THE PURPLE FINCH 



NONE of our smaller finches, except the goldfinch 

 and indigo bunting are more beautiful in color 

 tlian tlie purple finch which wears a Tyrian purple, 

 rather than the shade we commonly know. 



Few members of the family sing more sweetly and 

 joyously than this songster of the treetops. His delight- 

 ful warble resembles somewhat the song of the rose- 

 breasted grosbeak, and attracts attention wherever the 

 bird is to be found. Several purple finches singing from 

 neighboring elm trees at once, makes a May or June con- 

 cert not easily excelled. Mr. Forbush says: "The song 

 of the male is a sudden, joyous burst of melody, vigorous, 

 but clear and pure, which no mere words can do justice. 

 When, filled with ecstasy, he mounts in air and hangs with 

 fluttering wings above the trees where sits the one who 

 holds his aflfections, his efforts far transcend his ordinary 

 tones, and a continuous melody flows forth, until, ex- 

 hausted with his vocal eff^orts, he sinks to the level of his 

 spouse in the treetop. This is a musical species, for some 

 females sing, though not so well as the males." ^ 



The bird has been accused of eating the buds of fruit 

 and shade trees, especially elms, and while he is at times 

 guilty, he is not condemned by those who know his food- 

 habits best, but commended for his fondness for weed 

 seeds, especially ragweed, and for destroying plant-lice, 

 cankerworms, cutworms, and ground beetles." 



His cousin, the house finch, or linnet of California, 

 who is brighter in color, is more beloved by tourists and 

 more hated by fruit-growers than almost any bird in the 

 state. Professor Beal writes: "This bird, like the other 



1 & 2 From "Useful Birds and Their Protection," by E. H. Forbush. 



[159] 



