[Illustration: Plate 17 The Cañon Finch Pipilo fusca (_Swainson_)]
“The habits and manners of this species differ somewhat from those of its relatives, the Towhe and the Arctic Finch (_P. erythropthalmus_, and _P. arctica_). Its flight is more even and regular, as it is without that violent jerking of the tail from side to side which gives such singularity and appearance of awkwardness to the movements of the Towhe. It is also less shy and suspicious than the Arctic Finch, which I occasionally met with in the same regions. The latter I had previously observed with attention in New Mexico, where I procured specimens; and all my observations lead me to pronounce the present species less decidedly a _Ground Finch_ than either of the others, although all are doubtless closely allied.
“The favorite abode of this species appeared to be the vicinity of water-courses, where it was generally seen singly or in pairs, though I have at times surprised eight or ten together, under the shade of a large bush, at noon in a summer-day; and at such times I had no difficulty in procuring, with my gun, three or four specimens before the party was dispersed. In fact, it appeared at all times a familiar bird, boldly coming into the roads to feed, and permitting the close approach of a person either mounted or on foot. If compelled to retreat, it darted suddenly into the thicket, but returned again as soon as the cause of alarm had disappeared. Near Santa Barbara, in the month of July, I found thirty or forty of these birds dispersed over an old field of some five acres in extent, lying contiguous to the sea-beach, and through which a small stream of fresh water trickled as it crept silently away to the sea. Here they were feeding on the ground, sheltered by a rank growth of weeds; and when I flushed one of them as I walked along, he almost invariably flew into a neighboring tree, instead of seeking shelter again in the weeds at a little distance.
“At this time, the birds of the year were fully fledged, and scarcely differed in the color of their plumage from the adults. The rufous tints of the head, the wing-coverts, and the lower parts generally, being only rather more bright and distinct in the old birds than in the others.”