No. 2.] HOFFMAN ON THE BIRDS OF NEVADA. 223 



ever, that a specimen of FsaltriparuH melanotis, also a Mexican bird, 

 not before detected in the United States, was observed in the same 

 locality at nearly the same time." 



Considering the abundance of this species in the regions directly 

 north of Nevada, it is not improbable that its occurrence within the 

 State limits, upon the elevated ranges, may be rather frequent. 



During the present winter (1880-'81) I had occasion to visit Pennsyl- 

 vania, and while in Eeading learned that a flock of about twenty indi- 

 viduals were frequently noticed in the cedar groves on Mount Penn, in 

 comi)any with the common L. curvirostra americana. One year ago a 

 small flock was observed in the same locality, several specimens of 

 which were secured. The extremely cold weather during the present 

 season no doubt caused this extreme southern range, as within the past 

 twenty years, during which time I have been always on the lookout for 

 northern species, I have neither seen this species, nor heard of its oc- 

 currence so far south in that portion of the State. 



Leucosticte teplirocotis Swain. — Gray-crowned Eosy Finch. 



This species has been taken at Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra IS'evada 

 Mountains, and were said to be plentiful there during extremely cold 

 weather. Captain Stansbury found them common at Salt Lake City in 

 March, 1850, and it is more than probable that during extremely cold 

 winter weather they may be found along both sides of the Sierras, from 

 the Oregon line southward. 



Leucosticte tephrocotis Uttoralis (Baird) Coues. — Hepburn's Eosy Finch. 

 This is the largest of the Leucosticte, and the only note of observation 

 of either of the species occurring in the United States, relating specific- 

 ally to Nevada, is that given by Mr. Eidgway. He states that " a sin- 

 gle flock of this species was seen on the 5th of January in the outskirts 

 of Yirginia City, Nev. The flock comprised perhai)S fifty individuals, 

 all busily engaged in gleaning from the surface of the snow, flitting 

 restlessly over one another in the manner of Lapland Longspurs, at the 

 same time uttering a twittering note." 



Astragalinus tristis (Linn.) Cab. — American Goldfinch. 



Although found to be common in various localities west of the Sierras, 

 in California, this species does not appear, excepting at rare intervals, 

 east of that range. The plants furnishing the seeds preferred by this 

 bird, such as thistles, &c., are of rare occurrence in the dry regions 

 of Nevada, but where these are found, as on the foot-hills in the southern 

 extremity of Smoky Valley, the species was also observed, though there 

 were less than half a dozen individuals, who may at that time have been 

 mere migrants. 



Astragalinus lawrencei (Cass.) Bp. — Lawrence's Goldfinch. 



Although found in California the occurrence of this species is rare in 

 the Interior Basin, the only observation being that of Dr. Cooper, who 



