FRINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES — GUIRACA. 



231 



Everywhere a shy and solitary bird, this brilliant songster is rarely seen, 

 although probalily scattered throughout California in the warmer months. 

 I noticed the first one at Fort ]\Iojave, ^May Gth, and afterwards saw many 

 more frequenting the trees and buslies along the river, and singing a lively 

 song, resembling tliat of the Carpodavus frontalis. I have also seen them at 

 Los Angeles and at Santa Barbara, and they were found at Pit Eiver, in the 



G. cffrulea. 



extreme northeast corner of the State, by Dr. Newberry. Their nest, as 

 seen in the Eastern States, is made in a low bush, and composed of fine 

 dry grass, lined with delicate root-hbres or horsehair. The eggs are about 

 four (bluish-white), and they raise two broods in the season. (Nuttall.) 



They frequent the banks of streams crossing the great interior jilains and 

 deserts, where there is little vegetation, except a few bushes, and where such 

 brilliant birds seem quite out of place. 



