226 BIRDS OP ILLINOIS. 



crimson color of the adult males, heightened by contrast with the 

 snow, was a great surprise to the writer, then a boy of thirteen, 

 and excited intense interest in this, to him, new bird. On subse- 

 quent occasions during the same winter, they were found under like 

 circumstances, and also in "sycamore" or buttonwood trees, feeding 

 on the small seeds contained within the "balls" of this tree. 



The Purple Finch may possibly breed in the extreme northern 

 portion of the State, but has not yet been recorded, so far as the 

 writer is aware, as doing so. 



From History of North American Birds (Vol. I., pp. 463, 464) we 

 quote the following paragraphs, by Dr. T. M. Brewer, pertaining to 

 the breeding habits of this species: 



"The Purple Finch, or, as it is generally known in New England, 

 the Linnet, is one of our sweetest, best, and most constant song- 

 sters, and is often trapped and sold as a cage bird. They soon 

 become accustomed and partially reconciled to their confinement, 

 but sing only during a small part of the year. When one of these 

 birds, confined in a cage, is hung outside the house, in the country, 

 he is sure to draw around him quite a number of his species, and 

 this furnishes the dealer a ready means of capturing them. 



"The song of the Purple Finch resembles that of the Canary, and 

 though less varied and powerful, is softer, sweeter, and more touch- 

 ing and pleasing. The notes of this species may be heard from 

 the last of May until late in September, and in the long summer 

 evening are often continued until it is quite dark. Their song has 

 all the beauty and pathos of the Warbling Vireo, and greatly 

 resembles it, but is more powerful and full in tone. It is a very 

 interesting sight to watch one of these little performers in the 

 midst of his song. He appears perfectly absorbed in his work, 

 his form is dilated, his crest is erected, his throat expands, and he 

 seems to be utterly unconscious of all around him. But let an 

 intruder of his own race appear within a few feet of the singer, and 

 the song instantly ceases, and in a violent fit of indignation he 

 chases him away." 



GENUS LOXIA LINN^US. 



Loxia LINNJEUS, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758. 171. Type. Loxia curvirostra LINN. 



"GEN. CHAR. Mandibles much elongated, compressed and attenuated; greatly 

 curved or falcate, the points crossing or overlapping to a greater or less degree. Tarsi 

 very short; claws all very long, the lateral extending beyond the middle of the central; 

 hind claw longer than its digit. Wings very long and pointed, reaching beyond the 

 middle of the narrow, forked tail. Colors reddish in the male. 



