1912 BIRDS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 75 



mer almost wholly confined to the willow regions, but in winter congregates 

 in flocks and wanders everywhere, even into the canons of the mountains 

 where it feeds on the buds and seeds of sycamores and alders. Breeds most 

 plentifully in May and June, though fresh eggs may be found from early April 

 to late July. Originally described from Pasadena (Auk xiv, 1897, 397). I 

 noted fresh eggs at Rixby, Los Angeles County. April 6. 1904, and found two 

 nests, each containing four fresh eggs, near Compton, Los Angeles County. 

 Inly 24, 1910. A. M. Ingersoll informs me that the Willow Goldfinch breeds 

 commonly in certain localities in San Diego County, south to the Mexican 

 line. 



249. (530a) Astragalinus psaltria hesperophilus Oberholser. Green- 

 backed Goldfinch. 



Abundant summer resident of the mesa and foothill regions and up to 

 3000 feet in the mountain canons. Less common in the lower country and 

 up to 6400 feet in the mountains-. In winter, distributed in flocks over the 

 whole lower country. Breeds most commonly from April to July, but eggs are 

 occasionally found much later. Xests plentifully among the evergreens and 

 shrubbery in parks and gardens. J. Grinnell noted eggs near Pasadena as 

 early as March 22, and took a set of three, slightly incubated, October 21, 

 1895 (Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad. Sci.. 1898. 35). 



250. (531) Astragalinus lawrencei (Cassin). Lawrence Goldfinch. 

 Common summer resident of the mesas and foothills up to 7000 feet 



in the mountains, occasionally occurring as high as 8500 feet. Rare in winter, 

 the most of the species migrating south, but rather common in early spring. 

 Originally described from specimens taken at Sonoma and San Diego (Proc. 

 Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. v. 1850. 103). H. S. Swarth found this bird quite 

 abundant at the head of the Arroyo Seco, on the slope of Mt. Strawberry. 

 Los Angeles County, October 19 to 26, 1900. Mr. Swarth also saw a pair 

 near Los Angeles, February 12. 1900, and saw another pair in the same 

 locality, February 23, following. W. O. Emerson noted a small flock in the 

 Vblcan Mountains, San Diego County, in late January (Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. 

 it, 1887, 422). In June, 1907, I found it common at Bear Valley, 6750 feet 

 altitude in the San Bernardino Mountains. Specimens taken showed that they 

 were breeding. Breeds mostly in May, in the lower country. Extreme 

 nesting dates are as follows : Five fresh eggs taken by G. F. Morcom at Los 

 Angeles, April 23, 1892 (Grinnell, Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1898, 35). 

 and four eggs, incubation begun, taken by W. M. Pierce near Claremont, Los 

 Angeles County, July 5. 1903. 



251. (533) Spinus pinus (Wilson). Pine Siskin. 



Common summer resident of the mountains above 5000 feet. Irregular 

 visitant to the lower country in migrations and in winter, south to Lower 

 California and Mexico. Noted by J. Grinnell as abundant near Pasadena 

 during February and March. 1892, and in the vicinity of El Monte as late 

 as March 20, 1897 (Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad. Sci.. 1898. 35). According to 



