FUIXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES — HESPERIPIION A. 175 



tains clown to Fort Thorn, Xew ^Mexico. I have not myself seen them in 

 the State, bnt saw the feathers of one recently killed at the summit of the 

 Sierra Ne^'ada, hit. 39°, in September, 18G3. 



In the north they are not uncommon, hut keep so high among the cotton- 

 woods and pines that they are rarely obtained. They do not seem to come 

 down near tlie coast, even at the Columl)ia Eiver, and in this State have 

 never been met with in the Coast liauge of mountains. They feed chiefly 



on the seeds of pines, spruces, and cottonwood pojilars, occasionally seeking 

 other seeds nearer the ground. "When feeding they are very silent and diffi- 

 cult to perceive, but when they fly from one place to another they utter a 

 loud call-note. In spring they have a rather short but melodious song, re- 

 sembling that of the robin or black-headed "rosbeak. Their nest and e""s 

 are still undescribed. Dr. Townsend found them numerous at Fort Van- 

 couver in May, and they were then (|uite tame, active, and noisy the whole 

 day.* 



In examining a large series of this species, in the Smithsonian Museum, 

 from diflerent localities, jMr. IJ. Eidgway has noted the existence of two 

 strongly marked A-arieties, both represented at the lieginning of this article. 

 One of these, figured on the preceding page, has a stouter bill, liroader patch 

 of frontal yellow, and the outer tail feathers spotted with white on the 

 iujier webs at end. This style appears to belong to the northern parts of 

 America, coming into the United States only in winter. The other, figured 

 above, is the variety belonging to and resident on the table-lands of Mex- 



* IL sprripliomi irnjipitina. Since writing tlic previous parai:;'rn]ili I liave met witli a flock of 

 about ten intlivicliials that wintered near Santa Crnz, remaining until the end of April, 1866. 

 Their favorite resort was a small grove of alders and willows, close to the town, where their loud 

 call-note could he heard at all times of the day, though I never heard them sing. When tlie 

 herbage began to grow in sjiring, their favorite food was the young leaves of various annual 

 weeds that sjiroiited uji under the .shade of the trees. They then fed on the buds of the " box 

 elder" (.Voj/ok/o), and freipiented the large pear-trees in the old mission garden, probably to eat 

 their buds. They were generally very tame, allowing an approach to within a few yards of them 

 when feeding. (Cooper.) 



