416 HISTORY OF TEE 



Genus CARPODACUS Kaup. 



"Bill short, stout, vaulted; the culmeu clecui'ved towards the end; the com- 

 missure nearly straight to the slightly decurved end. A slight development of 

 bristly feathers along the sides of the bill, concealing the nostrils. Tarsus 

 shorter than the middle toe; lateral claws reaching to the base of the middle 

 one. Claw of hind toe much curved, smaller than the middle one, and rather 

 less than the digital portion. Wings long and pointed, reaching to the middle 

 of the tail, which is considerably shorter than tlie wing, and moderately forked. 

 Colors red, or red and brown. Female with the red replaced by brown." 



Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.). 



PURPLE FINCH. 

 PLATE XXVI. 



A rare winter sojourner; during migration, not uncommon in 

 the eastern portion of the State. Leave in March; a few occa- 

 sionally linger until the first of April; begin to return in Sep- 

 tember. 



B. 305. R. 168. C. 194. G. 85, 203. U. 517. 



Habitat. Eastern North America; north to Labrador and 

 the Saskatchewan; west to the high plains; wintering in the 

 Southern States; breeding from about latitude 40° northward. 



Sp. Char. "Second quill longest; first shorter than third, considerably 

 longer than the fourth. Body crimson, palest on the rump and breast, darkest 

 across the middle of back and wing coverts, where the feathers have dusky cen- 

 ters. The red extends below continnously to the lower part of the breast, and 

 in spots to the tibia. The belly and under tail coverts white, streaked faintly 

 with brown, except in the very middle. Edges of wings and tail feathers brown- 

 ish red; lesser coverts like the back; two reddish bands across the wings (over 

 the ends of the middle and greater coverts). Lores dull grayish. Female: Oliva- 

 ceous brown above, brighter on the rump. Beneath white; all the feathers 

 everywhere streaked with brown, except on the middle of the belly and under 

 coverts. A superciliary light stripe." 



Iris dark brown; bill dark brown above, a shade paler beneath, 

 with a faint bluish tint; legs and feet brown; claws blackish. 



These birds are very social and unsuspicious in their habits, 

 frequenting the orchards and groves about the dwelling houses; 

 the evergreen trees seem to be their favorites. They feed upon 

 seeds, berries, insects, etc., and in the early spring largely upon 



