392 



BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 



[Vol.Y. 



46. ElTSPizA AMERICANA (Gm.) Bp. — Blciclc-tliroated Bunting. 



Seen in open groves, in company with Bine Grosbeaks and Orioles. 

 I fonnd no nests, althongh without donbt it breeds on the Eio Grande. 



214 



215 



Lomita. 

 ....do .- 



April 26 

 April 26 



6.50 

 6.25 



10.75 

 9.85 



3.37 

 3.00 



2.50 

 2.25 



47. GoNiAPHEA C^EULEA (L.). — Blue Grosbeak. 



Common at Lomita, and found breeding in scattered clumps of bushes 

 in open groves. May 24 I took two nests, about three feet from the 

 ground, in kleppeni-bushes,* near a corn-field. They were concealed in 

 the heart of the bushes ; were four inches in outside diameter ; on the 

 inside two and one-half inches wide by two inches deex) ; were comx)osed 

 of leaves, corn-husks, and the dried tops of weeds and grasses, and 

 lined throughout with rootlets and a few horsehairs. They had been 

 watched for some time ; one contained four eggs and the other three — 

 their full complements. As the fresh eggs lie in the nest, they are of a 

 pinkish shade, but, when blown, become a delicate blue. In shape they 

 are oval, and not, as heretofore described, '^ equally rounded at either 

 end," one end being decidedly more pointed than the other. In size 

 they vary in length from .88 to .85 ; in breadth from .65 to .62. 



Mr. Bourbois informs me, that, during the harvesting of the first crop, 

 early in July, he frequently meets with nests of this bird attached to 

 corn-stalks, and containing eggs and young. They therefore rear at 

 least two broods of young at Lomita. 



Lomita 

 ...do . 



....do . 

 ...do . 



....do . 



....do . 



April 22 

 April 25 

 April 27 

 April 30 

 May 22 

 May 25 



8.00 

 7.50 



7.50 

 7.75 

 7.85 

 7.50 



12.00 

 12. 00 

 11.50 

 12.00 

 11.75 

 11.50 



3.75 

 3.75 

 3.62 

 3.63 

 3.50 

 3.50 



3.00 



48. Cyanospiza ciris (L.) Bd. — Nonpareil or Painted Finch. 



Quite common at Lomita. A half dozen females were shot in the 

 bushes overhanging the water, at Lake San Jose, a few miles from the 

 ranch, on May 7. ISTo males were observed in their company. Al- 

 though they undoubtedly breed in that vicinity, we came across no 

 nests. 



Lomita 

 ...do . 

 ....do . 

 ....do . 

 ....do . 

 ....do . 



' Common name of this shrub in the locality. 



