226 BIRDS OF ILLIN'018. 



crimson color of the adult males, heightened by contrast with the 

 snow, was a great surprise to the writer, then a boy of thirteen, 

 and excited intense interest in this, to him, new bird. On subse- 

 quent occasions during the same winter, they were found under like 

 circumstances, and also in "sycamore" or buttonwood trees, feeding 

 on the small seeds contained within the "balls" of this tree. 



The Purple Finch may possibly breed in the extreme northera 

 portion of the State, but has not? yet been recorded, so far as the 

 writer is aware, as doing so. 



From Ulxtitrij of North American Birds (Vol. I., pp. 4G3, 464) we 

 quote the following paragraphs, by Dr. T. M. Brewer, pertaining to 

 the breeding habits of this species : 



"The Pui-ple Finch, or, as it is generally kno\\Ti in New England, 

 the Linnet, is one of our sweetest, best, and most constant song- 

 sters, and is often trapped and sold as a cage bird. They soon 

 become accustomed and partially reconciled to their confinement,' 

 but sing only during a small part of the year. When one of these 

 bu-ds, confined in a cage, is hung outside the bouse, in the counti-y, 

 he is sure to draw around liim quite a number of his species, and 

 this furnishes the dealer a ready means of capturmg them. 



"The song of the Purple Finch resembles that of the Canary, and 

 though less varied and powerful, is softer, sweeter, and more touch- 

 ing and pleasing. The notes of this species may be heard from 

 the last of May until late in September, and in the long summer 

 evening are often continued until it is quite dark. Their song has 

 all the beauty and pathos of the Warbling Vireo, and greatly 

 resembles it, but is more powerful and full in tone. It is a very 

 interesting sight to watch one of these little performers in the 

 midst of his song. He appears perfectly absorbed in his work, — 

 his form is dilated, liis crest is erected, his throat expands, and he 

 seems to be utterly unconscious of all around liim. But let an 

 intruder of his own race appear within a few feet of the singer, and 

 the song instantly ceases, and in a violent fit of indignation he 

 chases him away." 



Genus LOXIA Lixnjei-s. 



Lnria LiNSSUS, Syst. Nnt cd. 10. 1758. 171. Type. Loria cnrrirOKtra LiKS. 



"Gen. Chab. Mantilblcs muoh olonKnted, pomprosscd and iittLMiimtod; (rroiitly 

 curved or falcntp. the points proRsiiiK or oviTliipiiinc to ii (;r<'at<-r or loss dcKrci'. Tarsi 

 very short; rlaws all very lonK. tlio lateral extiiidiiic beyonil llie middle of the eontnil; 

 hind plaw lonRer than its dicit. Wines very lonR and pointed, reaehInK beyond Uie 

 middle of the narrow, forked tall. Colors reddish in the male. 



