CHRYSOMITRIS LAWRENCE!. 
LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH. 
CARDIE LIS LAWRENCEI. Cassix. I’ roc. Acad. Nat. Scien. PMla. (1850), p. 105. 
CURA SOMTTRIS LA!\' RENCEI. Box. Comptes Rendus (1853), p. 913. Baird. B. of N. Am., p. 42!. Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. 
Phi! (1864), p. 83. 
This pretty little bird was first discovered by Mr. J. G. Bell, in California, and described by Mr. Cassix, who named it in honor 
of our mutual friend Mr. G. N. Lawrence, so well and favorably known for his attainments in American Ornithology. Mr. Bell's 
account of this species is as follows : “ This bird I fir. t observed at Sonoma. In habits it much resembled our common Goldfinch 
(C. Tnstris). The flock out of which I shot these two was feeding, in company with the small black -headed species ( O. Pmltria), 
on the seeds of plants growing near the ground, and when disturbed alighted upon the nearest bushes. When flying, they keep up 
a constant chattering or calling, like our common species. I also saw this bird at San Diego, feeding as above in company with the 
crimson-fronted Bullfinch (Coiyoclacu 5 Frontalis), in the open prairie. I never saw it in the mountains.” 
Dr. Coues, who procured this bird also in Arizona, says that it was “abundant; probably resident. My numerous examples of this 
species, so widely dissimilar from any other, were all taken at Fort Whipple in winter. Although I never noticed it at any other 
season, I have little doubt that it is a permanent resident, breeding in the mountains of Northern Arizona. I have seen examples 
from Fort Tejon, Ca! The differences between winter and spring or summer specimens consists in little else than the replacing of 
the yellow dorsal spot by olive gray, either pure or a little mixed -with yellowish. Tiie yellow of the other parts is as bright as in 
spring, and the black frontlet remains intact.” 
The male has the top of the head, space between the eye and bill, and upper portion of the throat black. Back, sides of head 
and body, abdomen, and upper tail coverts ash-color. Breast, rump, lesser wing coverts, and outer edge of primaries yellow. Wings 
black, the inner webs margined with white, increasing in width toward the bases of the feathers. Tail black, with a broad white 
patch on the inner webs of the feathers. Under tail coverts white. Bill and feet flesh-color. 
The female wauts the black of the head and throat, which is replaced with ash, and the yellow of the breast and rump is 
only faintly indicated ; otherwise similar to the male. The figures are life-size. 
