7u THE ALASKAN PINE GROsIeaK. 



It is nut ;i little surprising at first thouglit, tliat tlic habits of these birds 

 are best kiunvn in our larger cities, Seattle, Taconia, Spokane, ami Portland. 

 Why they should Ix; esjiecially attracted to them, it is hard to say, unless it \x 

 that they love the din of urlxin life, which they help so valiantly to promote. 

 But it is easy to see why they are more noticeable there; iur their showy 

 and patchy coloration marks tiiem as distinguished visitors in t<jwn. whereas 

 in the forest their colors so melt into and haruK^nize with their surrouniiings 

 that it is dilVicult io follow their movements. 



These tirosljeaks, or New World Hawfinches, are not to Ix; commended 

 as horticulturists. In winter they feed largely upon the ground, gleaning 

 fallen seeils and fruits; and are csiiecially fond of the winged key of the large- 

 leafed maple (Acer imuropliylhtm). They <lrop down to such a feast one by 

 one from the branches al)ove, and it is amusing to note how the loud cracking 

 of seeds is intersi>crscd with music. A little later the birds devote themselves 

 to swelling buds, ami here too the maple is a favorite; tho ash, alder, flowering 

 currant, and a dozen more are not disdained. The damage done is not 

 considerable; for the birds, viewed in the large, are not numerous enough, all 

 told, to be taken seriously; but viewed in the concrete, the snip, snip, of those 

 mandibles in the lilac bushes is no idle joy. 



It may be that the key of high C sharp, or whatever it l)e. staccato con 

 uioto. is the accepted love note, and that the green-liveried swain hurls 

 declarations at his enamorata, like Samson in Handel's oratorio, the live-long 

 year. Anyway, his exertions are redoubled in early June, and he charges about 

 in a reckless frenzy which should make the city gape. June. 1906. was 

 memorable to us for the abundance of these Grosl>eaks in the vicinity of 

 Spokane. The very air of Cannon Hill and Hangman's Creek seemed charged 

 with expectation of Grosl)eaks' nests. I'ut they were not for us. Xor has 

 the nest yet l>een taken in Washington. 



No. 24. 



ALASKAN PINE GROSBEAK. 



A. O. V. No. 515c. Pinicola eniicleator alasconsis Riil^way. 



Synonym. — Pi.nk IUi.i.iim 11. 



Description. — Adult male: In liiRhcst ])luniagc rosy red (poppy rod) ; back 

 with dusky ceiUcrs of feathers; lower belly and under tail-coverts ashy gray — this 

 high i>luniagc is the exception; in general the rosy gives place to ashy gray in 

 varying ]>roportions ; wings and tail ashy dusky; tips of middle and greater 

 coverts and outer edges of ex]K>sed tertials white (or rosy). Rill dtisky ; feet 

 blackish. .Idult female: Similar to male but rosy replaced by dingy yellow ( vary- 



