HOUSE FINCH. 



519. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis. 6% inches. 



Male with red crown, throat and rump; female dull 

 grayish. 



These birds are also known as Bed-headed Linnets; 

 they are very common west of the Rockies but are only 

 locally distributed on the Plains to the eastward. They 

 are very tame and frequently make their dwellings 

 about houses, even on window sills and porches; as 

 they do no damage and are sweet singers they are en- 

 couraged to do so. They eat seeds, berries and some 

 insects. 



Song. Quite similar to that of the eastern Purple 

 Finch. 



Nest. Of twigs, roots, weeds, grass and trash of any 

 kind placed at any height in any kind of a tree, or on 

 eave troughs or porches of houses. In April and May 

 they lay four or five greenish blue eggs with a few 

 blackish specks, chiefly on the large end (.80x.55). 



Range. Western United States, east to the Plains. 



