FRTNGILLID^E — THE FINCHES. 591 



like those of the Peucwa and of Lciicostictc griscinucha, and, like them, white 

 and nnspotted. 



This species was first described by Mr. (^assin from specimens obtained in 

 Western Texas by John W. Au(hibon, and its habitat was at first supposed to 

 be restricted to the valleys of the liio (Irande and the Gila, but more recent 

 explorations show it to liave a much wider distriljution. It is found from 

 "VVestern Texas through part of IMexico, New Mexico, tlie Indian Territory, 

 and Arizona, to Southern California, and towards the north througliout the 

 region of tlie Great Basin to an extent not yet fully determined. In portions 

 at least of this territory it is migratory, and only resident in the summer 

 months. 



Mr. Dresser found this Sparrow very abundant during July and August in 

 the mesquite thickets in the town of Matamoras. In December it was 

 equally common at Eagle Pass, but at San Antonio it was quite a rare bird. 

 He only observed it on two or three occasions at a rancho on the INIedina 

 Eiver, and late in June a nest and four eggs were obtained. Between Laredo 

 and jMatamoi-as, after crossing the Nueces, he found these birds very numer- 

 ous, and near Laredo met with several nests, some containing yoUng and some 

 eggs nearly hatched. One taken on the 20th of July contained tliree fresh 

 eggs, probably indicating a second laying. This nest was in a low bush, 

 carefully concealed. It was composed of straws and lined with fine roots. 

 The eggs, when fresh, were nearly white, with a delicate bluish tinge. On 

 his journey down the river lie found many nests, all empty or containing 

 young. Some of these were partially lined with cotton. Though not wild, 

 the birds were so restless that he found it difficult to shoot them. Dr. 

 Woodhouse obtained one specimen on the Eio Pedro, in Texas. 



In Mexico tliis Sparrow was found by Lieutenant Couch to be numer- 

 ous in parts of Tamaulipas, Xueva Leon, Coahuila, and other States on the 

 Eio Grande, immediately south and west of the limits of the territory of the 

 United States. It was first seen at Santa Eosalio, and specimens obtained, 

 though none were noticed at Brownsville, only twenty miles east, during a 

 month's residence. At Chareo Escondido, forty miles farther in the interior, 

 it was very plentiful, and although it was early in March, had already reared 

 a brood of young, one specimen appearing to be a young bird only a few 

 weeks old. Its favorite home appeared to be the scattered mesquite, on 

 the plains east of the Sierra Madre. During the warm hours of the day it 

 does not seek the shade, but may always be found chirping and hopping from 

 one bush to another. South of Cadoreita the birds disappeared, but after a 

 month's loss of their company he again met with them among some flowering 

 Leguminosa, between Pesquieria and Einconada. He thus found it several 

 times entirely absent from districts of considerable extent, but always reap- 

 pearing again throughout his journey. The usual note of this bird, at the sea- 

 son in which he met with it, was a simple chirp ; Init on one occasion, having 

 halted during a norther in Tamaulipas, he heard a "gay little black-throated 



