CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. 



1G9 



THE PtTKPLE FINCH. 



Mexico. Audubon often saw small floclcs of them in Louisiana, from April to November. In 

 May, it moves to the northern regions of the continent, though some linger by the way, and are 

 often seen in New England and Northern New York throughout the summer, building their nests 

 and carrying on their household affairs. This species has a habit of erecting the feathers of its 

 crown like a crest; hence it is sometimes called the Crested Piuyle Finch. It feeds on the buds 

 and berries of evergreens during winter and on insects in summer. 



The American House-Finch, Carjiodacus famiUaris of Cassin, is six inches long ; above brownish 

 red ; beneath white and brown ; resembles the preceding ; common in New Mexico ; abundant and 

 familiar in California, where it is called Buriones. Its song is exceedingly tender and melodious. 



Other species are the F. frontalis, six and a quarter inches long ; found in the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, and £J. tephrocotis, six inches long; found in the Northern Regions. 



Genus AMMODROMUS : Ammodromus. — This includes the Swamp-Finch or Red Grass- 

 Bird, A. palustris, five and a half inches long; bay above, beneath bluish-ash; it makes its nest 

 on the ground; feeds on grass-seeds and aquatic insects; found from Texas to Labrador. 



The f^EA-sinE FitJCii, A. inaritimus, is eight inches long; olive-brown above; gray beneath ; 

 feeds on marine Crustacea and sea-shore insects. Found in maritime parts of New England and 

 the Middle States. 



The Quail-Head, A. caudacutus, is five inches long ; olive above ; soiled white beneath ; the 

 head, when the bird is seen on the ground, resembles that of the quail ; it is found in salt marshes, 

 where it breeds, as also the preceding. 



The Western Swamp-Sparrow, or Brown-headed Finch, A. ruficejis, k six inches long; 

 chestnut-brown above, beneath pale-ashy; found in California. 



Other species are A. Macgillivrayi, five and a half inches long; found in Texas : A. Bachmani, 

 six inches long; found in the Carolinas : and A. Lecontii, five inches long; found in Missouri: 

 A. Lincolnii, five and three-quarters inches long, found from New York to Labrador. 



Vol. IL— 2 2 



