FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 323 



530a. A. p. hesperophilus Oberh. GREEN-BACKED GOLDFINCH. 



Similar to psaltria, but ear coverts, sides of neck, back, nape, and rump, 

 in fully adult plumage, olive green instead of black. Wing 2.46, tail 1.70 

 bill .35. 



Distribution. Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, 

 from California and Lower California to Utah, Arizona, and extreme 

 southwestern New Mexico. 



In southern California, as Mr. Grinnell says, the green-backed 

 goldfinch is not only abundant about gardens, and orchards, but goes 

 up to 6000 feet in the mountains. 



531. Astragalinus lawrencei (Cass.). LAWRENCE GOLDFINCH. 



Adult male. Face and throat as well as crown black ; median under 

 parts yellow, surrounded by gray ; rump and 

 wings washed with greenish yellow. Adult 

 female : similar to male, but without black on 

 head or throat, and colors duller. In winter : Fig. 408. 



both sexes colored as in summer, but colors 



more subdued. Young : similar to adult female, but duller, and lower 

 parts indistinctly streaked. Male : length (skins) 3.92-4.66, wing 2.61- 

 2.76, tail 1.81-2.00, bill .31-.33. Female : length (skins) 4.04-4.50, wing 

 2.48^2.64, tail 1.66-1.87, bill .31-.35. 



Distribution. Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from about 

 latitude 40 in California, west of the Sierra Nevada, south to Lower Cali- 

 fornia ; occurs during winter in southern Arizona and New Mexico. 



Eggs. Pure white. 



Food. Largely weed seed, including that of the Russian thistle. 



In Los Angeles County, California, Mr. Grinnell says lawrencei is 

 found mainly on the mesa, in the mountain canyons, and pine for- 

 ests below 6000 feet. From December until the last of March small 

 flocks feed in weed patches along the banks of the arroyos. 



GENUS SPINUS. 

 533. Spinus pinus (Wils.). PINE SISKIN: PINE FINCH. 



Similar to Astragalinus, but plumage streaked gray and brown, without 

 yellow or black except for yellow patches on wings and tail. Adults : 

 whole body finely streaked with brown, on brownish 

 ground above, on whitish below ; basal portions of seconda- 

 ries and tail feathers sulphur yellow. Young : upper parts 

 mustard yellow, tinged with brownish olive, feathers 

 streaked, except on belly ; wing bands and patches brown. 

 Male : length (skins) 4.20-4.85, wing 2.72-3.00, tail 1.57- 

 1.83, bill .3S-.44. Female: length (skins) 4.23-5.14, wing 

 2.63-2.97, tail 1.60-1.81, bill .39-.47. 



Remarks. The siskin is easily recognized in the field, as the yellow 

 wing and tail patches show in flight. 



Distribution. Breeds in Canadian and Hudsonian zone forests in the 

 mountains of western North America, also in the northeastern United States ; 

 may occur in winter in almost any part of the United States and Mexico. 



Nest. Usually in coniferous trees, flatfish, made of fine twigs, rootlets, 

 and plant fibers, lined with fine rootlets and hair. Eggs : usually .> or 4, 

 pale greenish hlue. speckled, chiefly around the larger end, with reddish 

 brown, usually with a few small black markings. 



