PVIU'Li: FIMII "^^^ 



<lc<'iily r.n-ki'i! tnil. T':o feiiialf~ iiinl ymini; of />on/o/;,s aiv niorc finely streaked ahnvo and hclow. I cnnnut cunsistcntly 

 '•onniler t'le so ealleil " Calif oniiais" anil '"CassinH" iis spooics, so give tlieui as synonyms. DistrihutPil (luriii;; summer 

 ncroKj: the Continent u irtli of latitude 40'. Wintei-s between latitudas 42" and 30". Rare in Novtlicrn l''lorida. 



DDIEXSIOXS. 



Average measurements of twenty-seven specimens. Lrnjrtli, .5"i)5; stretch, 8'i)5; wing, 4'35; tail, 2'20; V>ill, '57; tar- 

 .sus,-45. Longest specimen, 0'35; greatest extent of wing, 10'4(); hmgest wing, 3'47; tail,i2"40; bill, -70; tarsus, '50. Short- 

 est specimen, 5 50; smallest extent of wing, 9"47; shortest wing, 3'I'2; tail, S'OO; bill, '42; tarsus, -45. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nrxts, placed in trees, compo.sed of small twigs and fine roots, lined with horse-hair and strips of fibrous bark, usually 

 f;-oni cedar trees. Dimensions; external diameter, 4'50, internal, 2-75. External depth, 2'50, internal, I'GO. 



l^i/i/s, f jurorfivein number, oval in form, light-blue in color, spotted and dotted, irregularly, with ))lack, lilac, and 

 umber. The black markings occasionally form lines. Diman-ions from 'SSx'Gd to 'SOx'SO. 



IIAGITS. 



When the stately elm trees of New Eugland are putting forth their blossoms, whicli 

 always appear wlion the trees are destitute of leaves, troops of Purple Finches may be seen 

 perched on the high l)ranchcs, eagerly devouring the bursting buds. Later, when the 

 apple trees are covered with pink and white flowers, these birds visit them in order to feed 

 on the petals. Finches which I have dissected at this time were literally crammed with 

 such food. This practice must be detrimental to the fruit as many stamens are also detach- 

 ed by the Finches when they are removing the petals. As these birds eat but few insects, 

 subsisting the greater portion of the year upon seeds and berries of the cedar, they never 

 recompense the husbandman for the injury which they do him. In spite of this, however, 

 the Red Linnets, as they are commonly called, are great favorites with almost everybody, 

 which is mainly due to the fact that their song is exceedingly fine bcnng a continuous, rip- 

 pling melody, but their musical qualities are frequontly a cause of misfortune to them as 

 many are captured and caged. They thrive well in confinement, amply rewarding the care 

 wliich is bestowed upon them by freipiently pnuriug forth their charming carol. Contrary 

 to the rule, the females sing although not as loudly as the males, but the song is nearly as 

 fine. This species is at least three years in acquiring the full dress, but the young breed 

 wliih' in the gray plumage. The nests are usually placed in low cedars and I have known 

 of several pairs to occupy adjacent trees. They are not very solicitous for the safety of 

 their eggs, merely uttering a few alarm notes if disturbed. When frightened they will 

 dart into the nearest evergreen tree and remain perfectly quiet. One can then pass direct- 

 ly under the birds without causing them to move, and, although there may be several, it 

 is extremely difficult to discern them. Then suddenly one who is eviilently the leader, 

 will utter a peculiar, chucking nute when instantly they will all spring into the air, rising 

 and falling in their undulating fiight until they disappear in the distance. The males have 

 the somewhat similar habit of rising to a considerable height then descending slowly with 

 wings h( Id upwards, at the same time singing Imidly. This is practiced only during the 

 breeding season and usually in the immediate vicinity of the nests. 



The Purple Finches remain in Massachusetts in small flocks all winter, f're<iucnting 

 some thick grove, but they are much more connnon at this season in the i)iuc woods of 

 Pennsylvania. They also occur on the plantations of the Carolinas and I have seen then:, 

 on one or two occasions, near Jacksduvilie. They appear to prefer the open couuf ry whili 



