Vol. XV 



il xv-| 



I89S J 



Bruce, A Moiilh xvith the (ioldjuiciic^. 



239 



I am indebted to the National Museum officers for the loan of 

 a series of Salpinctes. 



Measurements. 



Average of 8 specimens S. o. piilverhis from 



Sau Nicolas Island 



Average of 2 specimens (intermediate) from 



San Clemente Island 



Average of s specimens (intermediate) from 



Santa Barbara Island 



Average of 19 specimens 6". obsoletus from the 



adjacent mainland of Southern California. 



>H - '-' ' 



1^ 



• 17 

 .16 



• 15 



•'5 



A MONTH WITH THE GOLDFINCHES. 



BY MARY EMILY BRUCE. 



The nesting season is nearly over and the air is full of the 

 voices of young birds before the Goldfinches begin to build. In 

 the leisurely golden time of the year, when the fields are yellow 

 with grain and the roadsides gay with golden-rod, the dainty pair, 

 in love with the summer, the sunshine, and each other, plan their 

 home. True to their careless, happy natures they neither hurry 

 nor overwork. A suitable place is chosen, the nest is built, the 

 eggs are laid, and the little dame sits content in the sun, while 

 her mate fills the air with music, as high over woods and fields he 

 takes his undulating flight in search of food. To watch a Gold- 

 finch's home is a privilege that brightens the whole summer, and 

 one would like to write their story with a pen dipped in sunshine. 



It was late in July before I reached the farmhouse among the 

 hills of Vermont where I was to spend my vacation, and I found 

 the orchards near the house already full of young birds. Baby 



