THE PURPLE FINCH. I39 



AUeghanian Fauna, the latter being in fact its center of 

 abundance in the breeding season, at which time the bird 

 is probably nowhere more numerous than in Massachusetts." 

 In no place have I ever found it so abundant 'as in Nova 

 Scotia. 



Cassin's Purple Finch and the Crimson-fronted are 

 closely-allied western varieties, belonging to the Avi-fauna 

 of the Rocky Mountains. 



The Purple Finch has the extreme robustness or thick- 

 ness of bill belonging to its tribe. It is, however, not 

 merely a seed-eating bird, but has justly awakened no 

 small prejudice in the gardener, on account of its partiality 

 for the tender filaments and fat anthers of fruit-blossoms. 

 But even if fruit-blossoms were not more numerous than is 

 necessary, this bird's bright plumage and wonderful song 

 might well atone for the little mischief it may do. 



