40 BbROTOU), A Study of the House Finch. I ,\"!' 



LJan. 



A STUDY OF THE HOUSE FINCH. 



HY \V. 11. BERGTOLD, M. 1>. 



The characteristic native bird of the cities and towns of ( Colorado 

 is t lie House Finch (Carpodacus mexieanus frontalis)] notwithstand- 

 ing its sweet and characteristic song, it is commonly mistaken by 

 the average citizen and visitor for the English Sparrow. 



Previous to the advent of the English Sparrow in Denver 

 (about IS!) I, according to the writer's notes) the only bird at all 

 common about the buildings of Denver was this (inch. Before 

 the present extensive settlement of Colorado, the House Finch was, 

 so far as one can gather from the reports of the various early 

 exploring expeditions, to be found mainly along the tree covered 

 'bottoms' of the larger streams, along the foot hills, to a small 

 extent up the streams into the foot hills, and possibly along the 

 streams as they neared the east line of the state. 



For t h(> past six years, the writer has systematically and par- 

 ticularly studied this speeies, bearing in mind several problems 

 concerning it; the data secured in this work is now published for 

 the first time. 



It seems desirable to say here that the writer alone is responsible 

 for each and every note, observation, and conclusion given in the 

 following paragraphs, the same having been drawn entirely from 

 his persona] studies: everything herein following is published 

 without prejudice to past observations and conclusions. 



Million of Sn n> . 

 Under this caption are included the usual general observation of 



the bird whenever seen in and about the city, and special arrange- 

 ments at the office and home o\' the writer, designed to facilitate 

 minute observations, and to bring about a more intimate acquain- 

 tance with the bird. 



The olliee is on the sixth lloor ^^ a building situated in the heart 

 o{ tin- business district o\' Denver, and provided with suitable 

 food and drinking traxsou tin- window sill. At the house, besides 



