FRINGILLIDJ5 — THE FINCHES. 543 



yellow on the head and Mdng. The much sliorter tail and enth'e absence of 

 rufous distinguish it from the spotted Mclospizas. In shape the bill is like 

 that of Ammodromus caudacutus, but it is larger ; the head lacks the yel- 

 low, etc. 



In some specimens the streaks on the back are almost obsolete. 



Habits. So far as is known, this bird seems to ha^■e a somewhat restricted 

 habitat, being apparently confined to the sea-coast of Southern California. 

 There it was first met with by Dr. Heermann, in the neighborhood of San 

 Diego, and was described by ]Mr. Cassin as an Ammodromus, with which 

 genus of birds it seemed to liave many peculiarities in common. Dr. Heer- 

 mann first met with this bird in 1851, on the shores of the bay of San Diego, 

 in company with other species, apparently in search of grass-seed. After- 

 wards, in the l*acific Kailroad Survey, with Lieutenant Williamson, he again 

 met with these birds in considerable numbers at Santa Barbara and San Pe- 

 dro. In all the places in which he met with it he found it frequenting low 

 sandy beaches, and the heavy sedge-grass which abounds on the shores. On 

 the former it seemed to be feeding on marine insects and seeds thrown up 

 by the tide, and in the latter to find places for easy and immediate conceal- 

 ment when alarmed or pursued. Naturally it appeared to be a quiet and 

 unsuspicious bird. He heard it utter no other note than a short sharp chirp. 



Dr. Cooper thinks this species has a much greater affinity to the Ammo- 

 drami than to the Passcrculi, both in its bill and claws, as well as in its 

 habits. He found them very abundant, both at San Pedro and San Diego, 

 at all seasons, and he does not think that they migrate at all from those 

 localities. He found them frequenting the shores of the bays and the sea- 

 beaches. They also came confidently and familiarly about the buildings near 

 the water, feeding on any seeds or insects they could find. On the beach 

 they run along the sand, in the rows of drifted sea-weeds, seeking their 

 food, and rarely take to flight unless surprised, and then only fly a short 

 distance. Dr. Cooper has never known them to alight on any bush, nor does 

 he think that they have any song. The only note he has ever heard them 

 utter is a short chirp. At San Pedro he saw them, in July, feeding their 

 young, but he has never found a nest that he was certain belonged to this 

 si^ecies. 



Dr. Coues found this bird abundant in Southern California, where it kept 

 among the thick weeds of the dry plain, and was much on the ground, where 

 it ran as easily as a Pipilo, often flying up into the bushes and resting there 

 quietly. They were to be seen also in great numbers sunning themselves 

 and catching flies on the piles of lumber on the wharf, so tame as to be almost 

 liable to be struck by a cane. 



It is a winter resident at Cape St. Lucas, wliere Mr. Xantus found them 

 abundant. They were not seen there in summer, though it is probable they 

 reside on the shores in its neighborhood. Their nest and eggs remain 

 unknown. 



