EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. a9 
204a. Chondestes grammica strigata. 
Western Lark Finch. 
I am informed by Prof. Evermann that this species is a very common 
winter resident of Ventura County, Cal., but most of them go farther 
north to breed. He states that they begin nesting about the middle of 
April. They were found nesting in live oaks, sycamores, orange and 
lemon trees, at heights varying from five to twenty-five feet above the 
ground. One nest was found on the ground. The eggs were from four 
to six in number, usually five. The color is about the same as those of 
C. grammica, possibly a little darker shaded. 
2406. Pipilo fuscus crissalis. 
Californian Brown Towhee. 
This species breeds very abundantly in Southern California. It nests 
rather early, as young birds at least a week old were found April 3d by 
Prof. Evermann. A set of eggs were taken the same day. The nest is 
usually built in a sage greasewood, or cactus, one to five feet from the 
ground.. They are, however, found nesting in live oaks, ten to fifteen 
feet from the ground. 
245. Zamelodia melanocephala. 
Black-headed Grosbeak. 
In California this bird is quite common. They begin to nest about 
the first of April—nesting abundantly in the willow and water-mootic 
copes near Santa Clara River and among the live oaks along the small 
creeks. The nests are placed from five to twenty feet from the ground. 
The eggs are invariably four, of a greenish-blue, dotted with drab and 
lilac sometimes, and most usually forming a confluent ring about the larger 
end. A set of four eggs before me give the following measurements: .96 
iyen07, «90 by 66, ..o6 by ..61, 705 by .66. 
246.  Gutraca caerulea. 
Blue Grosbeak. 
T. D. Perry, of Savannah, Ga., in ‘‘The Young Oologist ” for Novem- 
ber, 1884, makes the following observations concerning the nesting habits 
of this bird: ‘‘ They commence to build early in May. I have found 
their nests as early as May 11th with eggs slightly incubated. They gen- 
erally choose a low, swampy place to build, and seem to prefer pine sap- 
lings to all other places. They build a neat and compact nest, composed 
outwardly of snake-skin (I have never found one that did not contain one), 
withered leaves and plants, and lined with fine fibrous roots. Lay three 
