6S THE WILSON QUARTERLY, 



and from my own observations in Iowa and Ohio. To these 

 gentlemen I desire to express my thanks for their interest- 

 ing and valuable notes. 



A number of interesting questions have arisen as we 

 proceeded with the report. Can we not^ in our further 

 study, satisfactorily answer them? Our interest grows in 

 proportion to the effort we expend in study and research. 

 Let us increase our interest. 



Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. 



Mr. D. D. Stone finds this finch a common breeder in Os- 

 wego Co., N. Y. He finds the first nest as early as May 8, 

 and the last as late as June 30. The bird builds preferably 

 in fir, spruce, or cedar trees, but he has twice found nests 

 in apple trees. From three to five eggs are laid. They are 

 greenish in color, finely dotted with dark browns and 

 blacks. 



Spinus tristis. American Goldfinch. 



There seems to be considerable confusion among observ- 

 ers between Goldfinch and Yellow Warbler. Several 

 records are very evidently for those of the Warbler and 

 not of Goldfinch. The Warbler is strictly a migrant, and 

 does not arrive from the South until the first of May, while 

 Goldfinch is a resident nearly throughout the United States. 

 In winter he appears in plain dress and is easily overlooked, 

 especially since his song gives place to a very sparrow-like 

 "chip." The difficulty is aggravated by the fact that Gold- 

 finch dons his yellow and black summer dress about the 

 same time that the Warblers arrive from the South. Bear 

 in mind that the Yellow Warbler nests in May and June, 

 and that Goldfinch waits until July and August. Don't let 

 these two birds give you any more trouble. 



Mr. Stone has found nests in New York as early as July 

 8; and Mr. Strong in Wisconsin as early as June 10. These 

 are exceptional dates. In Iowa I have never found a nest 

 before the middle of July. The last found was September 

 G, four fresh eggs. 



At Lansing, N. Y., fruit trees are preferred as nesting 

 places, the peach being chosen oftenest. In Milwaukee Co., 



