The House Finch {Carpodacus Mexkanus frontalis) 



By S. Waldo Bailey 



Length: About 5^ inches. 



This active and pretty Httle bird is an attractive feature of the landscape of 

 the western United States. It is a common bird throughout its range, which 

 extends from Oregon southward into Lower California and western Mexico. 

 Eastward its range extends to Colorado and the western part of Texas. It is one 

 of the best known of the birds of southern California, where it is often called the 

 California Finch or Linnet. The brightly colored plumage of its head has also 

 given it the name Red-headed Linnet. This bird is better known in many localities 

 by the names Burion and Crimson-fronted Finch. 



The House Finch is not particular in the selection of a site for its home and 

 will build "anywhere, from the limb of any tree to the side of a haystack or a tin 

 can on a porch." Neither is it particular in the choice of building materials, using 

 those which are furnished by its environment. Though the nests are usually con- 

 structed with coarse grasses or weeds and lined with soft fibers, hair or fine roots, 

 the bird may use straws, strings, small roots, strips of bark fibers and hair in the 

 outer wall, and feathers for the lining. It has been known to pre-empt the unoc- 

 cupied nests of other birds, such as those of the oriole, the cliff swallow and also 

 woodpecker holes. 



Dr. J. G. Cooper states that he has found the nests "in trees, on logs and 

 rocks, inside a window shutter, in the holes of walls, under tile or thatch roofs, 

 in haystacks and barns, in the interstices between the sticks of a hawk's nest, and 

 in an old nest of an oriole." Dr. Coues found that this Finch will occupy the old 

 nests of barn swallows, and "not infrequently would take possession by force, 

 after an animated contest, of a nest just finished, making its disconsolate owners, 

 who had little chance against the spirited interlopers, build another nest." 



Its song is lively and varied and is heard throughout the year wherever the 

 bird is a constant resident. When caged they are called California Linnets, and 

 they seem to thrive in captivity though the bright color of the head is said to 

 finally change to yellow. 



Though the House Finch feeds on the seeds of the wild mustard and of other 

 wild herbaceous plants, as well as on the seeds of the cottonwood and other trees, 

 it is also very destructive to the seeds, fruits and tender young plants of gardens. 

 As it enjoys the society of man and seeks his protection, when abundant, it is often 

 very destructive in his cultivated grounds and gains only his enmity. It is not 

 surprising that this pretty bird often becomes a nuisance when we realize that 

 it may raise three broods in a season. 



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