163 



The charge that it damages trees by picking off the buds may contain 

 an element of truth, but cannot be seriously considered as a source of 

 appreciable damage. 



515. Pine Grosbeak, fr. — le gros-bec des pins. Pinicola enucleator. L, 9-08. 

 Plate XXVIII B. 



Distinctions. From descriptions, the females of the Pine and Evening Grosbeaks 

 might possibly be confused as they are both grey overwashed with yellow; but the yellow 

 in the Pine Grosbeak is stronger, especially on head and rump, rather rusty instead of 

 clear lemon, and is superimposed on the body colour instead of seeming to show vaguely 

 through. The dark bill of the species is also diagnostic. 



Field Marks. Size, dark grosbeak bill, and general red of adult males. The majority 

 of the birds which visit Canada are in the dull female plumage, hence the general effect 

 is that of a flock of large, dull slate-coloured birds warming to yellow on head and rump 

 in favourite lights, accompanied by an occasional red individual. The ordinary notes 

 are ridiculously small and fine for so large a bird, though it also has a clear, loud whistle. 



Nesting. In coniferous trees; in nest of twigs and rootlets. 



Distribution. As a species, confined to the northern parts of the northern hemi- 

 sphere. The Canadian Pine Grosbeak breeds in the coniferous forest of the north, west 

 to the Mackenzie river, migrating to settled sections only in winter. 



SUBSPECIES. There are several subspecies in Canada, the eastern form, the 

 Canadian Pine Grosbeak P. e. leucura, being the only one which comes within the scope 

 of this work. 



These are irregular winter visitors from the north. Their presence 

 with us can rarely be anticipated, though they may occur any winter 

 almost anywhere in eastern Canada. They are frequenters of coniferous 

 trees, but are fond of Mountain Ash or Rowan berries and the fruit of 

 the sumach. 



Economic Status. As the Pine Grosbeak spends the summer in the 

 northern woods and only visits settled sections in winter, the damage 

 it can do is reduced to a minimum. It eats wild and waste fruit left 

 hanging on the trees so that its economic effect is too slight to be appre- 

 ciable. It has been accused of destroying fruit buds, but the damage it 

 thus does, if any, is very slight. There is every humanitarian reason for 

 protecting the species and no serious charge can be brought against it. 



517. Purple Finch, hefling. fr. — le pinson poupre. Carpodacus purpureus 

 L, 6-22. Plate XXIX A. 



Distinctions. Size and general coloration of male are distinctive. Female is streaked 

 in olive-browns, but the general evenness of the olive cast to the coloration, and abundance 

 of streaks below are quite characteristic. The bill is rather larger for the size of the bird 

 than in other species except the Grosbeaks. 



Field Marks. Size, general coloration, sometimes resembhng a small Pine Grosbeak, 

 and striking song are the best field marks. 



Nesting. In coniferous trees; in nest of twigs, grass, and rootlets. 



Distribution. As a species it occupies all America between Mexico and Canada. 

 In eastern Canada it extends north to the extreme hmit of regular settlement. Along 

 the southern borders it is a regular winter visitor breeding less commonly than farther 

 north. 



SUBSPECIES. The Purple Finch is represented by two subspecies; the eastern 

 Canadian form. Eastern Purple Finch, is the type of the species. 



The Purple Finch, though so-called, is not purple; "magenta" would 

 better describe its coloration. It is one of our finest songsters and is 

 occasionally caged for that purpose. Like its allies, the Pine Grosbeak 

 and the Crossbills, when kept in captivity it loses the bright redness of 

 its plumage and assumes a ruddy yellow, so peculiar and characteristic 

 that escaped caged birds can be recognized on sight. The song is a con- 



