The California Pine Grosbeak 



company with Cassin Purple Finches and Western Evening Grosbeaks 

 they visit the upland salt licks where the sheep are baited. 



The California Pine Grosbeak has a song which, according to Ray, 

 deserves to rank along with that of the Dipper, the Hermit Thrush, and 

 other major songsters. It is especially comparable to the song of the 

 Black-headed Grosbeak, but is, if possible, still more melodious, rich, 

 and varied. Unfortunately, the bird is not a persistent singer, and its 

 outbursts are as rare as they are uplifting. The bird has also a melodious, 

 two-syllabled call-note, which reminds one of the words, "All right." 

 At the nest, or in intimate conversation with his mate, the Grosbeak 

 indulges a series of amiable twitterings very pleasing to the ear. 



The Pine Grosbeak shows its affinities very clearly in its choice of a 

 nesting site. A rather frail platform of coarse fir twigs is heavily lined 

 with coiled grasses, and the whole is settled loosely upon some spreading 

 evergreen limb at any convenient distance from the ground or the tree 

 stem. The female is a sturdy sitter, and requires to be fairly poked off 

 if one would see the eggs. Although apparently indifferent to the presence 



Taken in Eldorado County 



Pholo by Oluf J . Heinemann 



N/3 CALIFORNIA PINE GROSBEAK 



BACKGROUND OF SNOW 16 FEET BELOW NEST 



Courtesy Milton S. Ray and "The Condor" 



155 



