at an altitude of about 1800 feet above the level of the mesa, or at the lower limit to 

 the breeding range of Cassin's Purple Finch, a single nest of which was found on a tree 

 adjoining one in which was a nest of the present bird. In Parley's Park it was Hkewise 

 found," but in small numbers, and only on the floor of the park, thfe Cassin's Purple 

 Finch inhabiting the upper portion of the streams." 



In order to give my readers a ftiU account of this valuable and familiar bird of the 

 West, I cite the following from Colonel McCall's biographical sketch of the House 

 Linnet : 



"I found this charming little Finch abundant at Santa Fe, N. M., where it com- 

 menced nesting in March, although the weather was still wintry and so continued, 

 w^ith frequent snow-storms, for more than a month. Notwithstanding this, the song of 

 the male failed not to cheer his mate, during incubation, w^ith the liveliest melody. The 

 notes often reminded me of the soft trill of the House Wren, and often of the clear 

 warble of the Canary. The males of the last year, though mated and apparently 

 equally happy and quite as assiduous as their seniors, were not yet in full plumage, 

 having little or nothing of the red colors that mark the adult birds. 



"The nests w^hich were stuck into every cranny about the eaves and porticos of 

 the houses throughout the town, were variously composed of dry grass, fine roots, 

 horse-hair, long pieces of cotton-twine, or strips of old calico ; in fine, of countless odds 

 and ends, that were picked up about the yards; — these were curiously and firmly inter- 

 woven, so as to make a warm and comfortable abode for the new^-comers. 



"His disposition toward other birds appeared to be mild and peacetul, and I had 

 many opportunities to observe. I will mention one instance. In the piazza of the house 

 I occupied, quite a colony of these birds had their nests ; here the work of building and 

 incubation had gone on prosperously for several weeks, although the weather at times 

 was stormy and cold, and ere the genial warmth of spring was fairly felt, the colony 

 might have been said to be fully established. As the season advanced and birds of a 

 less hardy nature began to arrive from the South, a pair of Barn Swallows made their 

 appearance, and forthwith entered the territory of the Finches. And here they at once, 

 very unceremoniously, began to eredt their domicil. This act of aggression would have 

 been fiercely resented by most birds, and violent measures would have been resorted to, 

 to ejedl the intruders. The conduct of the little Finches was quite different; at first 

 they stood aloof, and seemed to regard the strangers with suspicion and distrust, rather 

 than enmity. In the meantime the Swallows went quietly to work, without showing 

 any inclination to intermeddle; and in a day or two (their mud-walls all the time 

 rapidly advancing) they gained the confidence of their neighbors, and finally completed 

 their work unmolested. Indeed, a perfedt harmony was established between the parties, 

 which I never saw interrupted by a single quarrel during the time they remained my 



tenants." 



Mrs. Sophia Zimmermann, then at San Miguel, San Luis Obispo County, Cal., 

 kindly sent me the following account : 



"The House Finch is one of the commonest songbirds of this locality. The winter- 

 storms, accompanied by heavy rains, are still in full force. The oaks {Quercus corbata), 

 cotton-wood trees, and the sycamores are still leafless. In the fields and on the hill- 



