240 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4TH SER, 
mally to be in direct ratio with the supply of cactus. Quite 
often they were observed feeding on the ground. 
As already indicated, the three main sources of food are 
the ground, the cacti, and the orange trees. Flocks of 20 to 
30 birds of this species, often mixed with the Sturdy Ground 
Finch and the Sooty Ground Finch and sometimes accom- 
panied by the Galapagos Dove, were seen feeding on the 
ground at various seasons. They also fed singly and in small 
numbers on the ground, both alone and with other species. 
On Duncan, in August, they were observed feeding on the 
ground, but in the preceding December they were seen only 
in cacti. 
A cactus tree was the characteristic setting of this species, 
which feeds upon the soft moist pulp. On one occasion | 
noted several of this species and the Sooty Ground Finch 
feeding upon the pulp from the trunk of a fallen cactus tree. 
At Villamil, Albemarle, a few were remarked as feeding on 
low bushes as well as on cacti, and some were seen on banana 
trees. Cactus blossoms were much relished, and birds were 
commonly observed feeding on the flowers. Several were seen 
with pollen-covered beaks. A bird, taken on the south side of 
James on December 19, had its gullet filled with a yellow 
fluid, apparently extracted from cactus blossoms. 
Oranges seemed to be much relished, the birds eating the 
ripe and overripe fruit on the trees. They dig a hole in the 
top and then pick the pulp out, often leaving nothing but the 
bare rind. They also eat figs and tropical plums, both fruits 
having been introduced on Charles. It would seem that the 
coming of man has been a benefit to this species, owing to its 
fondness for fruit. 
At Villamil, Albemarle, in August, I saw one in company 
with a Sooty Ground Finch feeding on the skull of a bull re- 
cently killed. None of this species was observed at springs. 
They do not seem to frequent them as do some of the other 
finches. Probably they obtain sufficient moisture from cacti 
and oranges. 
On March 1, at Black Beach Roads, Charles, I saw the 
black males of this species and the Sturdy Ground Finch sing- 
ing with wings partially spread and drooping as our English 
Sparrows do. No nests and eggs of this species were satis- 
