202 PURPLE FINCH. 



forest tree, he utters a low, wild, questioning whistle. 

 With crown-feathers slightly erect he seems alert and 

 restless, and before we can fairly see him is oii again to 

 parts unknown. 



Purple Finches, in small companies, may often be 

 seen feeding near the ground with Goldfinches, but if 

 alarmed they soon return to the tree tops. The old males 

 may be known by their pinkish red color, which is bright- 

 est on the head and breast, and fades to l)rownish on the 

 lower back and tail and white on the belly. The young 

 males and females are Sparrowlike in appearance, the 

 upper parts being dark grayish brown, the under parts 

 white, streaked with dusky. A whitish line passing over 

 the eye is a characteristic mark. 



During the winter Purple Finches are irregularly dis- 

 tributed throughout most of the Eastern States, but in 

 summer they are not found south of northern ]^ew Jer- 

 sey. They now become more social and may nest in our 

 gardens. Generally a coniferous tree is selected, and the 

 nest of twigs, grasses, and rootlets is 23laced at a height of 

 about twenty feet. The eggs, four to six in number, are 

 blue, spotted with dusky about the larger end. 



Count yourself fortunate if a Purple Finch makes his 

 home near yours. He may appropriate a few buds and 

 blossoms, but he will repay you with music and leave you 

 his debtor. His song is a sweet, flowing warble ; music 

 as natural as the rippling of a mountain brook. 



Some morning early in May you may meet the Rose- 

 breasted Grosbeak, just returned from a winter's sojourn 



in South America. Perhaps his fame 



Eose-breasted .,, , i i i . i -n 



Grosbeak ^^^^^ have preceded him, when you will 



Zameiodia in a measure be prepared for his charms 



ludoviciana. ^f gQj^o^ ^ud plumRo^e, and so miss the 



Plate LIV. , ^^ , X • 1 ^ + 



keener pleasure oi surprise ; but to me 

 he appeared as a revelation, and after fifteen years I still 



