54 MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 



of feathers, cotton or wool, with a few sticks and dried grass, and lined with horse 

 hair. Frequently only four eggs are found in the nest, and they often contain a very 

 few specks or streaks, on one side only. 



It would be impossible with words, to describe the song of this western Orpheus, 

 and although California contains many song birds, among others our Mocking Bird, 

 (the King of Songsters, as the Nightingale might be called the Queen ;) yet there is 

 none more exhilirating to the feelings, or melodious and tender to the ear, than that 

 of the crimson-fronted Finch. 



PIPILO, Vieill. 



100. p. ARCTicus, Swains. Arctic Ground Finch. 



This species so much resembling our common one, in habits and appearance, is 

 abundant in California. 



101. P. Fuscus, Swains. Plain Ground Finch. 



Fringilla crissalis, Vig. Zool. Beechy's Voyage. 



This plain species, new to our Fauna, was first described by Swainson in 1827, 

 along with the other birds brought from Mexico by Mr. Bullock, in the Philosophical 

 Mao-azine.* It is an abundant resident in California, with much the manner of its 

 congeners, from which it differs so much in appearance. 



During winter they are found in large flocks in the ravines of the mountains, and 

 scatteringly along the margins of woods and bushy places, in company with the 

 thousands of busy sparrows, all gleaning their abundant fare of seeds. They breed 

 in California, and by the beginning of June I saw the full fledged young ; the nest 

 no doubt, is made on the ground, well concealed under a bush, but I never could 

 discover it. It is a remarkably silent and unsuspicious species, never uttering more 

 than a slender chip like that of a sparrow. 



PHIL ERE MO S, Brehm. 



102. P. coRNUTUS, (Swains.) Bonap. Horned or Shore Lark. 



We found flocks of this common bird on the Table land ; by banks of streams 

 throughout the Rocky Mountains, and even in the most arid plains of Artimesia. In 

 California it is also abundant. 



PICUS, Linn. 



103. P. H4RRISII, Aud. Harris's Woodpecker. 



This fine species occupies, on the western coast, the same place that the P. villosus 

 does with us, but seems to have a greater partiality for the pine woods, among which 



*The following is the description as there given, viz : Gray, beneath paler ; throat obscure fulvous v?ith brown 

 spots; vent ferruginous. Table land. Temiscaltipec. Total length 8; bill -^^ ; wings 85; tail 4; tarsi ^^^; hind 

 toe and claw j''^. 



