Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

ARIZONA CARDINAL.

593a. Cardinalis c. superbus. 9 inches.

These are birds of vine grown gardens and thickets, where, with their beautiful song, brilliant plumage, and quiet disposition, they make themselves the favorites of mankind. The bill is very large and stout, but the general makeup of the bird, with its long crest, is much to be admired. They build their nest of twigs, roots and grasses, loosely put together, which is placed in bushes, vines or low trees. Their three or four eggs are a pale bluish white, with varied markings or spots of shades of brown, mostly about the larger end (1.00 × .70). Found in Arizona and into Mexico.

ARIZONA PYRRHULOXIA.

594. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata. 8½ inches.

The bill of these birds is more hooked, short and stout like the parrots. Their crest, which is not as heavy as the Cardinals, they have the habit of raising and lowering often, changing the whole appearance of the bird. Their nesting habits and eggs are similar to the last.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.

596. Zamelodia melanocephala. 7½ inches.