FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



28 1 



Tt is saiil to make an admirably cage-bird, as it readily takes to 

 confinement, and during the springtime has u prolonged and melo- 

 dious song. 



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

 but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking diiTer- 

 enccs. It is rather slow and iiuictive when in a tree, and when on the 

 wing it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic ; at all times 

 its colors, as above described, should distinguish the bird at a very 

 considerable distance. Ernkst E. Thompson. 



617. Carpodacus purpureiu (Gmel.). Piuple Finch. Ad. s. 



— Entire body .sutfusud witli rosu-red, strongest on the head, rump, and bruust, 

 more Ijrowni.sli on the buck ; wliittT, gen- 

 erally white, on the l>eny ; wings and tail 

 brownisli fuscous, the outer webs of the 

 feathers tinely edged with rose-red; a 

 small tuft of bristly feiitlicrs over the 

 nostrils; outer tail - feiitliers longest. 

 Ad. 9 . — Very dillVrent, sparniwlike in 

 appearance ; ujrper parts dark grayish 

 brown, linely streaked with black ; wings 

 and tail dark grayish brown ; under 

 parts white, streaked, or with wedge- 

 shaped spots of fuscous. L., (j'22; VV., 

 3"i4 ; T., 2-29 ; B., -4'). 



liemarkx. — Fenudes bear a decided 

 resemblance to some Sjjurrows, but the 

 rounded bill, tufts of feathers over the nostrils, and forked tail are distin- 

 guishing characters. 



Jiani/e. — Eastern North .\merica; breeds from northern Minni'sota and 

 Long Island northward; winters from tiie northern States to tiie Oulf. 



Washington, connnon W. \'., Sept. 15 to May 15, largely a migrant. Sing 

 Sing, rare P. R., common T. V. Cambridge, P. K., very common from Mch. to 

 Oct.; irregular, but sometimes abundant, in winter. 



Ae.tt. of twigs, grasses, and rootlets, thickly lined with long hairs, in cfniif- 

 orous trees, five to thirty feet up. 7v/f/«, four to 8i.\, blue, spotted about the 

 larger end with fuscous, "TH x -5(5. 



During the nesting season the Purple Fiiich freqnently takes np 

 its abode in private grounds, even becoming a familiar garden bird, 

 while others of its race find a congenial home in wild mountain forests, 

 far away from the society of man. The rosy plumage of the males 

 makes it attractively noticeable as a garden bird ; but a serious offense 

 must be charged against it — it has far too ready a taste for the blos- 

 soms of fruit trees, and is perhaps the most confirmed bud-eater of 

 all our birds. It has naturally a roving disposition, and, in the autumn 

 especially, seems ever to be impelled by some restless impulse. At this 



Fio. 79.— Purple Finch. 



ab;e.) 



(Natural 



