Conspicuously Red of any Shade 



action of a flock seems to be concerted, as if some rigid discipli- 

 narian had drilled them, and yet no leader can be distinguished 

 in the merry company. When one flies, all fly; where one feeds, 

 all feed, and by some subtle telepathy all rise at the identical in- 

 stant from their feeding ground and cheerfully twitter in concert 

 where they all alight at once. They are more easily disturbed 

 than the goldfinches, that are often seen feeding with them in the 

 lowlands ; nevertheless, they quite often venture into our gardens 

 and orchards, even in suburbs penetrated by the trolley-car. 



Usually in winter we hear only their lisping call-note ; but if 

 the birds linger late enough in the spring, when their "fancy 

 lightly turns to thoughts of love," a gleeful, canary-like song 

 comes from the naked branches, and we may know by it that 

 the flock will soon disappear for their nesting grounds in the 

 northern forests. 



The Greater Redpoll (AcantHs linaria rostrata) may be dis- 

 tinguished from the foregoing species by its slightly larger size, 

 darker upper parts, and shorter, stouter bill. But the notes, 

 habits, and general appearance of both redpolls are so nearly 

 identical that the birds are usually mistaken for each other. 



Purple Finch 



(Carpodacus purpureus) Finch family 



Called also: PURPLE LINNET 



Length — 6 to 6.25 inches. About the same size as the English 

 sparrow. 



Male — Until two years old, sparrow-like in appearance like the 

 female, but with olive-yellow on chin and lower back. 

 Afterwards entire body suffused with a bright raspberry-red, 

 deepest on head, lower back, and breast, and other parts 

 only faintly washed with this color. More brown on back ; 

 and wings and tail, which are dusky, have some reddish- 

 brown feathers. Underneath grayish white. Bill heavy. 

 Tail forked. 



Female — Grayish olive -brown above; whitish below; finely 

 streaked everywhere with very dark brown, like a sparrow. 

 Sides of breast have arrow-shaped marks. Wings and tail 

 darkest. 



Range — North America, from Columbia River eastward to Atlan- 



223 



