45(5 ORNiTiiOLor.v. 



August, wlieii they became gradually common in the lower canons of tlio 

 East Humboldt Mountahis. They were usually observed in small flocks 

 among tlie willows or aspens, and uttered frequently, especially while on 

 the wing, a soft whistling note, somewhat like chih, chih, chih, quite unlike 

 the note of any other bird of our acquaintance. 



List of specimens. 



884, S ad.: Willows, foot of East Ilimiboklt Mountains (Cauip 21), August 20, 

 1SG8. — lOJ — (?) — 25. JJili, uniform liorasepia; tarsi and toes, gray isli sepia; iris, 

 lawiiiuber. 



[Tbis specinieu is remarkable for its miusually small bill] 



LOXIA LEUCOPTERA. 

 Wliilc-wiiiKod Crossbill. 



Loxia Icucoptcra, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1, 1788, 844 — B. B. & 11., Uist. N. Am. Birds, 



I, 1874, 488, pi. xxui, figs. 2, 3.— CouES, Oheck List, 1873, No. 142; Birds 



N.W., 1874, 110. 

 Curviroxira Icucoptcra, WiLSON, Am. Orn., IV% 1811, 48, pi. 31, lij;. 3.— I'.Aiun. 



Birds N. Am., 1858, 427 ; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 319.— Cooper, Orn. Cal., 



I, 140.— CoUES, Key, 1872, 129, fig. 70, 



On the 12th of August, a male of wdiat was probably this species, but 

 in very iinusualh' brilliant plumage, was seen among the cedars on the 

 eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains. It is therefore probable that this 

 species breeds sparingly on the higher portion of the loftier ranges.' In 

 September it was common in the lower canons on the eastern slope of the 

 lOast Humboldt ^lountains, where it inhabited the same localities as the 

 more rare L. amcricana. The note of this Crossbill is a plaintive week, 

 very different from the hurried chih, chili of the other species, or, indeed, 

 the note of any other bird known to us. 



' When first seen, this individual called instantly to mind the adult male of 

 Pyranga erylhrojnclcvna, of IMexico and Central America, so rich and uniform was the 

 bright carniiuc red of the plumage, while the pure white wing bands contrasted con- 

 spicuously with the deep black of the wings and tail. • It is scarcely i>ossible, however, 

 that it could have been this southern Tanager, which has not yet been taken near our 

 southern border. It should be considered, however, that a s|)ecimen of r.ialtriiiants 

 mchinotin, also a Mexican bird, not before detected in the United States, was observed 

 in the same locality at nearly the same time. 



