110 CARPODACUS PURPUREUS. 



I ever saw. Not only will they endeavor to defend one of their own number when it is 

 injured but will even heed the cry of distress of other species. I once saw this trait ex- 

 hibited in a very striking manner. I was collecting at Miami and had shot a Maryland 

 Yellow-throat which fell to the ground badly wounded, but chirping loudly. This sound 

 attracted the attention of a female Cardinal that was in the same thicket. She instantly 

 came to the spot and alighted over the Warbler which was then lying panting on the ground. 

 After examining it anxiously for a moment she dropped down, hopped up to it, and, gently 

 taking it by one wing, endeavored to raise it. The little sufferer was by this time nearly 

 dead and consequently unable to stand, readily comprehending that her efforts were quite 

 useless and perceiving my approach the Cardinal slowly retreated manifesting by every 

 movement as well as note the deepest pity for the unfortunate bird. Nor are the Red Birds 

 lacking in courage, for they will defend themselves even when badly wounded, biting very 

 fiercely with their strong beaks. As their virtues are many and their vices very few, the 

 Cardinals well merit the approbation which is tendered them everywhere. 



GENUS XII. CARPODACUS. THE PURPLE FINCHES. 



GEN. CH. Bill, thick, somewhat swollen at base. Upper mandible, curved. Winys, much longer than the tail which is 

 decidedly forked . Sternum, stout, with the coracoids considerably shorter than the top of the keel which is equal in height to 

 one half the length of the coracoids. Head, sub-crested. Size, medium. 



The males are brightly colored but the females are duller. The adult males are streaked above, the females and young 

 above and below. No prominent white markings on the tail. 



CARPODACUS PURPUREUS. 

 Purple Finch. 



Carpodacus purpurea, GRAY'S Genera; 1848-49. 

 Carpodacus California, B.URD, Birds N. A.; 1858, 413. 

 Carpodacus Cassinii, KURD, Birds N. A.; 1858, 414. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, robust. Size, not large. Tongue, very short and fleshy, triangular in form, rounded at the extrem- 

 ity which is fringed with fine cilia. Sternum as given above. There is a rounded sub-crest of pointed feathers. 



COLOR. Adult male. Dull rrimson-lake, brightest on the head, palest on the rump, streaked on the back, sides, and 

 flanks with dusky. Abdomen and under tail coverts, white, with the latter tinged with crimson-lake. Wings and tail, 

 brown, with the outer edges of all the feathers pale-crimson. There are two wing bars of the same color. Lores aud ring 

 around eye, gray. Under wing coverts, white, tinged with crimson. Bill, brown. Feet, dark brown. 



Adult female. Olivaceous-brown above, streaked with dusky. The wing bars are whitish. There are indications of 

 a whitish superciliary line. Beneath, white, streaked and spotted everywhere, excepting on the abdomen and under tail 

 coverts, with olivaceous-brown. Other portions similar to those of the male. 



Young. Similar to the adult female, but with a greenish overwashing above and with yellowish-rufous edgings to the 

 markings below. The superciliary line is clearer and the bill is darker. 



Nestlings. Are overwashed with yellowish-rufous above and below, even the under tail coverts are tinged with it. 

 The streakings are finer and the colors are more suffused. There are no indications of the white superciliary line. The 

 feet and bill are of a darker brown. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Specimens vary greatly in shade of color. Spring birds are somewhat brighter than winter specimens, but this is main- 

 ly due to the wearing away of the paler edges of the feathers. The white of the abdomen is also more extended on some 

 than on others. When kept in confinement this species assumes a cage plumage of a dull yellow, but Mr. Brewster shot a 

 specimen, colored in this manner, which was in company with several that were in normal plumage, and two skins of males, 

 now before me, which are in full spring dress, have scattering feathers of a yellow color on the throat. A skin which I 

 took at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is quite yellow on the back. 



Known from the closefy allied frontalis by the duller colors, which are comparatively uniform above, and the more 



