MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA, 49 



MOLOTHRUS, Swai7is. 



84. M. PECORUs, (Gmel.) Swains. Cow Blackbird. 



Abundant, in company with the Rusty Blackbird, frequenting, in flocks, the cattle 

 corrals and farm houses of New Mexico and California. 



COCCOTHRAUSTES, Briss. 



85. C. VESPERTiNUS, Coop. Evening Grosbeak. 



We first observed this fine species in the mountains of the interior, near the great 

 Salt Lake, in October, going in flocks, mostly of young birds, though some of them 

 in perfect plumage. 



They occasionally uttered a loud scream, which resounded through the mountains, 

 and also a slight twitter. Some of them had their bills so clotted with the resin of 

 the pine trees, which grew in the high ravines, and the seeds of which they at that 

 season fed upon, that they looked like second heads. We also saw them at intervals, 

 throughout the ranges of mountains to California, wherever their favourite tree, the 

 pine, grew, and often on the ground beneath them, in flocks like sparrows. 



STRUTHUS, Boie. 



86. S. OREGONUS, (Towns.) Bonap. Western Snow Bird. 



This species so much resembling the aS. nivalis, is on the western side of the 

 continent, equally as abundant as that species with us. 



On the Rio Colorado, we found them in very large flocks, feeding on the seeds of 

 a tall Helianthus ? which grew in immense patches along its banks. In winter they 

 are common around the settlements of New Mexico, particularly Taos and on the 

 Del Norte. 



In California it is also abundant, and found all the year around Monterey, where 

 they breed, but I could not find the nest. During winter they assemble in flocks, 

 frequenting the pine woods, and in their notes as well as manners, differ but little 

 from our own familiar species. 



CHONDESTES, Srvains. 



87. C. GRAMMACA, (Say.) Bonap. Lark Finch. 



Small flocks of this handsome species, are frequent in the bushy plains and 

 margins of streams during winter. 



ZONOTRICHIA, Swains. 



88. Z. FASCiATA, (Gmel.) Gamb. Song Sparrow. 



Fringilla fasciata ei ferruginea, Gmel. 



Fringilla melodia, Wils. 



This species, if indeed the same, is spread over the greater part of North America. 



We found it in the Rocky Mountains, soon after leaving New Mexico, and in 



California, as with us, it is one of the most abundant and familiar of birds. 



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