The Birds of Washington (Volume 1 of 2): A complete, scientific and popular account of the 372 species of birds found in the stateDawson, William Leon
Science
The Birds of Washington (Volume 1 of 2): A complete, scientific and popular account of the 372 species of birds found in the state
Dawson, William Leon
Birds -- Washington (State)
These Grosbeaks, or New World Hawfinches, are not to be commended as
horticulturists. In winter they feed largely upon the ground, gleaning
fallen seeds and fruits; and are especially fond of the winged key of
the large-leafed maple (_Acer macrophyllum_). They drop down to such a
feast one by one from the branches above, and it is amusing to note how
the loud cracking of seeds is interspersed with music. A little later
the birds devote themselves to swelling buds, and here too the maple is
a favorite; tho ash, alder, flowering currant, and a dozen more are not
disdained. The damage done is not considerable; for the birds, viewed in
the large, are not numerous enough, all told, to be taken seriously; but
viewed in the concrete, the snip, snip, of those mandibles in the lilac
bushes is no idle joy.
It may be that the key of high C sharp, or whatever it be, _staccato con
moto_, is the accepted love note, and that the green-liveried swain
hurls declarations at his enamorata, like Samson in Handel’s oratorio,
the live-long year. Anyway, his exertions are redoubled in early June,
and he charges about in a reckless frenzy which should make the city
gape. June, 1906, was memorable to us for the abundance of these
Grosbeaks in the vicinity of Spokane. The very air of Cannon Hill and
Hangman’s Creek seemed charged with expectation of Grosbeaks’ nests. But
they were not for us. Nor has the nest yet been taken in Washington.
No. 24.
ALASKAN PINE GROSBEAK.
A. O. U. No. 515c. Pinicola enucleator alascensis Ridgway.
Synonym.—Pine Bullfinch.
Description.—_Adult male_: In highest plumage rosy red (poppy red);
back with dusky centers of feathers; lower belly and under
tail-coverts ashy gray—this high plumage is the exception; in general
the rosy gives place to ashy gray in varying proportions; wings and
tail ashy dusky; tips of middle and greater coverts and outer edges of
exposed tertials white (or rosy). Bill dusky; feet blackish. _Adult
female_: Similar to male but rosy replaced by dingy yellow (varying
from olive-yellow, olive-tawny and ochraceous to bricky red) and
chiefly confined to head, hind-neck and upper tail-coverts (where
brightest); feathers of back frequently tipped with ochraceous and
breast with an ochrey wash. Length about 8.60 (218.4); wing 4.60
(117); tail 3.66 (93); bill .57 (14.5); tarsus .89 (22.7).
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; large, rounded conical beak; red and
gray coloration for size distinctive.
Nesting.—“_Nest_, composed of a basement of twigs and rootlets within
which is a more compact fabric of finer materials. _Eggs_, usually 4,
pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with dark brown surface
markings and lilac shell-spots.” Av. size 1.05 × .74 (26.7 × 18.8).
_Season_: About June 1st; one brood.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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