The Birds of El Paso County^ Colorado SS9 



the differences in color might be due to the wearing away of the 

 outer portions of the feathers leaving a dark inner portion 

 exposed, but the plumage of psaltria shows no dark portions 

 of the back feathers which could be thus exposed by wear, 

 though we have examined specimens taken August 15 which 

 are much worn, and as stated above the dark skins show no 

 indication of any such wear. 



To summarize: Psaltria is the first of the three forms 

 to appear here in spring, and seems to be the breeding form; 

 ari::on(E makes its appearance in July; while mexicanus, the 

 darkest of the three, does not appear until about August first. 

 After that time all three forms are to be found and in flocks 

 together. 



We have tried to present the facts in this puzzling case 

 as clearly as possible, feeling the settlement of the matter by 

 the A. O. U. Committee is not as satisfactory as it might be. 



Two of the males in the flock noted as seen in yard 

 August 1 1 were quarreling over a female. 



Besides sunflower seeds the species eats almost any sort 

 of weed seeds, including those of the dandelion. 



Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. Pine Linnet. Pine Finch. 



Resident; common. 



Pine Siskins are probably found at some season of 

 the year over all the County where there is any cover for 

 them, but they are rather irregular in their occurrence, at 

 least in winter, and some seasons but few will be noted. The 

 winter of 1910-11 a large flock was about the north end 

 of Monument Valley Park, while the following winter but 

 few were seen. It ranges at least as high as Lake Moraine, 

 where Aiken has taken it. May 16, 1913, a pair had a nest 

 at Ivywild, in a cottonwood tree, well out on a branch 30 

 feet above the ground. The birds could be plainly seen at the 



