The Cassin Purple Finch 



the M. C. O. collection, however, is one which is lined with black horse- 

 hair picked out with bits of white cotton, and ornamented as to the brim 

 with a few sprays of the brilliant yellow-green lichen (Evernia vulpina). 

 A word, perhaps, ought to be said for the nest and the bird which 

 furnished the subject of our accompanying photogravure. I regret to say 



Taken in Mono County 



Photo by the A ulhor 



TWIN LAKES (Alt. 8500 feet) AND MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN (Alt. 11034 feet) 



A TYPICAL HAUNT OF THE CASSIN PURPLE FINCH 



that so far as the lady is concerned it must be a somewhat disenchanting 

 word. The nest was sighted near the top of a small Murray pine (Pinus 

 contorta), say, 30 feet up and 4 feet out. Bird-nesting was our first busi- 

 ness that year (1921), but I decreed a temporary stay of judgment in this 

 case for photographic purposes. Arrived upon the scene and with legs 

 firmly disposed about the main trunk, I not only found the female bird on 

 but the male standing by, waiting, as the event proved, for a chance to 

 feed his mate. I hauled up the camera by means of a small rope; but the 

 light was not right, so I had to forfeit some magnificent poses. I sat 

 within four feet while the male fed his mate, full tenderly, by regurgita- 

 tion. I was much instructed to note what a lengthy and tedious process 

 this was. While the female held her bill open, the male thrust food down 

 her throat by means of no less than 15 or 18 distinct convulsive efforts, 



205 



