PURPLE FINCH. ^3 



manners to partake considerably of the nature of the genus 

 sylvia. It is late in departing, and I have frequently heard 

 its notes among the fading leaves of the poplar in October. 



This little bird may be distinguished from all the rest of our 

 songsters by the soft, tender, easy flow of its notes while hid 

 among the foliage. In these there is nothing harsh, sudden, 

 or emphatical ; they glide along in a kind of meandering 

 strain, that is peculiarly its own. In May and June it may 

 be generally heard in the orchards, the borders of the city, 

 and around the farmhouse. 



This species is five inches and a half long, and eight inches 

 and a half in extent ; bill, dull lead colour above, and notched 

 near the point, lower, a pale flesh colour ; eye, dark hazel ; 

 line over the eye, and whole lower parts, white, the latter 

 tinged with very pale greenish yellow near the breast ; upper 

 parts, a pale green olive ; wings, brown, broadly edged with 

 pale olive green ; tail, slightly forked, edged with olive ; the 

 legs and feet, pale lead ; the head inclines a little to ash ; no 

 white on the wings or tail. Male and female nearly alike. 



PURPLE FINCH. {Fringilla purpurea.) 



PLATE XLIL— Fig. 3. 



ER YTHBOSPIZA P URP UREA. - Bonaparte. * 



This bird is represented as he appears previous to receiving 

 his crimson plumage, and also when moulting. By recurring 

 to the figure in Vol. I. pi. 7, fig. 4, of this work, which exhibits 

 him in his full dress, the great difference of colour will be 

 observed to which this species is annually subject. 



It is matter of doubt with me whether this species ought 

 not to be classed with the Loxia; the great thickness of the 

 bill, and similarity that prevails between this and the pine 

 grosbeak, almost induced me to adopt it into that class. But 



* See description of adult male. Note and Synonyms, Vol. I. p. 119. 



