434 APPENDIX 



from two great Pepperidge trees in Birder aft Sanctuary 

 as quickly and more completely than they did my cherries 

 in June. 



**THE PURPLE FINCH 



In size and build much like the English Sparrow. Male — body 

 much streaked with brown and gray and washed with rose red. 

 This colour is brightest on crown, breast and rump. Under parts 

 whitish or light gray. Females and the young of the first season 

 have no pink markings. They are much streaked with gray and 

 brown and at the first glance might be taken for sparrows. The 

 forked tail, heavy round bill and bristles over the nostrils will tell 

 you the difference. 



Though these handsome birds nest as far south as 

 New Jersey, New York and Long Island, and are nota- 

 ble for their gushing, warbled song wherever they nest, 

 they are most conspicuous when they come as winter 

 visitors. Here at Birdcraft Sanctuary we are feeding 

 a flock of between thirty and forty of them, about a third 

 being the brilliantly coloured old males. They mingle 

 with the Juncos, Tree Sparrows and all the smaller winter 

 birds in complete accord, feeding on sunflower seeds. 



Sometimes we must replenish the feeding trays two or 

 three times a day, cold weather gives the birds such 

 hearty appetites ; besides, plenty of food is the fuel that 

 keeps the birds warm and makes them able to stay with 

 us. 



The charming picture that they make against the snow 

 banks and ice draped trees is pay enough for anything 

 that humans can do for them, and then too, before they 

 scatter to their summer homes, they always give us a 

 joyous concert in early May. 



