13 
PELE ROTO FINCH, 
his graceful movements, and listened to his low plaint, comfort and 
peace returned to my heart; and, as my Mother advanced into the 
room and enjoyed with me this natural beauty, I felt how sweet it was 
to be forgiven. This bird, her pardon, the homeless Frenchman, and 
sometimes the Calvary scene itself, have seemed to me synonymous; 
and, like well forged links in the petty changing chain of my youthful 
years, have bound the vision securely in the innermost chambers of my 
heart. 
We may search far and wide for a created thing combining more 
sweetness of voice, beauty of form and feather, profuseness of love and 
gallantry and general good behavior and kindly disposition, than the 
male of the species under consideration. I have carefully noted him in 
early spring as he made his vows and promises to his homely clad but 
yielding and confiding mate. 
For several successive seasons, a pair of these birds have had a fa- 
vorite trysting place upon the well shingled roof of a neighbor's dwell- 
ing. When this little couple meet, the lordly one assumes all the con- 
sequence and importance of a turkey cock. His amply emarginate tail 
is fully spread, and his sheltering wings droop low and quiver with muf- 
fled vibrations upon the shingles, as he approaches near or retreats from 
his companion. During these ceremonious advances, he never once 
lowers his crimson crest or ceases to utter his coaxing notes of love. 
Why he should have been christened with the ‘ Purple” surpasses 
my comprehension. Mayhap some sprite upon whom the office fell, had, 
after indulging too freely in the nectar of a purple bowl, become color 
blind and knighted him with the tint of his favorite chalice ; and, hav- 
ing no knowledge of color save as a name, bestowed upon this bird the 
