50 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS-ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 
CAEDUELIS TRISTIS, Linn .—American Goldfinch. 
Carduelis tristis, DeKay’s N. Hist. N. Y. vol. I, p. 166, pi. 66, fig. 151.— Aud. B. of A Oct. vol. Ill, p. 129, pi. 181. 
Fringilla tristis, Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 507. 
Chrysomilris tristis, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 421. 
Abundant. 
CARDUELIS L A WRENCH, C a s s i n .—Lawrence’s Goldfinch. 
Carduelis lawrencii, Cassin, Proc. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. V, p. 105, pi. 5. 
These birds are very abundant throughout the northern mining regions of California, 
frequenting the hill sides covered with brush, the seeds and buds of which they seek with great 
avidity. Later in the season I found them near San Diego, in quest of grass seeds on the level 
plains, in large flocks and so closely packed that I have shot thirteen at one discharge of my 
gun as they were about alighting on the ground. Their nest, built in the forks of a bush or 
stunted oak, is composed of fine grasses lined with hair and feathers, and contains four or five 
pure white eggs. 
CARDUELIS PSALTRIA, Say .—Arkansas Goldfinch. 
Carduelis psaltria, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. Ill, p. 134, pi. 183. 
Fringilla psaltria, Aud. Fol. pi 400, fig. 1.— Say, Long’s Ex. to Rky. Mts. vol. II, p. 40.— Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 510.— 
Bonap. Am. Orn. vol. I, p. 54, pi. 6, fig. 3. 
Chrysomilris psaltria, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 422. 
Abundant, frequenting and feeding in the same localities as the preceding species, and often 
associated with the pine finch, (Linaria pinus.) While thus associated, I shot, on one occasion, 
some sixty or seventy of both species, which appeared at the time to be picking the fine gravel 
mixed in with the mud used as mortar in a chimney recently constructed by a party of miners. 
At each discharge of the gun they would fly away, returning, however, in a few minutes to the 
same spot whence they had been driven. 
CARPODACUS PURPUREUS, G m e 1.—Purple Finch. 
Fringilla purpurea, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. I, p. 119, pi. 7, fig. 4.— Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 529.— Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 4. 
Erythrospizapurpurea, Aud. Oct. vol. Ill, p. 170, pi. 196. 
Carpodacus calif amicus, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 413. 
I met with bat a small flock of these birds in the mountains on the Calaveras river. 
CARPODACUS FAMILIARIS, McCall.—Domestic Purple Finch. 
Carpodacus familiaris, McCall, Proc. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. VI, p. 61.— Cassin’s B. of Tex. and Cal. p. 73, pi. 13. 
Erythrospiza frontalis, IIeermann, Journ. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. I, 2d series, p. 53. 
Carpodacus frontalis, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 415. 
This beautiful and abundant species is found throughout the whole extent of California 
Sonora, and New Mexico, collecting in large flocks during the winter season and wandering 
over the country. Its food consists principally of the young buds of trees and bushes. Resorting 
in the spring of the year to the habitations of man, it forms its nest under the eaves of the 
