_Fringilla vespertina_, COOPER, Annals New York Lyceum, N. H. I, ii,
1825, 220 (Sault St. Marie).—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 515; V,
235, pl. ccclxxiii, ccccxxiv. _Fringilla_ (_Coccothraustes_)
_vespertina_, BON. Syn. 1828, 113.—IB. Am. Orn. II, pl. xv.
_Coccothraustes vespertina_, SW. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 269.—AUD.
Birds Am. III, 1841, 217, pl. ccvii. _Hesperiphona vespertina_,
BON. Comptes Rendus, XXXI, Sept. 1850, 424.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am.
1858, 409.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 195.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 174.
_Coccothraustes bonapartii_, LESSON, Illust. de Zoöl. 1834, pl.
xxxiv. ♀ (Melville Island). _Loxia bonapartii_, LESS. Bull. Sc.
tab. xxv. _Hesperiphona vespertina_, var. _vespertina_, RIDGWAY
(new variety from Mexico and the southern Rocky Mountains).
SP. CHAR. Bill yellowish-green, dusky at the base. Anterior half of
the body dusky yellowish-olive, shading into yellow to the rump above,
and the under tail-coverts below. Outer scapulars, a broad frontal
band continued on each side over the eye, axillaries, and middle of
under wing-coverts yellow. Feathers along the extreme base of the
bill, the crown, tibiæ, wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail black;
inner greater wing-coverts and tertiaries white. Length, 7.30; wing,
4.30; tail, 2.75.
The female differs in having the head of a dull olivaceous-brown,
which color also glosses the back. The yellow of the rump and other
parts is replaced by a yellowish-ash. The upper tail-coverts are
spotted with white. The white of the wing is much restricted. There is
an obscure blackish line on each side of the chin.
HAB. (Var. _vespertina_.) Pacific coast to Rocky Mountains; Northern
America east to Lake Superior. (Var. _montana_.) Southern Rocky
Mountains of United States into Mexico; Orizaba! (SCLATER, 1860, 251);
Vera Cruz (alpine regions, breeding) SUMICHRAST, Pr. Bost. Soc. I,
550; Guatemala, SALVIN.
[Illustration: _Hesperiphona vespertina._]
The variety with broad frontal band and increased amount of white
appears to characterize Northern specimens, while that with narrow
frontlet and the greatest amount of black is found in Guatemala,
Mexico, and the southern Rocky Mountains, and may be called _montana_.
In size it is also a little smaller. Specimens from Mirador (where
breeding) and those from New Mexico are nearly identical in size,
proportions, and colors.
HABITS. This remarkable Grosbeak was first described by Mr. William
Cooper, from specimens obtained by Mr. Schoolcraft in April, 1823,
near the Sault Sainte Marie, in Michigan. Sir John Richardson soon
after found it to be a common inhabitant of the maple groves on the
plains of the Saskatchewan, where it is called by the Indians the
“Sugar-Bird.” He states that it frequents the borders of Lake Superior
also, and the eastern declivity of the Rocky Mountains, in latitude
56°.
Captain Blakiston did not find this Grosbeak on the Saskatchewan
during the summer, but only noticed it there during the winter. He saw
none after the 22d of April, and not again until the middle of
November. They were seen in company with the Pine Grosbeak, feeding on
the keys of the ash-leaved maple. He adds that it has a sharp clear
note in winter, and is an active bird.
Dr. Cooper, in his Notes on the Zoölogy of Washington Territory,
states that this species is a common resident in its forests, but adds
that as it frequents the summits of the tallest trees, its habits have
been but little observed. In January, 1854, during a snow-storm, a
flock descended to some low bushes at Vancouver, and began to eat the
seeds. Since then he had only seen them flying high among the tops of
the poplars, upon the seeds of which they feed. They were uttering
their loud, shrill call-notes as they flew.
The same writer, in his Report on the birds of California, makes
mention of the occurrence of this Grosbeak at Michigan Bluffs, in
Placer County, in about latitude 39°. Specimens were obtained by Mr.
F. Gruber, and were probably the variety designated as _montana_. The
same form doubtless occurs along the summits of the Sierra Nevada, and
they have been traced among the Rocky Mountains to Fort Thorn in New
Mexico.
These birds do not come down near the sea-coast even at the mouth of
the Columbia, and in California have not been met with in the Coast
Range. They are said to feed chiefly on the seeds of the pine, spruce,
and cottonwood trees, occasionally seeking other seeds near the
ground. They are silent when feeding, but utter a loud call-note as
they fly from place to place. In spring, Dr. Cooper states, they have
a short but melodious song, resembling that of the Robin or
Black-headed Grosbeak. He afterwards met with a flock in the winter
near Santa Cruz, where they remained until the end of April. Their
favorite resort was a small grove of alders and willows, close to the
town, where their loud call-notes could be heard at all times of the
day, though he never heard them sing. In the early spring their
favorite food was the young leaves of various wild plants that grew
under the trees. They also fed on the buds of the _Negundo_, and
frequented the large pear-trees in the old mission garden. They were
very tame, and allowed an approach to within a few yards, when
feeding. Mr. Townsend, in 1836, found this Grosbeak abundant about the
Columbia River. Late in May they were quite numerous in the pine
woods. They were very unsuspicious and tame. Under the impression that
these birds were only musical towards night, they have been styled the
Evening Grosbeak. But this, according to Mr. Townsend, is a misnomer.
He also contraverts several other statements made in reference to
their habits. He found them remarkably noisy from morning until night,
when they quietly retire like other birds, and are not heard from
until the next day-dawn. They go in large flocks, and are rarely met
with singly. As they feed upon the seeds of the pine and other trees,
they proceed by a succession of hops to the extremities of the
branches. They also feed largely on the larvæ of the large black ant,
for which object they frequent the tops of the low oaks on the edges
of the forests. Their ordinary voice is said to be a single screaming
note, uttered while feeding. At times, about midday, the male attempts
a song, which Mr. Townsend describes as a miserable failure. It is a
single note, a warbling call like the first note of the Robin, but not
so sweet, and suddenly checked, as if the performer were out of
breath.
Mr. Sumichrast met with the variety of this species designated as
_montana_, May, 1857, in the pine woods of Monte Alto, about twelve
leagues from Mexico; and although he has never found it in the alpine
region of Vera Cruz, he thinks it probable it will be found to be a
resident of that district.
Lake Superior has been stated to be its most eastern point of
occurrence, but, though this may be true as a general rule, several
instances of the accidental appearance of this nomadic species much
farther to the east are known. On February 14, 1871, Mr. Kumlien,
while out in the woods with his son, saw a small flock of these birds
in Dane County, Wisconsin. There were six of them, but, having no gun,
he did not procure any. Later in the season he again met with and
secured specimens. In the following March, Dr. Hoy of Racine also
obtained several near that city. He also informs me that during the
winter of 1870-71 there were large flocks of these birds near
Freeport, Ill. One person procured twenty-four specimens. One season
he noticed them as late as May. They frequent the maple woods, and
feed on the seeds fallen on the ground. They also eat the buds of the
wild cherry. Their visits are made at irregular intervals. In some
years not a single individual can be seen, while in others they make
their appearance in December and continue through the whole winter.
Specimens have also been obtained near Cleveland, Ohio, and at
Hamilton, Canada; and Mr. Thomas McIlwraith states that Mr. T. J.
Cottle of Woodstock, Ontario, shot several of these birds in his
orchard in the month of May. They were quite numerous, and remained
about the place several days.