GOLDFINCHES 437 



On June 23, 1920, a nest of this goldfinch was under construction 7 feet 

 above the ^ound on a lower outswaying branch of a lodgepole pine grow- 

 ing on the floor of Yosemite Valley. The female was gathering material 

 and the male was attending her closely ; but when they visited the site he 

 did not get into the nest, as she did. 



On July 14, 1920, two nests of the Green-backed Goldfinch were found 

 at Dudley, 6 miles east of Coulterville. One was 18 feet above the ground 

 in an upward-shooting 'water-sprout' of a pear tree and the other at 

 an equal height and similarly situated in an apple tree. The eggs num- 

 bered 3 and 4, respectively, and were all fresh. 



Throughout the year the Green-backed Goldfinch feeds very largely 

 on seeds of herbaceous plants, shelling them out deftly while clinging to 

 the dry flower heads. Plants of the sunflower-thistle order (Asterales) 

 furnish the greater portion of the forage of these, our smallest finches. 

 The dry nature of this food evidently makes it necessary for the birds 

 to drink frequently for they are regularly seen visiting watering places 

 to quench their thirst. About human habitations they are often seen 

 drinking from dripping hydrants. In doing this a bird will perch on 

 the faucet, lean downward, and, maintaining its balance by an occasional 

 flutter of the wings, catch the drops of water as they emerge from the 

 spout. 



Law^rence Goldfinch. Astragalinus lawrencei fCassin) 



Field characters. — Half size of Juiico. Plumage gray-appearing; yellow on under 

 surface restricted to breast; outer surface of wing marked with yellow. Male: Chin, 

 face, and top of head, black; vring and tail feathers chiefly black, the former showing 

 yellow and the latter white in flight (flg. 53c); rump yellowish. Female: Lacks any 

 black on head; general tone of color grayish brown except for yellow on wings.; white 

 markings of male dully represented. Flight like that of other goldfinches. Voice : Song 

 of male weak but varied and distinctive. Call notes single, low, and with a tinkling 

 quality. 



Occurrence. — Uncommon summer visitant. Two individuals seen at Pleasant Valley, 

 May 23, 1915, and specimens taken at Smith Creek, east of Coulterville, August 5 and 9, 

 1920. 



The Lawrence Goldfinch is least common of the three species of gold- 

 finches to be found in the Yosemite region. It was recorded by us upon 

 only the three occasions above specified. The black chin patch of the male, 

 the yellow instead of white edgings on the wings in both sexes, and the 

 generally gray instead of yellow tinge of the plumag:e, all aid in dis- 

 tinguishing this goldfinch from its two relatives. With each of our three 

 species of goldfinches, the song and call notes are so distinctive as to 

 provide, after once learned, the readiest means of identification. 



Mr. Donald D. McLean reports that this species nests occasionally on 

 the Dudley ranch, 6 miles east of Coulterville. 



