244 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES  [Proc. 41H Ser. 
Like the other tree finches, they live in the trees and bushes 
most of the time. There their strong legs and toes stand them 
in good stead in making long reaches for berries and in hang- 
ing head downwards. ‘The only flights they make are from 
tree to tree. None of the tree finches were met with at sea 
as were occasional ground finches. 
Their food, judging from observations in life, seems to 
consist of vegetable matter, while the other tree finches often 
eat insects. An examination of the stomachs of this species 
may prove that it is also an insect feeder. It feeds in the trees 
and bushes as do the other species, but usually eats berries, 
blossoms, green leaves, etc. On James, in December, several 
were seen feeding in a tree with red flowers (Erythrina 
velutina) in company with Pallid and Black-headed Tree 
Finches and some small black ground finches. Early in Janu- 
ary, in the same region, I saw a dozen or more in one tree at 
about the same altitude, 1500 feet. In March they were seen 
feeding on the blossoms of bushes, occasionally hanging head 
downwards. In the coastal region west of Villamil, Albe- 
marle, in April, a good many were seen in the “poison-fruit 
trees” growing about the fresh water holes and salt lagoons. 
On May 29 several were noted feeding on green tropical 
plums on the trees on Charles, in company with the Black- 
headed and Small-billed Tree Finches and the Sooty and 
Sturdy Ground Finches. In July a few were observed feed- 
ing on the blossoms of the sisal hemp on Chatham. On 
Abingdon, in September, they were feeding chiefly on green 
leaves, biting off small pieces here and there, although one 
was noted picking some very small berries from a shrub. 
On one or two days when these birds were not seen their 
presence was made known by their song, which is like that 
of the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phamiceus). This 
song was heard on Indefatigable in January; on Chatham in 
January, February, and September; on Charles in Febru- 
ary; on south Albemarle in March; and on Banks Bay Moun- 
tain, Albemarle, in April. On south Albemarle in April none 
were heard. In most cases where the songsters were seen they 
were black-headed males. On south Abingdon, in September, 
birds (many not black-headed) were singing a short song 
