CAKPODACUS CASSINI. 457 



CaUPODACUS CASSINI. 

 Casein's Pui'pic Finrb. 



Carpodacm casshii, Baird, Pr. Ac. NaL Sci. Piiiliul., lSo4, 119 ; B. N. Am., 18."i8, 

 414; Catal., I80O, No. 307.— Cooper, Orii. Cal., I, 155.— Coues, Key, 1872^ 

 128; Chock List, 1872, No. 140; B. N.W., 1874, lOO.—B. B. & R., nist.N. Am. 

 B., I, 1874, 4G0, pi. xxt, flgs. 4, 5.— [Iensuaw, 1875, 210. 



Although this Finch was observed to be essentiall}' pinicoline, it was 

 occasionally found among deciduous trees when such occurred in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of coniferous forests, this being notably the case during the 

 breeding-season. In the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada, near Carson 

 City, these birds Avere first observed on the 21st of March, at which date 

 large flocks were found among the trees. They continued to increase in 

 abundance until about tlie middle of April, when they gradually dispersed 

 through the forest, the greater nundjer going higher up the mountains. At 

 the time of their arrival they were in full song, and continued so durino- the 

 season, and it was noticed that the young males, in the plumage of the 

 females (possibly the latter also), sang almost if not quite as vigorously' 

 and sweetly as those in the adult livery. In certain localities on the eastern 

 slope of tlie Ruby Moutitains they were quite abundant on several occa- 

 sions, the flocks consisting chiefly of young-of-the-year, which, with their 

 parents, had apparently come from the higher coniferous woods near the 

 summits of the range, since no nests were found among the cedar g,nd pinon 

 groves of the lower slopes. In the pine-belt of the Wahsatch and Uintah 

 Mountains they were abundant from May to August, during the whole of 

 which time they were nesting. Most of the nests fomid were among the as- 

 pens and narrow-leafed cotton-woods {Popidus iremulohlvs and P. angudifolhi) 

 of the higher portions of the ravines, where these trees replaced the conifer.s. 



The song of this species is clear and sweet, and is even superior to 



that of the Eastern Purple Finch {C. intrpureus), which, however, it greatly 



resembles. Many passages are loud and clear, and so much like the notes 



of certain Vireones that we were several times led h\ them in search of a 



new Greenlet. Other portions of its song, which was greatly varied, were 



sweet, .soft warblings, and tender, whistling calls. 



List of specimens. 

 44U, (Jarf.; Carson City, Nevada, March 21, 18G8. O^—ll- ;}j^_3,",,. Bill, uiii- 



