ZONOTRICHIA BELLI. 
BELL’S FINCH. 
EMBERIZA BELLI. Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. Phila. (1850), p. 104, pi. IY. 
POOSPIZA BELLI. Sclat. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1857), p. 7. Baird. B. of N. Amer., p. 470. 
California is the native country of this pretty little sparrow, and in the vicinity of Sonoma it is rather common. It is easily recogniz- 
able from our other Finches, the black spot upon its white breast being one of the most noticeable markings. 
It was first discovered by my friend Mr. J. G. Bell, during his visit to California, and he relates the following few facts regarding it : “ This 
bird I shot first near Sonoma, and afterwards at San Diego; its habits much resemble those of the painted bunting (S. Girls'). 1 observed several 
of them amongst the wormwood at the edge of the hills, sitting on the tops of the small bushes, singing, and when disturbed would dart down- 
wards. The song is quite unlike that of any of our Finches, rather low and plaintive, and perhaps most resembles that of the swamp sparrow 
( A . palmtris). It is neither a very active nor a shy bird, and was not rare at the localities mentioned.” 
This species has also been observed in the valley of the Gila and Colorado rivers as far as Fort Thorn. I have placed this sparrow in the 
genus Zonotricliia, as it seems to possess more of the characters of that genus, than of Poospiza, to which it has been referred by Dr. Sclater.- 
Upper parts bluisli-ash. A small spot from bill to the eye white. A stripe on each side of the throat, and spot on the breast, black. 
Feathers of the wing edged with yellowish brown. Under parts white. Flanks and under tail-coverts light brown. Tail dark brown, lighter 
on the edges. Bill dark brown. Feet and tarsi light brown. 
The figures are life-size. The plant is the Mimus Cardinalis from California. 
