58 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
He obtained the first full complement of its eggs early in April. Of their 
nesting habits he says: ‘‘ They will place the nest anywhere, from the 
limb of any tree to the side of a hay-stack, or a tin can ina porch.” The 
eggs, usually five in number, are of a pale bluish-white, marked with 
spots and lines of a dark brown or black, and measure .80 to .75 in ~ 
length, with an average breadth of .60. 
181. Astragahnus tristes. 
American Goldfinch; Yellow-bird. 
In ‘‘ The Young Oologist’’* for November, 1884, Mr. Geo. F. Breu- 
ninger, of Beattie, Kansas, truthfully writes: ‘‘ Long after all other birds 
have sought their sunny haunts of the South, the Goldfinch is still to be 
seen with us and cheering us with -his sweet songs far into the cooler days 
of autumn. I have seen flocks of hundreds of them in mid-winter when 
the ground was covered with snow, but they seemed to be as merry as 
ever picking the seeds from the thistle and the wild sunflower.” 
This species is also known by the name of ‘‘ Lettuce Bird.”” In his 
‘“Report on the Birds of Ohio,” Dr. Wheaton has the following on its 
nesting habits: ‘‘ The Yellow-bird breeds late, with us, usually in July. 
The nest is built in trees. Often the shade trees or fruit trees in cities are 
chosen, and they appear to be the only birds breeding with us whose nest 
is ever placed ina peach tree. It is usually from fifteen to twenty feet 
from the ground, and built of moss, grass and small vegetable fibres, 
thickly lined with vegetable down. The eggs are five, light bluish-white, 
unmarked. They measure about .65 by .52.”’ 
183. Astragalnus Lawrence. 
Lawrence’s Goldfinch. 
Lawrence’s Goldfinch breeds abundantly in Northern California, placing 
the nest usually near the extremity of the limb of a live oak, where it is well 
concealed and hard tofind. They nest in April. Prof. Evermann says he 
found the first full set of eggs April 6. The nest is composed of wool, 
fine grasses, down and feathers, closely matted together and lined with 
the long hair of the larger animals. They are sometimes made entirely 
of grasses. The eggs are from four to five in number, and are pure white. 
Four typical eggs before me measure as follows: .62 by .47, .64 by .45, 
no2- by ,:44, :62 by':48. 
* “The Young Oologist,’”’? a monthly magazine devoted to the study of the Nests and Eggs of Birds: 
Published by Frank H. Lattin, Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. ; 
