286 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



on the coast of Labrador. Mr. Trippe met with the Pine Bulfinch in 

 Colorado, living up near timber line, and observed young birds fully 

 fledged in June. Mr. Mcllwraith thinks that it is highly probable 

 that this species may yet be found breeding in Ontario. 



The bird, according to Dr. Coues, inhabits chiefly coniferous woods 

 in flocks when not breeding, feeding upon the fruit of such trees. "A 

 fine musician, of amiable disposition and gentle manners, often caged. 

 Nest composed of a basement of twigs and rootlets, within which is a 

 more compact fabric of finer materials ; eggs usually four, pale greenish- 

 blue, spotted and blotched with dark brown surface markings and lilac 

 shell-spots ; 1.05 x .74." 



517 Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.) [168.] 



Purple Fincb. 



Hab. Eastern North America. Breeds from northern United States northward. 



Called Purple Grosbeak, Crimson Finch or lyinnet. It is found 

 breeding regularly in the northern tier of States — Dakota, Minnesota, 

 Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., northward, and is said to have been found 

 nesting in northern Illinois. An abundant bird in New England, 

 where its sweet song, bright colors and sociable disposition have made 

 it a favorite bird. It nests in May and June. The Rev. J. H. Langille 

 states that he has found it nowhere so abundant as in Nova Scotia. 



The nest is usually placed in evergreens or orchard trees, at a 

 moderate distance from the ground. It is composed of weed-stalks, 

 bark-strips, rootlets, grasses, all kinds of vegetable fibres, and lined 

 with hairs. The nests and eggs remind one of the Chipping Spar- 

 row's on a large scale. 



The eggs are of a dull green, spotted with very dark brown, 

 chiefly about the greater end; four or five in number, and measure 

 .85X.65. 



517«. Carpodacus purpureus californicus Baird. [ i68a.] 



California Purple Finch. 



Hab. Pacific coast of the United States, from British Columbia south to Southern California. 



The California Purple Finch is a common bird throughout its 

 range. Mr. William A. Cooper notes it as abundant around Santa 

 Cruz, California. He states that it is a most destructive bird, visiting 

 orchards and destroying young buds, blossoms, and fruit. It retires to 

 the wooded river bottoms and hills to breed ; the favorite situations for 

 the nest are the tops of tall willows, alders, trees covered with climb- 

 ing ivy, and horizontal branches of redwoods. The nests are usually 

 placed at a considerable distance from the ground; one was found 

 placed in the horizontal branches of an apple tree ; the composition 

 of the nests consist of stems and vegetable fibres for the frame-work, 



