BIRDS OF NEW YORK 263 



western New York. On the lowlands of western New York and in the 

 Hudson valley it is rather uncommon or erratic as a breeding species. 

 In all sections of the State, however, it is common as a transient visitant, 

 appearing from March 15 to April 10, migrating birds being common 

 t;ntil the 10th to the 20th of May, and disappearing in the fall between 

 the 5th and the 20th of November. It also remains throughout the winter 

 in all the southern portions of the State, some years being fairly common 

 throughout the coldest weather, especially in the vicinity of New York 

 City and in the lower Hudson valley. It is not a winter resident of the 

 Adirondacks, however, but in western New York a few may always be 

 seen throughout the winter. It is rather erratic in habits like its relatives, 

 the crossbills and Pine grosbeak, some years appearing very early in the 

 spring and at other times not making itself heard till the middle of April; 

 but a definite yearly migration is perfectly evident in nearly all sections of 

 the State as indicated by the dates given above. I found it one of the 

 common breeding species throughout the spruce and balsam belt of the 

 Adirondacks, and in western New York near Springville it was also a 

 common breeder in the years between 1876 and 1885. Every spruce tree 

 in the town of Concord from 10 to 20 feet in height could be counted upon 

 for having a Purple finch's nest near its top. My friend, Mr William B. 

 Burke, also noticed it as a common species in the Catskills during the spring 

 of 1905. Thus we can regard the Purple finch as one of our characteristic 

 summer residents in the greater portion of the State, and a permanent, 

 resident in the southern districts although rare in the summer and uncommon 

 throughout the winter months. The haunts of the Purple finch are the 

 evergreen forests, not the denser portions, but rather the open woods and 

 swamps where numerous pointed firs and cedars may be seen scattered 

 about. Here he fills the neighborhood with his gushing music throughout 

 the latter part of April, May, and early June. It is one of the conspicuous 

 birds of these localities. His song is delivered from the top of a spruce 

 or balsam and consists of a rapid, easily flowing, melodious warble, 

 resembling somewhat that of the Warbling vireo but more variant ia 



