FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



281 



It is said to make an admirable cage-bird, as it readily takes to 

 confinement, and during the springtime has a prolonged and melo- 

 dious song. 



Its form has a general resemblance to that of the common Robin, 

 but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking differ- 

 ences. It is rather slow and inactive when in a tree, and when on the 

 wing it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic ; at all times 

 its colors, as above described, should distinguish the bird at a very 

 considerable distance. Ernest E. "Thompson. 



517. Carpodacus piirpureus (Gmel). Purple Finch. Ad. 6. 



— Entire body suft'used witli rose-red, strongest on the head, rump, and breast, 

 more brownish on the back ; whiter, gen- 

 erally white, on the belly ; wings and tail 

 brownish fuscous, the outer webs of the 

 feathiirs linely edged with rose-red; a 

 small tuft of bristly feathers over the 

 nostrils ; outer tail - feathers longest. 

 Ad. 9 . — Very different, sparrowlike in 

 appearance ; upper parts dark grayish 

 brown, finely streaked with black ; wings 



and tail dark grayish brown ; under 

 parts white, streaked, or with wedge- 

 shaped spots of fuscous. L., 6'22 ; W., 

 8-24 ; T., 2-29 ; B., -45. 



Eemarks. — Females bear a decided 

 resemblance to some Sparrows, but the 

 rounded bill, tufts of feathers over the nostrils, and forked tail are distin- 

 guishing characters. 



Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from northern Minnesota and 

 Long Island northward ; winters from the northern States to the Gulf. 



Washington, common W. V., Sept. 15 to May 15, largely a migrant. Sing 

 Sing, rare P. R., common T. V. Cambridge, P. K., very common from Mch. to 

 Oct.; irregularf but sometimes abundant, in winter. 



Nest, of twigs, grasses, and rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in conif- 

 erous trees, five to tliirty feet up. Eggs.^ four to six, blue, spotted about the 

 larger end with fuscous, '79 x -56. 



During the nesting season the Purple Finch frequently takes up 

 its abode in private grounds, even becoming a familiar garden bird, 

 while others of its race find a congenial home in wild mountain forests, 

 far away from the society of man. The rosy plumage of the males 

 makes it attractively noticeable as a garden bird ; but a serious offense 

 must be charged against it — it has far too ready a taste for the blos- 

 soms of fruit trees, and is perhaps the most confirmed bud-eater of 

 all our birds. It has naturally a roving disposition, and, in the autumn 

 especially, seems ever to be impelled by some restless impulse. At this 



Fig. 79.— Purple Finch. (Natural 



size.) 



