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Volume XIV September-October, 1912 Number 5 
THE DISCOVERY OF THE NEST AND EGGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 
PINE GROSBEAK 
By MILTOX S. RAY 
WITH SEVENTEEN PHOTOS BV OLUF J. HEINEMANN AND THE AUTHOR 
W ITH the taking of the eggs of the Gray-crowned Rosy Finch at Pyramid 
Peak in June of 1910, there remained only three or four birds, known to 
breed in California, whose nests and eggs were yet undiscovered. One 
of these remaining few was the California Pine Grosbeak [Pinicola calif ornica) . 
In recording the discovery of the nest and eggs of this bird it is a fitting time, 
1 think, to review the published literature referring to this species, at once one 
of the rarest, and most interesting forms of birdlife to be found in the great 
Sierran woodland. It happens, however, that there is but little literature for 
reference ; in fact, many workers in the bird’s range have failed to record its 
presence at all and few have found it in any abundance. Although the majority 
of these workers were in the field during the summer months, the home life 
of the California Pine Grosbeak has remained unknown. The table on the next 
page gives the published records of the bird’s occurrence. 
Belding (1890) writes as follows: “Summit, Central Pacific Railroad, Aug- 
ust 11, 1882, tolerably common; from June 23 to July 10, 1885, an adult male 
and female feeding in alders ; during this time these only ; but later, in Augaist 
and September, not rare, in fact rather common. Blood’s [Calaveras County] 
July 16, 1880, shot an adult female which probably had a nest; specimen sent 
to Smithsonian Institution.” 
Dr. A. K. Fisher, in his report on the birds of the Death Valley Expedition 
( 1893), says of this species; “Mr. Nelson saw a fine adult male pine grosbeak 
in brilliant plumage on the head of the San Joaquin River. July 30 [1891]. This 
individual was the only one seen during the year.” 
W. W. Price, who was first to separate this bird from the eastern form, 
