The Gray-Crozmed Leucosticte. 



35 



forepart of the crown is black, while the balance of the 

 crown consists of a broad, conspicuous patch of gray. 

 Much of this gay plumage is lacking in the females, how- 

 ever, who are much paler and duller colored. In size 

 the bird is about equal to the mountain bluebird, which 

 it also resembles somewhat in flight, although it is much 

 swifter on the wing than sialia. In grace of build, the 

 leucosticte according to my idea has few equals; the 

 form of its finely shaped head and graceful neck, so often 

 lost in the preparation of skins, can be seen to advantage 

 in the accompanying profile-photograph. 



[For lack of space we omit the description of an earlier visit to the sum- 

 mit of Pyramid Peak during which probable nesting sites were located. The 

 narrative of events is resumed on top of the mountain during the successful 

 second trip. — Editor.] 



We reached the top of the peak about 1 1 .-40 and after 

 a quick lunch, for a moderate breeze had begun blowing, 

 we started down to the nesting site. By chance more than 

 from memory I came to the second pile of rocks from 

 the nest. Like the east side, the north side of the peak 

 appeared entirely bereft of its former bird-life; and it 

 was with drooping spirits, although not entirely without 

 a keen feeHng of expectation that I approached the nest. 

 My hopes revived, however, as a leucosticte flew out 

 from some nearby rocks, and it was an anxious moment 

 when I reached the aperture among the granite slabs and 

 peered in. In the dim light, among the feathers of the 

 nest, I could just discern three eggs which appeared 

 dark with incubation. When I joyfully informed my ex- 

 pectant companions of the victory, Duttke, who, among 

 other things was yell-leader of the expedition, started 

 three rousing cheers ; and no small victory it was, for to 

 me it meant that the two trips to the peak and back, 120 

 miles, taking almost two weeks' time, had not been in 

 vain. 



Heinemann and Duttke now joined me, and the camera 

 was set at once for pictures. As the bird was not in the 

 least afraid, and lit on the rocks all about the nest- 



