52 BIRDS OF FIELD, FO REST AND PARK 



in plumage and song, one whose acquaintance 

 should be made as early as possible. They 

 usually travel in small bands, often in the com- 

 pany of Goldfinches and Sparrows. Their pres- 

 ence in flight is made know^n to you by a queer 

 little squeak, low and sibilant, a sound that has 

 been said to suggest that their wing-joints need 

 oiling. 



In April, Purple Finches are found in low bush 

 ricks, by the walls, along the brookside and 

 in the orchard, where I fear they sometimes 

 pluck the swelling fruit buds. Let us hope that 

 if this knowledge comes to the ear of the farmer, 

 he will kindly accept in payment their happy 

 presence and delightful warble; for it would 

 seem a great pity for him to intercept the 

 career of such brilliant members of the bird 

 choir. 



As a singer this bird is placed near the head 

 of the Sparrow-Finch family, no mean honor. 

 In fact Mr. Matthews says he has no equal when 

 his method, which is that of a warbler, is con- 

 sidered. His strain is much more pretentious 

 than that of the warbling Vireo. The song is 

 full, rich, varied and prolonged. When I find 

 them nesting in the north woods in midsummer 

 they often add two or three notes I do not hear 

 in the open country to the south. Would it not 

 be very interesting to know the cause of this.f* 

 We first hear his song with the approach of the 

 mating season, in late April, and he is rather 

 a steady performer throughout the summer. 

 When I find Purple Finches in the South in 

 winter, stuffing themselves with poke berries, 



