150 PURPLE FINCH. 
forest tree, he utters a low, wild, questioning whistle. 
With crown-feathers slightly erect he seems alert and 
restless, and before we can fairly see him i is off again to 
parts unknown. 
Purple Finches, in small companies, may often be 
seen feeding near the ground with Goldfinches, but if 
alarmed they soon return to the tree tops. The old males 
may be known by their pinkish red color, which is bright- 
est on the head and breast, and fades to brownish on the 
lower back and tail and white on the belly. The young 
males and females are Sparrowlike in appearance, the 
upper parts being dark grayish brown, the under parts — 
white, streaked with dusky. A whitiel line passing over - 
the eye is a characteristic mark. 
During the winter Purple Finches are irregularly dis- 
tributed throughout most of the Eastern States, but in 
summer they are not found south of northern New Jer- 
sey. They now become more social and may nest in our 
gardens. Generally a coniferous tree is selected, and the 
nest of twigs, grasses, and rootlets is placed at a height of 
about twenty feet. The eggs, four to six in number, are 
blue, spotted with dusky about the larger end. 
Count yourself fortunate if a Purple Finch makes his 
home near yours. He may appropriate a few buds and 
blossoms, but he will repay you with music and leave you 
his debtor. His song is a sweet, flowing warble ; music 
as natural as the rippling of a mountain brook. 
Some morning early in May you may meet the Rose- 
breasted Grosbeak, just returned from a winter’s sojourn 
in South America. Perhaps his fame 
Rose-breasted F ‘ . 
Grosbeak, will have preceded him, when you will 
Zamelodia in a measure be prepared for his charms 
ludoviciana. of song and plumage, and so miss the 
ee keener pleasure of surprise; but to me 
he appeared as a revelation, and after fifteen years I still 
