where
they breed in August or early in September, being one of the latest
nesting birds that we have. Their nests are located in bushes, at a
height of generally below fifteen feet above the ground, being placed in
upright forks, and made of plant fibres and thistle down, firmly woven
together. They lay from three to six plain bluish white eggs. Size .65 x
.50. The majority of nests that I have found have been in alders over
small streams.

[Illustration 331: Bluish green.]
[Illustration: Redpoll.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: Goldfinch.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 330

[Illustration 332: AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.]

Page 331

529a. PALE GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus tristis pallidus._

Range.--Rocky Mountains from Mexico to British Columbia.

This variety is slightly larger and (in winter) paler than the last.

529b. WILLOW GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus tristis salicamans._

Range.--Pacific coast from Washington to Lower California.

Similar to the eastern Goldfinch but back said to be slightly greenish
yellow.

530. ARKANSAS GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus psaltria psaltria._

Range.--United States, west of the Plains and from Oregon to Mexico.

This species has greenish upper parts and yellow below; the crown, wings
and tail are black, the bases of the lateral tail feathers and primaries
being whitish. They are common in portions of their range, nesting in
similar locations to those chosen by the common Goldfinch and laying
from three to five eggs which are similar but slightly smaller. Size .60
x .45. Data.--Riverside, California, May 20, 1891. 5 eggs. Nest made of
fine grasses lined with cotton; 5 feet from the ground in a small tree.

530a. GREEN-BACKED GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus hesperophilus._

Range.--Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas.

A similar bird to the last but with the entire upper parts and cheeks,
black. The habits, nests and eggs are identical with those of the
Arkansas Goldfinch.

531. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus lawrencei._

Range.--Pacific coast of California, wintering along the Mexican border.

This grayish colored Goldfinch has a black face and yellow breast, rump,
wing coverts and edges of the primaries. They are quite common in their
restricted range, nesting either in upright crotches or in the forks of
horizontal limbs. The four or five eggs which they lay are pure white;
size .60 x .45. Data.--Santa Monica Canyon, Cal., Apri