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Show 238 FJUNGILLID- E.- FINCHES. 50. Carpodacus purpureas, ( Gin.).- Purple Finches. This species appears to be at least not a common one in Southern California, a single specimen being all obtained or seen by us. Dr. Cooper speaks of finding them on the summits of the Coast range, toward Santa Cruz, in May, where they had nests. tfo. 563 Sex. 9 Locality. Near Mount Whitney, Cal.. Date. Oct 10 Collector. H. W. Henshaw... Wing. 3.00 Tail. 9.34 Bill. 0.45 Tarsus. 0.72 51. Carpodacm frontalis, ( Say).- House Finch. In Southern California, in summer this Finch is perhaps the most numerous of any of the small birds. Their diffusion is very general, the mountains alone being on-visited by them. , On the island of Santa Cruz, their numbers are as great as on the mainland. They are always found in greatest numbers in the vicinity of houses, where there are scarcely any bounds to their familiarity. On the uninhabited portions of the island a few had taken up their abode, resorting to little niches in the face of cliffs to place their nests. Their disposition toward each other is sociable in the extreme, and wherever found they will be seen to have established themselves into communities, often of many individuals, while the air is fairly tilled with their songs, which continue from morning to night. No, Locality. Date. Collector. 72 73 74 129 150 151 159 160 161 248 342 770 $ ad. cf ad. cf jan. cf ad. d* ad. < f ad. cf ad, cf ad. cfad. 9 ad. 9 Jan. d" ad. Santa Barbara, Cal.. do do do do do do do do Walker's Basin, Cal. Fort TeioD, Cal Santa Barbara, Cal.. Jane 26 Jane 26 Jane 26 Jane 28 Jane 29 Jane 29 Jane 29 July 1 Jaly I Jaly 1 Jaly 17 Aug. 9 52. Chrysomitris tristis, ( Linn.).- Goldfinch. This is an abundant species throughout Southern California, avoiding only the high mountainous districts. It was particularly numerous at Los Angeles, and as early as the middle of June was breeding plentifully. Their eggs at this time were in most cases far advanced toward hatching, though in one instance fresh eggs were found, and in another the nest had been just begun. In a dense willow- thicket within an area of a few yards no fewer than seven of their nests were counted. They were all placed quite low, the highest about 12 feet from the ground, and, save in being less compactly woven, resembled the usual style of structure in the East. The eggs are of an unspotted greenish- white color. No. 26 Sex. 9 ad. Locality. Date. Jane 17 Collector. H. W. Henshftw. 53. Chrysomitria psaltria, ( Say.).- Arkansas Finch. Of the three species inhabiting Southern California, this Goldfinch appears to be the most widely spread, as perhaps also the most numerous. It was seen at many different localities, and, like the other two, inhabits the valleys. The reeds of grasses and weeds appear to form the chief part of its food. |