323 
FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 
530a. A. p. hesperophilus Oberh. Green-backed Goldfinch. 
Distribution. Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, 
from California and Lower California to Utah, Arizona, and extreme 
southwestern New Mexico. 
In southern California, as Mr. Grinnell says, the green-backed 
goldfinch is not only abundant about gardens and orchards, but goes 
up to 6000 feet in the mountains. 
531. Astragalinus lawrencei (Cass.). Lawrence Goldfinch. 
Adult male. — Face and throat as well as crown black; median under 
parts yellow, surrounded by gray ; rump and 
wings washed with greenish yellow. Adult 
female: similar to male, but without black on 
head or throat, and colors duller. In winter: 
both sexes colored as in summer, but colors 
more subdued. Young: similar to adult female, but duller, and lower 
parts indistinctly streaked. Male: length (skins) 3.92-4.66, wing 2.61- 
2.76, tail 1.81-2.00, bill .31-.33. Female : length (skins) 4.04-4.50, wing 
2.48-2.64, tail 1.66-1.87, bill .31-.35. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from about 
latitude 40° in California, west of the Sierra Nevada, south to Lower Cali¬ 
fornia ; occurs during winter in southern Arizona and New Mexico. 
Eggs. — Pure white. 
Food. — Largely weed seed, including that of the Russian thistle. 
In Los Angeles County, California, Mr. Grinnell says lawrencei is 
found mainly on the mesa, in the mountain canyons, and pine for¬ 
ests below 6000 feet. From December until the last of March small 
flocks feed in weed patches along the banks of the arroyos. 
GENUS SPINUS. 
533. Spinus pinus (Wils .). Pine Siskin: Pine Finch. 
Similar to Astragalinus , but plumage streaked gray and brown, without 
yellow or black except for yellow patches on wings and tail. Adults: 
whole body finely streaked with brown, on brownish 
ground above, on whitish below ; basal portions of seconda¬ 
ries and tail feathers sulphur yellow. Young : upper parts 
mustard yellow, tinged with brownish olive, feathers 
streaked, except on belly ; wing bands and patches brown. 
Male: length (skins) 4.20-4.85, wing 2.72-3.00, tail 1.57- 
1.83, bill .38-44. Female: length (skins) 4.23-5.14, wing 
2.63-2.97, tail 1.60-1.81, bill .39-.47. 
Remarks. — The siskin is easily recognized in the field, as the yellow 
wing and tail patches show in flight. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Hudsonian zone forests in the 
mountains of western North America, also in the northeastern United States; 
may occur in winter in almost any part of the United States and Mexico. 
Nest. — Usually in coniferous trees, flattish,made of fine twigs, rootlets, 
and plant fibers, lined with fine rootlets and hair. Eggs : usually 3 or 4, 
pale greenish blue, speckled, chiefly around the larger end, with reddish 
brown, usually with a few small black markings. 
Fig. 409. 
Fig. 408. 
