517. Carpodacus purpureus 



PURPLE FINCH. 6 inches 



Male. Above crimson, streaked with brown, brightest on rump : 

 bill thick and rounded ; tail notched. Below crimson, shading to 

 gray on the belly. Female and young males. Above and below 

 brown, streaked like sparrows. 



May be recognized by a thick rounded bill and the fact of living 

 among high branches in contrast to sparrows nearer the ground. 

 Common in Massachusetts where a few winter. The migrants 

 arrive in March. 



Song. Joyful, rich warble from the tree top, also on the wing. 

 Nest. Preferably in coniferous trees. 

 Breeds. Throughout New England. 



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