CAi;PODACUS (JASSINI. 457 



Cakpodacus cassini. 



CassJsj's Pwa-julc Ficich. 



CarjMydacvs cassthi, Baird, Vv. Ac. Nat. Sci. Pliilad., 18.54, 119 ; B. N. Am., 1S5S, 

 414; Catal., lSo9, No. .307.— Cooper, Orii. Cal., I, 155.— CouKS, Key, 1872, 

 128; Uhock List, 1872, No. 140 ; B. N.W., 1874, 100.— B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. 

 B., J, 1874, 4G0, pi. XXI, figs. 4, 5.— FIensiiaw, 1875, 240. 



Although tliis Finch was ob.served to bo es.seiitially pinicoHne, 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 were fii'st observed on the 21st of ]\Iarch, at which date 

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

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

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

 the time of their ai-rival they were in full song, and continued so during the 

 season, and it was noticed that the 5'oung 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 the Ruby Mountains they were quite abundant on several occa- 

 sions, the flocks consisting chiefly of young-of-the-ycar, which, with tluiir 

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

 summits of the range, since no nests were found among the cedar and })iuou 

 groves of the lower slopes. In the pine-belt of the Vv^disatch and Uintah 

 j\Ioimtains they were abundant from May to August, during the whole of 

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

 pens and narrow-leafed cotton-woods {Populns tremuhides and P. angustifolia) 

 of the higher portions of the ravines, where these trees replaced the conifers. 



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

 that of the Eastern Purple Y\\\c\\\C. 2)urpureus), which, however, it greatly 

 ix'sembles. Many passages are loud and clear, and so much like the noivA 

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

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

 sweet, soft warblings, and tender, whistling calls. 

 Lkt of specimens. 



441), (? «'?.; Car.soii City, Nevada, March 21,1808. 0§— 1 l—3ji— .!,',.. Bill, uiii 



