202 I'URPLE PINCH. 



forest tree, he utters a low, wild, questioning whistle. 

 With crown-feathers slightly erect he seems alert and 

 restless, and before we can fairly see him is off again to 

 parts unknown. 



Purple Finches, in small companies, may often he 

 seen feeding near the ground with Goldfinches, hut if 

 alarmed the}^ soon return to the tree tops. Tlie old males 

 may be known l)y their pinkish red colo!', which is Ijright- 

 est on the head and breast, and fades to l)rownish on the 

 lower back and tail and white on the belly. The young 

 males and females are Sparrowlike in appearance, the 

 upper parts being dark grayish brown, the under parts 

 white, streaked with dusky. A whitish line passing over 

 the eye is a characteristic mark. 



During the winter Pui-ple Finches are irregularly dis- 

 tributed throughout most of the Eastern States, but in 

 summer they are not found south of northern Kew Jer- 

 sey. They now become more social and may nest in our 

 gardens. Generally a coniferous tree is selected, and the 

 nest of twigs, grasses, and rootlets is placed at a height of 

 about twenty feet. The eggs, four to six in number, are 

 blue, spotted with dusky about the larger end. 



Count yourself fortunate if a Purple Finch makes his 

 home near yours. lie may appropriate a few buds and 

 Ijlossonis, but he will repay you with music and leave you 

 his debtor. His song is a sweet, flowing warble ; music 

 as natural as the rippbng of a mountain brook. 



Some morning early in IMay you may meet the Eose- 

 breasted Grosbeak, just retui'ned from a \vinter's sojourn 



in South America. Perhaps his fame 



Eose-breasted .,, , i i i • i -n 



Grosbeak '^^''' '"^'^^ preceded hnn, when you will 



Zameiodia in a measure be prepared for his charms 



iii,iorir!nna. ^f gonff and plumage, and so miss the 



keener pleasure of surprise ; but to me 



he appeared as a revelation, and after tifteeu years I still 



