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Genus — Carpodacus. Purple Finches. 



517. Purple Finch, hemjng. fr. — lb pinson pourpre. Carpodacus purpureus. 

 L, 6-22. Plate XXIX A. 



Distinctions. Size and general coloration of male are distinctive. Female is streaked 

 in olive-browns, but the general evenness of the olive cast to the coloration, and abundance 

 of streaks below are quite characteristic. The bill is rather larger for the size of the bird 

 than in other species except the Grosbeaks. 



Field Marks. Size, general coloration, sometimes resembling a small Pine Grosbeak, 

 and striking song are the best field marks. 



Nesting. In coniferous trees; in nest of twigs, grass, and rootlets. 



Distribution. As a species it occupies all America from Mexico to Canada. 

 In eastern Canada it extends north to the extreme limit of regular settlement. Along 

 the southern borders it is a regular winter visitor breeding less commonly than farther 

 north. 



SUBSPECIES. The Purple Finch is represented by two subspecies; the eastern 

 Canadian form, Eastern Purple Finch, is the type of the species. 



The Purple Finch, though so-called, is not purple; " magenta " would 

 better describe its coloration. It is one of our finest songsters and is 

 occasionally caged for that purpose. Like its allies, the Pine Grosbeak 

 and the Crossbills, when kept in captivity it loses the bright redness of 

 its plumage and assumes a ruddy yellow, so peculiar and characteristic 

 that escaped caged birds can be recognized at sight. The song is a con- 

 tinued and clear warble like that of a glorified Warbling Vireo, but more 

 rapidly delivered. The young male in the autumn sings almost as well 

 as the adult. 



Economic Status. The Purple Finch eats largely buds and fruit. 

 The fruit eaten in eastern Canada is trifling, as the species is not numerous 

 in summer in fruit-growing sections. The bird retires from the southern 

 borders to less cultivated sections in the breeding season. The fruits 

 it takes are mostly waste winter left-overs and wild forms as it is specially 

 fond of mountain ash or rowan-berries. The charge that it eats buds 

 is more serious, but so far has been based upon general assertions not 

 substantiated in the east by results of stomach examinations. It is 

 possible that at times the Purple Finch can do considerable local harm 

 picking off the fruit buds of the coming year. That it does so to an extent 

 to cause uneasiness to the fruit grower has yet to be proved. 



Genus — Passer. European House Sparrow. 



House Sparrow. English sparrow, fr. — le moineau domestique. Passer hos- 

 tilis. L, 6-50. Plate XXIX B. 



Distinctions. Black bib of the male is distinctive. Females have a slight olive 

 suggestion and might be confused with the female Purple Finch were it not that they 

 are unstreaked below. The female or autumn plumages of the Bobolink are somewhat 

 suggestive of this plumage, but the pronounced streakiness above and the general yellow- 

 ness are quite distinctive of the Bobolink. With a little observation of the species in 

 our streets or barnyards, no one need ever confuse this species with anything else. 



Field Marks. The characteristic notes and chirrups of the House Sparrow make the 

 best recognition mark in the field. 



Distribution. Originally distributed over all Europe and most of Asia. Now found 

 throughout North America to the limits of settlements. 



28587—12* 



