494 CARP on A c us p imp ureus. 



J exer saw. Not only will they endeavor to defend one of their own nnmber when it fe 

 injui'od hut will even heed the cry of distress of other species. I once saw this trait ex- 

 hibited in a very striking manner. I was collecting at Miami and had shot a Maryland 

 Yellow-throat which fell to the ground Iiadly wounded, but chirping loudly. This sound 

 attracted the attention of a female Cardinal that was in the same thicket. She instantly 

 came lo the spot and alighted over the Warbler which was then lying panting on the ground. 

 After examining it anxiously for a moment she dropped down, hopped up to it, and, gently 

 taking it by one wing, endeavored to raise it. The little sufferer was by this time nearly 

 dead and consequently unable to stand, readily comprehending that her efforts were quite 

 useless and perceiving my approach the Cardinal slowly retreated manifesting by every 

 movement as well as note the deepest pity for the unfortun;ite bird. Nor are the Red Birds- 

 lacking in courage, for they will defend themselves even when badly wounded, biting veiy 

 fiercely with their strong bcnks. As their virtues are many and their vices very few, the 

 Cardinals well merit the ap;^irol).;tion which is tendered them everywhere. 



Gi:XUS XII. CAKrODACUS. THE I'URPLE FINCHES. 



(Jen. Cir. Bill, tliich^ sumcwhat s:Bollcn nl hasc. Ujj/icr mam/ililv, curretl. Win(;s, much longer than Ihv tail ivhkh is 

 decidedly forliiil . Sicrnum, slout, trilh the eoracoids considerably shorter than the top of the keel which is cijual in hciijht to 

 one half the length of the eoracoids. Head, s^ih-ercsted. Size, medium. 



Tlie males are brijrlitly colored bul the females are duller. The adult males are streaked abone, the females and young- 

 abiivc and below. No imimiueiit white iuavkiny;s on the tail. 



CARPODACUS PURPUREUS. 



Purple Finch. 



Carpodacus pyirpurea, (Jrav's Cienera; 1848-49. 

 i'arpodiinis Culifiirnicvs, Ijaird, liirds N. A.; 1858, 413. 

 i'drpwlucws Cnssmii. I!.\ini), Binls N. A.; 1858,414. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sr. Ch. Form, robnst. Size, not largo. Tongue, very .short and fleshy, triangular in form, rounded at the extrem- 

 ity which is fringed with fine cilia. Sternum as given aliove. There is a rounded sub-crest of pointed feathcis. 



Color. Adult male. Dull rrimson-lake, brightest on the head, palest on the rump, streaked on the Itack, sides, and 

 flanfa; with dusky. Abdomen and under tail coverts, white, with the latter tinged with crimson-lake. Wings and tail,, 

 brown, with the outer edges of all the feathcis ])ale-crimson. There are two wing bars of the same color. Lores aud ring 

 around eye, gray. Under wing coverts, white, tinged with crimson. Dill, lirown. Feet, dark brown. 



Adult female. Olivaceous-l)rown above, streaked with dusky. The wing bars are whitish. There are indications of 

 a whitish superciliary line. Beneath, wliite, streaked and spotted everywhere, excepting on the aMomen and under tail 

 coverts, with olivaceous-l)rown. Other portions similar to those of the male. 



Youny. Similar to the adult female, liut with agreenlsli fiverwashing above and with yellowish-rufous edgings to the 

 markings below. The superciliary line is clearer and the bill is darker. 



Nestlinys. Are overwasbed with yellowish-rufous above and below, even the under tail coverts are tinged with it. 

 The streakings are finer and the colors are more suffu,sed. There are no indications of the white superciliary line. The 

 feet and bill are of a darker brown. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Specimens vary greatly in shade of color. Spring birds are somewhat brighter than winter specimens, but this is main- 

 ly due to the wearing away of the paler edges of the featliei-s. The white of the abdomen is aL-^^o more extended on some 

 than on others. When kejH in confinement this sjiecies assumes a cage plumage of a dull yellow, Imt Mr. Brewster shot ai 

 s])eeimen, colored in this manner, which was in company with several that were in normal plumage, and two skins of maltN, 

 now liefore me, wliich are in full sjjring dress, have scattering feathers of a yellow color on the throat. A skin which I 

 look at Williamsport, Penn.sylvania, Ls quite yellow on the back. 



Km iwn from the closely allied frontalis by the duller colors, which are comparatively uuifunn alxivc, and tliC more 



