PDSICOLA ENUCLEATOR, PINE GROSBEAK. 105 



Jan. 1868 (Sierra Nevada).— Ball & Banx., Tr. Chic. Acad, i, 1809, 281 ''^' 

 (Alaska).— TUKNii., B. E. Pa. 1869, 21 (rather rare).— Stev., U. S. Geol. Surv. 

 Ter. 1870, 404 (Wyoming). — Mayn., Guide, 1870, 109 (Massachusetts, winter). — ,. 

 Coop., B. Cal. i, 1870, 151 (resident in Sierra Nevada of California). — ■- 

 Snow, B. Kaus. 1873, 6. ul 



Pinicola americana, Cab., Mss, — Bp., Consp. Av. i, 1850, 528. ,; 



" Loxia flamingo, Spaerm., Mus. Carls, pi. 17 (var."), {Gray). 



" Loxia imttacea, Pall." {Gray). <• 



Hob. — In this country, occupiea the whole of British America, migrating regularly^ 

 into the northern tier of States in winter, and occasionally to Maryland, Ohio, liliuoie," , 

 and Kansas. Apparently resident in the Sierra Nevada of California, and certainly so 

 in the Rocky Mountains within the United States. South to Colorado, where it hreeds. ■'' ' 

 "Breeds from Maine northward" (JwduSon). • 5 ■ 



Later Expeditions. — 60637, Uintah Mountains, September 20, 1870. ,} ;• 



This species was not met with by either of the earlier Expeditions,'* ' 

 and must be a rare winter visitant, if it occur at all, in most portions ,~ 

 of the Missouri region, the greater part of which is topographically uii- 

 suited to its wants. We have, however, authentic information of its 

 presence even so far south as Kansas. Prof. Snow places it in his list, 

 with the remark: "occurs in winter ; taken by Sidney Smith, of Leav- 

 enworth." Mr. Trippe says it api)ears in Wisconson " about the middle 

 of November, and remains throughout the winter, feeding on the buds 

 and seeds of the alder, birch, &c., as well as of the weeds that abound 

 on the prairies." He observed a much larger proportion of old birds 

 than there is in the flocks that visit New York, though these are still 

 far outnumbered by the females and young. I found it rather common, 

 and breeding, on the coast of Labrador, in patches of juniper and Other 

 thick woods. Audubon has a note of NuttalPs finding it on the Lower 

 Missouri. 



In the Eocky Mountains it finds its southernmost extension, as well as 

 breeding range. This fact, but lately ascertained, is attested by young- 

 birds in the Smithsonian collection, and very fully by the following in- 

 teresting communication which Mr. Trippe has sent me from Idaho 

 Springs, Colorado : 



"The Pine Grosbeak is irregularly distributed in this part of the 

 mountains, being rarely seen in certain localities, while it is very com- 

 mon in others. It is probably resident, as I have observed it through- 

 out the summer and fall months in the woods near timber-line, below 

 which it does not wander very far, none being seen below 9,500 feet, 

 even in the depth of winter, although it is probable that stragglers oc- 

 casionally descend even to the foot-hills at times. It is very tame, fre- 

 quently alighting and feeding within a few feet of one with the greatest 

 composure. Its food seems to consist principally of pine seeds, but it 

 is also fond of those of the birch and alder, and occasionally descends 

 to the ground, where it picks up the seeds of various plants, and proba- 

 bly a few insects. During late summer and winter it has a very pleasing 

 song — clear, sweet, and flowing, like that of the Purple Finch. I cannot 

 say at what season it breeds, but am inclined to think that it must be 

 very early, as young birds are fully feathered and have left their parents 

 in June, before the snow has disa(>peared from the woods. 



"Individuals vary in size — though the coloration of the adults is quite 

 constant — and average larger than winter specimens from the Atlantic 

 States, a length of nine or nine and one-half inches being not uncommon, 

 while occasionally old males will measure ten and even a little over. In 

 one specimen (an adult male, shot July 10th near James Peak) the length 

 is 10.15 inches ; the tip of the upper mandible is decurved beyond and 

 below that of the lower 0.13 of an incii." 



Two specimens of the rare^ and little-known egg of the Pine Grosbeak 



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