February in Berkeley, 



only occasionally, when flocks pay us a 

 passing visit. It is somewhat larger 

 than the green-backed goldfinch, and 

 habitually utters the plaintive note 

 which has given it the Latin name. 

 Spinas tristis. In summer its plumage 

 is all golden except the head, wings and 

 tail, which are black, but at this season 

 the colors are changed to brown upon 

 the back and dull whitish on the breast. 

 Especially interesting to me are the 

 flocks of pine-finches which are now 

 and then with us in the winter season. 

 They are northern birds, nesting in 

 the mountains and visiting us erratically 

 during the winter months. I have 

 generally fiDund them in the tops of 

 the alder trees in the canons, chattering 

 in a sprightly fashion, full of animation 

 in their manners, and in general doing 

 all in their power to atone for an 

 exceptionally plain garb. Above and 

 below they are streaked with white and 

 brownish, varied with a touch of pale 

 yellow on the edge of the wings, and 

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