414 



U. S, p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



List of specimens. 



CAEPODACUS CASSmir, Baird. 



Cassin's Purple Finch. 



Carpodacus cassinli, Bjsird, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phila. VII, June, 1854, 119. Colorado River. 



Sp\ Ch. — Larger than C.jwfpureus. Bill .65 of an inch above. Second and tliird quills longest ; first longer tliau fourth. 

 Above pale grayish brown, the feathers streaked with darker brown, and with only an occasional gloss of reddish, except on 

 the crown, which is uniform deep crimson, and on the rump. Sides of the head and neck, throat and upper part of breast with 

 rump, pale rose color ; rest of under parts white, very faintly and sparsely streaked with brown. Female without any red, 

 and streaked on tlie head and under parts with brown. Length, 6.50 ; wing, 3.60 ; tail, 2.60. 



Iltti.- — Rocky mountains and valley of the Colorado. 



This is the largest of the American purple finches, and is conspicuously different from the 

 others in the size and unusual elongation of the bill. This is very nearly straight above to 

 within one-third or fourth of the end, and then curves gently to the tip ; the cutting edge of 

 the mandible is sinuated in the middle. The proportions of the quills, as given above, are 

 pretty constant, although sometimes the second quill is longest, and sometimes the first as long 

 as the second. The tail is moderately forked ; the feathers broad. 



There is rather more of red on the nape than on the back, wliere this color is only occasionally 

 visible. The rose of the breast is not abruptly defined, but passes gradually into the white of 

 the belly. 



This species is more like C j)ur2mretis than the other North American purple finches, but is 

 larger and otherwise easily distinguished. The bill is mucb larger, and longer proportionally. 

 The proportions of the quills are different ; the tail less deeply forked, and the feathers broader. 

 Tlie crimson of the head is brighter ; tliere is much less red on the back, althougb tho crown and 

 riiiiip patches are not abruptly defined. The streaks on the back are darker and more oonspic- 

 uous. The red of the throat and breaijl is much paler and does not extend so far back ; there 



