36 BIRDS OF P. E. ISLAND. 



The Purple Finch, or Linnet (Carpodacus pur- 

 pureus) is here also sometimes in winter, but he 

 is always one of our gayest summer field - birds. 

 He is not larger than a Sparrow, but his brilliant 

 red color, his vivacity of manner, and the beauty, 

 variety and gaiety of his song make him one of 

 our most attractive birds. In April his rich, 

 joyous rhapsody is heard from the naked wood- 

 lands. In May he mounts into the sky on 

 hovering ^ying, like the Lark, singing as he soars. 

 In June he is bounding over the fields, with a 

 quick, clear call - note, gathering hair and grass 

 for his nest in the thick spruce tree. And then, 

 while his mate quietly attends to the family 

 duties, he is away on the tall fir top with the 

 summer breeze and the blue sky about him, pour- 

 ing out such strains of joyous melody that the 

 summer breeze and the sky seem only made to 

 bear them on their bosom. 



The Crossbills are wayward wanderers which 

 come in large flocks some falls, and again 

 are unseen for years. I'he White - winged 



( Loxia leucoptera) is a rich, red - plumed bird 

 with blackish wings and tail, the former with two 

 conspicuous white cross - bars. They have the 



