112 
The Purple Finch 
The moral of this is that even a hardy Finch, when caged, becomes 
abnormal, and should be granted the same liberty as is the due of the 
Cardinal, the Mocking-bird, and all the rest. Wilson says that the pair 
he caged were reconciled to confinement in a day or two. This I am never 
prepared to believe about any bird born wild and captured after maturity 
Cowed or caged into submission they may be, but reconciled , never ! 
The home of this Finch is much like that of the Chipping Sparrow, 
but is bigger. It may be placed in an orchard tree, but more usually 
brown, and so resemble those of the Chippy, but are noticeably larger. 
Eugene P. Bicknell has written : “During the nesting season the 
Purple Finch frequently takes up its abode in private grounds, even be- 
coming a familiar garden-bird, while others of its race find a congenial 
home in wild mountain forests, far away from the society of man. The 
rosy plumage of the males make it attractively noticeable as a garden 
bird; but a serious offense must be charged against it — it has far too 
ready a taste for the blossoms of fruit-trees, and is, perhaps, the most 
confirmed bud-eater of all of our birds. It has naturally a roving dis- 
position, and, in the autumn especially, seems ever to be impelled by 
some restless impulse. At this season it may often be seen descending 
with airy, sweeping flight into some leafless tree-top, as if from a far 
aerial journey, its identity made known by its very characteristic utter- 
ance, a short, rather dull-sounding note, scarcely metallic — the metal 
pressed the instant the bell is struck.” 
Edward H. Forbush, State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, concedes 
that the Purple Finch does destroy some buds and blossoms, but asserts 
that the pruning or cutting of buds, blossoms, and seeds of trees is not, 
also destroys many orchard and woodland caterpillars. It is particularly 
destructive to plant-lice and canker-worms. Its quest of weed-seeds is 
sometimes rewarded by some insects which it finds on the ground, among 
them ground-beetles and perhaps a few cutworms.” 
The Purple Finch belongs to the Order Passeres , Suborder Oscines, and Family 
Fringillvdae. The scientific name is Carpodacus purpureus. Its range is eastern 
North America, breeding from British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland to 
North Dakota, northern New Jersey and Long Island, and wintering from the 
southern portion of its breeding-range to Texas and Florida. 
The subspecies, California Purple Finch, C. p. calif ornicus, ranges from British 
Columbia to southern Californa and Arizona. 
rests on the branch of an evergreen ; and is composed 
of fine weed-stalks and grasses, and lined with horse- 
hair. The eggs are greenish blue spotted with dark 
Feeding 
Habits 
ordinarily, excessive. “On the other hand, this bird 
eats many of the seeds of the most destructive 
weeds, ragweed being a favorite. The Purple Finch 
Classification and Distribution 
This and other Educational Leaflets are for sale, at 5 cents each, by the National Association of 
Aububon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Lists given on request. 
