WESTERN BIRDS rinch or Idnnet 



SUBGENUS BURRICA: HOUSE FINCH 

 OR LINNET. 



House Finch or Linnet: Carpodacus mexicanus 

 frontalis. 



FAMILY— FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



The most common bird in southern California is the 

 House Finch, or Linnet, as he is more commonly called. 

 In plumage he resembles the Purple Finch, having per- 

 haps less of the rosy shade over the back and having 

 the white belly sharply streaked with brown. Some- 

 times these birds are very vivid in their red coloring 

 which shows most conspicuously on head, rump, throat 

 and breast; sometimes the shade is dull and more of a 

 rose, but as these are the only common birds having 

 this coloring, they are unmistakable. The females are 

 much streaked gray birds which are lighter below and 

 lack the white line over the eye which the Purple 

 Finch has. 



These birds are residents and at all times of year the 

 gurgling, bubbling song of the male peals forth in no 

 uncertain way. Even during August, when so often 

 most birds are quiet, this irrepressible, jolly good fellow 

 sings his canary-like song. The common note is a 

 cheep? or sweet? given with rising inflection. At the 

 nesting season, which begins early and ends late, the 

 male pours forth his soul on wing, being too full of joy 

 to remain quiet. He also often stations himself below 

 his lady-love on some twig and with wings extended, and 

 every feather on end, looks adoringly up at her while he 

 sings like mad, now and then shifting his position but 

 never ceasing his song. The notes pour forth so fast 

 that they seem to trip each other. Never have I heard 

 such impetuous, furious singing. 



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