The collections made in California by both Mr. Bell and Dr. Heermann, contained many fine specimens of this species. According to the latter (in Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, quarto, II. p. 267), it builds its nest always in a bush or tree, in which respect it differs from the Arctic Ground Finch (_Pipilo arctica_), another Western species, which builds on the ground, and from others of the same genus, in this respect confirming the observation of Dr. Henry, as given in a preceding page. Dr. Heermann’s observations possess an especial interest, from his having so carefully stated the peculiarities of the construction of the nests and other facts relating to the nidification of many species. He says, respecting the present bird: “I found one nest built in a grape-vine, overhanging the Sacramento river, and all that I have seen were placed in the immediate vicinity of water. The nest is composed of coarse twigs and grasses, and lined with fine roots. The eggs, four in number, are of a pale blue color, dashed with black spots, and interspersed with a few faint neutral tint blotches, which are more abundant at the larger end.” The name Cañon Finch we have taken the liberty of adopting from Dr. Henry’s manuscript notes in our possession: it was very appropriately given by him with reference to the localities which he has observed to be the favorite haunts of this bird in the mountains of the Far West. DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. Genus Pipilo. Vieillot, Analyse, p. 32. (1816.) Form lengthened, but rather robust; bill short, conical, strong; wings short, rounded, the fourth primary usually longest, but little longer than the third and fifth; tail long, wide, much rounded at the end; tarsi and toes strong, compressed. An American genus, comprising several species of both divisions of this continent. Pipilo fusca. Swainson. Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 434. Form large for this genus; bill rather longer than in other species; tail long, and composed of broad feathers. Dimensions. Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail, about 9 inches; wing, 4⅛; tail, 4⅝ inches. Colors. Entire upper parts olive-brown, with a rufous tinge on the head, and ashy on the scapulars and wing-coverts. Nares, circle around the eye and throat, pale rufous; the latter spotted with black. Breast, sides, and flanks, cinereous; middle of the abdomen white, with a tinge of fulvous; under tail-coverts bright fulvous. Quills and tail-feathers brown, the former edged exteriorly with ashy, the latter with olive. Bill and feet light. Sexes very nearly alike. Hab. California and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.