PURPLE FINCH. 
517. Carpodacus purpureus. 61, inches. 
Male dull rosy red; female streaked brownish gray. 
These beautiful songsters are common in the north- 
ern tier of states and in Canada. In spring the males 
are usually seen on, or heard from, tree tops in 
orchards or parks, giving forth their glad carols. They 
are especially musical in spring when the snow is just 
leaving the ground and the air is bracing. After fam- 
ily cares come upon them, they are quite silent, the 
male only occasionally indulging in a burst of song. 
Song.—A loud, long-continued and very sweet warble; 
eall, a querulous whistle. 
Nest.—Of strips of bark, twigs, rootlets and grasses, 
placed at any height in evergreens or orchard trees. 
The eggs resemble, somewhat, large specimens of those 
of the Chipping Sparrow. They are three or four in 
number and are greenish blue with strong blackish 
specks (.85 x .65). 
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from 
Pennsylvania and [Illinois northward; winters through- 
out the United States. 
