THE ALASKAN PINE GROSBEAK. 71 



ing from ()li\e-yclIo\v, o!ivc-t:i\vn_\- and ochraccous to bricky red) and chiefly 

 confined to head. Iiind-neck and upper tail-coverts (where brightest) ; feathers of 

 back frequently tipped witli ochraccous and breast with an ochrey wash. Length 

 about 8.60 (218.4): wins,' 4.60 (117); tail 3.66 (93): bill .=;7 (14.5); tarsus 

 .89 (22.7). 



Recognition Marks. — Chewink size ; large, rounded conical beak ; red and 

 gray col(jration for size di.stinctive. 



Nesting. — "Xcst, composed of a basement of twigs and rootlets within which 

 is a more compact fabric of finer materials. Eggs, usually 4, pale greenish blue, 

 spotted and blotched with dark brown surface markings and lilac shell-spots." 

 Av. size 1.05 X .74 (26.7 -x 18.8). Season: About June ist; one brood. 



General Range. — "Northwestern North America, except Pacific Coast, 

 breeding in interior of .Maska ; south, in winter, to eastern British Columbia. 

 Montana (Bitterroot Valley), etc." (Ridgway). 



Range in Washington. — Reported by Allan Brooks as breeding in the Mt. 

 Baker district (as below ) : should occur upon the timbered lowlands in winter. 



.Authorities. — Allan Brooks in cpist. Dawson, .\uk ^'o!. XX\'. Oct. 1908, 

 p. 4.^-'. 



Specimens. — Prov. 



THIS large and iiandsome Finch is of very irregular occurrence in 

 southern British Columbia excei)ting- the higher mountain ranges, where it 

 breeds. During some winters it is ])resent iniarge numbers, while in others, 

 equally severe, none are seen. 'iMie species was very common throughout the 

 winter of 1906-1907, a very severe one; but in that of 1901-T902, which 

 was notably mild. Pine Grosbeaks were noticed in considerable numl^ers as 

 far soutli as Penticton, 40 miles north of the international boundary, and they 

 undoubtedly occurred much farther south. 



Tlieir food in the winter months is principally berries, but, strange to 

 sav, thev altogether refuse those of the mountain ash. both the introduced and 

 indigenous species. The former is the favorite food of the Eastern Pine 

 Grosbeak thruout the winter in Ontario, but trees loaded with fruit were 

 passed Iw at Okanagan Landing in the winter of 1906- 1907. even after the 

 birds had eaten all the rose hi])s and snow berries and were reduced to eating 

 weed seeds with the Lcucosfictcs. 



Either this suli-species or niontaiia breeds on all the higher mountain 

 ranges in British Ci>lumbia. occupying a zone from timber line downwards 

 about 2,000 feet. 



Mv first acquaintance with the Pine Gro.sbeak at its breeding grounds, 

 was in tlie Cascade Mountains due north of Mt. Baker, on both sides of the 

 Forty-ninth Parallel. Here the sj^ecies was a somewhat sparing breeder 

 close to timber line among the hemlock and balsam timber. They were 

 feeding voung on the i/tli of July: at the same time Crossbills had fully 



