20 BRIGHT FEATHERS, 
ciably in coloring from Autumnal specimens.”—Audleten N. O. C., Vol. 
LIT, pours: 
We occasionally, but very rarely, find record of an albinistic ten- 
dency in the species. Mr. Ruthven Deane records the following : “ Mr. 
George A. Boardman has in his fine collection, in which so many albino 
birds are represented, a fine pure white Purple Finch ; and through the 
kindness of Mr. H. Herrick of New York, I have in my collection 
a dull cream colored bird of this species which he shot at Umbagog 
Lake, Me., some years ago.” —/ézd., Vol. 1V.; p. 28. 
The plumage of both sexes of this Finch is generally close and com- 
pact, beautiful in its blendings, and colored with firmness and harmony. 
The neck is rather short, head somewhat large, and the body plump and 
symmetrical. The bill is conical, slightly convex above and pointed ; 
tail, forked; wings, of moderate length, third and fourth primaries 
longest. 
Audubon says his tongue is five-twelfths of an inch long, sagittate, 
papillate, channeled above, etc., etc., but what a tongue! As this 
musician balances himself at an aspiring height in the air, upon his 
passion laden wings, we may think and write of the poetry of sound, 
of the soothing cadences of ‘‘complaining brooks,” or the chiming har- 
monies of nature; but the only thought of the ear that listens to the 
matin roundelay of this bird, is, that they are sweet, so swee¢ and truth- 
ful; and of the heart they touch, that they are fw//, ruLL of love and 
purity. 
They fall upon the head of the toiler under the arch of heaven like 
a benison, and on the studious and reflective mind like a benedictive 
gift from the weaving and wonder-working fingers of Nature, and are 
fit peeans for the heralding of her prolific feet, 
