FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 379 



This pest was first introduced into the United States at Brooklyn, 

 New York, in 1851 and 1852. As late as 1870 it was largely confined to 

 the cities of the Atlantic States, but since that date, partly through 

 man's agency and partly through the bird's rapid increase in numbers 

 and its adaptability, it has spread over most of the United States and 

 Canada. Its harsh insistent, incessant chirp is now the dominant bird 

 voice about our homes, where we may never again hope to hear a chorus 

 of native bird music unmarred by the discordant chatter of this alien. 



1889. BARROWS, W. B., Bull. No. 1, Biological Survey, 1-405 (economic 

 status). 1909. TOWNSEND, C. W., Auk, XXVI, 13-19 (habits). 



The EUROPEAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) has become natural- 

 ized about St. Louis, Missouri. 



521. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm). AM. CROSSBILL. (Fig. 64d.) 

 Ad. cf. Tips of the mandibles crossed; body dull red, brighter on the rump, 

 browner on the back; wings and tail fuscous. This plumage is acquired 

 at the first postnuptial molt. Ad. 9 . Dull olive-green, yellower on the rump, 

 indistinctly mottled with blackish on the head and back, mixed with whitish 

 on the underparts. Im. <?. Similar to the 9, but mixed with red and 

 green. L., 6'19; W., 3'40; T., 2'13; B., '66. 



Range. N. N. Am. Breeds from cen. Alaska, n. Mackenzie, cen. Ungava, 

 and N. F. s. to Calif. (Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mts.), s. Colo., 

 Mich., and in the Alleghanies of n. Ga. (casually in Mass., Md., and Va.); 

 winters irregularly s. to s. Calif., N. M., n. Tex., La., and Fla. 



Washington, irregular W. V., sometimes abundant. Ossining, irregular; 

 noted in almost every month. Cambridge, of common but irregular occur- 

 rence at all seasons. N. Ohio, irregular, often common, sometimes breeds. 

 Glen Ellyn, uncommon and irregular, Oct. 20- June 11. SE. Minn., W. V., 

 Oct. 25. 



Nest, of twigs and grasses, lined with bits of moss and rootlets, in conifer- 

 ous trees, 15-30 feet up. Eggs, 3-4, "pale greenish, spotted and dotted about 

 the larger end with various shades of brown and lavender shell-markings, 

 1*75 x "57." Date, Morehouseville, N. Y., Mch. 30. 



These parrotlike Finches are famous for their erratic wanderings. 

 They seem to have no regard for the laws of migration which regulate 

 the journeys of most birds, and, having no home ties, may linger in 

 regions which offer them abundant fare without much regard to season. 

 They nest early in the spring, sometimes when they are far south of 

 their breeding range, but they seem quite unconcerned by their unusual 

 surroundings, and their young are born and raised in a foreign land. 

 Coniferous forests form their natural surroundings, and their bills 

 are especially adapted to aid them in forcing off the scales from the 

 cones of these trees to obtain the seed within. 



They live in flocks, and when in the trees climb about like Parrots, 

 sometimes exhibiting as little fear of man as Polly on her pedestal. When 

 feeding, they have a short, whistled call-note; they take wing in a body, 

 and their undulating flight is accompanied by a sharp clicking or whistled 

 note. Their song is described as "varied and pleasing, but not powerful 

 or in any respect remarkable." 



522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Ad. <?. 

 Tips of the mandibles crossed; body dull pink, brighter on the rump, more 



