufi 

 mexicanus dementis Mcarns has sufTercd assault by various wi'iters," 

 and then goes on to say: "The extent of red or yellov/ on the males, 

 the proportion of red to yellow males, and the measurements of wing 

 and tail in either sex are all items to which no diagnostic value can 

 be attached. The tarsi and feet of dementis are slightly heavier in 

 appearance but are not longer than in frontalis, and, considering the 

 variation displayed, this tendency wall not bear stressing. The char- 

 acters which appear to provide the most secure basis for differenti- 

 ating the island race are the decidedly heavier bill, the intensity or 

 brilhancy of coloration in the males and the heavier streaking of the 

 females," 



There is very little to be said about the habits of this island form, 

 which do not seem to differ much from those of its mainland relative, 



A. Braziar Howell (1917) says of it: "The breeding season is a long 

 one, and at least three broods must be raised each year. * * * Nest- 

 ing sites originally were in cactus plants or in niches of cliffs, but the 

 birds are now taking advantage of the chance to occupy more shel- 

 tered situations in buildings and sheds, where such occur. * * * 

 Linnets are fond of congregating about the opuntia patches, on the 

 ripe fruit of which they feed extensively." 



Earher he says: "Two phases of coloration occur in this form, the 

 usual red phase and another in which the red is replaced by yellow. 

 Every intergi'adation between these two is encountered. I have seen 

 specimens in which the yellow was of very limited extent, a male 

 marked like a female except for a faint red tinge on the chest, a 

 female showing a trace of red, and another with a tinge of yellow." 



The measurements of 40 eggs average 19.6 by 14.3 millimeters; 

 the eggs showing the four extremes measure S2.5 by 14,9, 19.4 by 

 15.3, 17.9 by 14.9, and 19.3 by 1S.5 milHmeters. 



Distribution 



Range. — The San Clemente house jBnch is resident on Santa Barbara, 

 San Nicolas, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente Islands off southern 

 California and Los Coronodos Islands oft" northwestern Baja Cali- 

 fornia. 



Egg dates. — Santa Catalina Islands : 12 records, March 15 to July 13 ; 

 6 records, April 8 to April 23. 



San Clemente Island: 21 records, February 7 to May 30; 15 records, 

 March 23 to March 30. 



