FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 
377 
Washington, casual in winter. Ossining, irregular W. V., Dec. 18-Apl. 
12. Cambridge, irregular W. V., frequently common, sometimes abundant, 
Nov. 1-Mch. 25. N. Ohio, occasional W. V. Glen Ellyn, uncommon and 
irregular W. V., Oct. 25-? SE. Minn., uncommon W. V. 
Nest, of twigs and rootlets lined with finer materials, in coniferous trees a 
few feet up. Eggs, “pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with dark 
brown surface markings and lilac shell-spots, 1*05 x *74.” Date, Bangor, 
Maine, June 5. 
The Pine Grosbeak, like the Spruce Partridge and Canada Jay, may 
be said to find its true home in the coniferous forest or Canadian belt, 
which crosses the continent diagonally from Maine to Alaska. 
Like many of its congeners in this inhospitable region, it nests so 
early in the springtime that the winter’s frost and snow are still domi- 
nant among the evergreens when the eggs come to claim the attention 
of the pair. 
Its habits at this season are but little known; but in midwinter, when 
it comes southward in search of food, it is a well-known frequenter, in 
flocks, of plantations of mountain-ash trees, or groups of sumach bushes, 
whose unfallen berries provide it with a bountiful supply of nourishing 
diet. 
Its form has a general resemblance to that of the common Robin, 
but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking differences. 
It is rather slow and inactive when in a tree, and when on the wing 
it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic and during the spring- 
time has a prolonged and melodious song. At all times its colors, as 
above described, should distinguish the bird at a very considerable 
distance. Ernest Thompson Seton. 
1895. Brewster, Wm., Auk, XII, 245-256 (remarkable flight of). 
517. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus ( Gmel .). Purple Finch. 
Ad. <?. — Body streaked, suffused with rose-red, strongest on the head, rump, 
and breast, more brownish on the back; whiter, generally white, on the belly; 
wings and tail brownish fuscous, the outer webs of the feathers finely edged 
with rose-red; a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; outer tail- 
feathers longest. This plumage is acquired at the first postnuptial molt. 
Ad. $. — Very different, sparrowlike in appearance; upperparts dark grayish 
brown, finely streaked with black; wings and tail dark grayish brown; under- 
parts white, streaked, or with wedge- 
shaped spots of fuscous. A whitish super- 
ciliary line. Im. <?. — Similar to adult 
female. L., 6*22; W., 3*24; T., 2*29; 
B. , *45. 
Remarks. — Females and young males 
bear a decided resemblance to some Spar- 
rows, but the rounded bill, tufts of feathers 
over the nostrils, and forked tail are dis- 
tinguishing characters. 
Range. — E. N. Am. Breeds in Cana- 
dian and Transition zones from cen. B. 
C. , ne. Alberta, n. Ont. (Moose Factory), 
cen. Que. (Gaspe Basin), and N. F. to s. 
Alberta, N. D. (Turtle Mts.), cen. Minn., 
n. Ills., Pa. (mts.), n. N. J., and L. I.; 
winters from considerably n. of the south- 
Fig. 100. Purple Finch 
(Natural size.) 
