170 



Genus XL— ERYTHROSPIZA, Bonap. PURPLE-FINCH. 



Bill rather short, robust, bulging, conical, pointed; upper mandible a little 

 broader, with the nasal sinus very short and broad, the dorsal line a little 

 convex, the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges a little inflected, 

 ascending at the base, afterwards direct, the notches faint, the tip slightly- 

 deflected, rather acute; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, 

 the dorsal line ascending, straight, the back and sides rounded, the edges 

 involute, the tip acute. Nostrils roundish, partially concealed by the short 

 reflexed bristly feathers. Head large, roundish-ovate; neck short, body 

 moderate. Tarsus short, slender, compressed, with seven seutella; toes 

 rather small, first stout, lateral nearly equal. Claws slender, much com- 

 pressed, well arched, acute. Plumage soft and rather blended; feathers of 

 the hind head somewhat elongated and pointed. Wings of moderate length, 

 rather pointed, the outer four quills longest. Tail of moderate length, 

 deeply emarginate. Upper mandible concave beneath, with two prominent 

 lines, of which the lateral are much larger; tongue higher than broad, chan- 

 nelled above, the tip somewhat rounded and concave; oesophagus dilated 

 about the middle; stomach roundish, muscular; intestine short; cceca very 

 small. 



THE PURPLE FINCH. 



Erythrospiza purpurea, Gmel. 



PLATE CXCVL— Male and Female. 



From the beginning of November until April, flocks of the Purple Finch, 

 consisting of from six to twenty individuals, are seen throughout the whole 

 of Louisiana and the adjoining States. They fly compactly, with an undu- 

 lating motion, similar to that of the Common Greenfinch of Europe. They 



