FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 377 



Washington, casual in winter. Ossining, irregular W. V., Dec. 18-Apl. 

 12. Cambridge, irregular W. V., frequently common, sometimes abundant, 

 Nov. 1-Mch. 25. N. Ohio, occasional W. V. Glen Ellyn, uncommon and 

 irregular W. V., Oct. 25-? SE. Minn., uncommon W. V. 



Nest, of twigs and rootlets lined with finer materials, in coniferous trees a 

 few feet up. Eggs, "pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with dark 

 brown surface markings and lilac shell-spots, 1'05 x '74. " Date, Bangor, 

 Maine, June 5. 



The Pine Grosbeak, like the Spruce Partridge and Canada Jay, may 

 be said to find its true home in the coniferous forest or Canadian belt, 

 which crosses the continent diagonally from Maine to Alaska. 



Like many of its congeners in this inhospitable region, it nests so 

 early in the springtime that the winter's frost and snow are still domi- 

 nant among the evergreens when the eggs come to claim the attention 

 of the pair. 



Its habits at this season are but little known; but in midwinter, when 

 it comes southward in search of food, it is a well-known frequenter, in 

 flocks, of plantations of mountain-ash trees, or groups of sumach bushes, 

 whose unfallen berries provide it with a bountiful supply of nourishing 

 diet. 



Its form has a general resemblance to that of the common Robin, 

 but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking differences. 

 It is rather slow and inactive when in a tree, and when on the wing 

 it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic and during the spring- 

 time has a prolonged and melodious song. At all times its colors, as 

 above described, should distinguish the bird at a very considerable 

 distance. ERNEST THOMPSON SETON. 



1895. BREWSTER, WM., Auk, XII, 245-256 (remarkable flight of). 



517. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus (GmeL). PURPLE FINCH. 

 Ad. <?. Body streaked, suffused with rose-red, strongest on the head, rump, 

 and breast, more brownish on the back; whiter, generally white, on the belly; 

 wings and tail brownish fuscous, the outer webs of the feathers finely edged 

 with rose-red; a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; outer tail- 

 feathers longest. This plumage is acquired at the first postnuptial molt. 

 Ad. 9. Very different, sparrowlike in appearance; upperparts dark grayish 

 brown, finely streaked with black; wings and tail dark grayish brown; under- 

 parts white, streaked, or with wedge- 

 shaped spots of fuscous. A whitish super- 

 ciliary line. Im. d". Similar to adult 

 female. L., 6'22; W., 3'24; T., 2'29; 

 B., '45. 



Remarks. Females and young males 

 bear a decided resemblance to some Spar- 

 rows, but the rounded bill, tufts of feathers 

 over the nostrils, and forked tail are dis- 

 tinguishing characters. 



Range. E. N. Am. Breeds in Cana- 

 dian and Transition zones from cen. B. 

 C., ne. Alberta, n. Ont. (Moose Factory), 

 cen. Que. (Gaspe Basin), and N. F. to s. 

 Alberta, N. D. (Turtle Mts.), cen. Minn., 



n. Ills., Pa. (mts.), n. N. J., and L. I.; FIG. 100. Purple Finch 



winters from considerably n. of the south- (Natural size.) 



