280 
FRINGILLA PURPUREA. 
183 . FRINGILLA PURPUREA , WILSON AND GMELIN. 
PURPLE FINCH. 
WILSON, PLATE VII. FIG. IV. MALE, SUMMER DRESS. — PLATE XLII. FIG. III. 
MALE, WINTER PLUMAGE. 
This is a winter bird of passage, coming to us in 
large flocks from the north, in September and October ; 
great numbers remaining with us in Pennsylvania 
during the whole winter, feeding on the seeds of the 
poplar, button-wood, juniper, cedar, and on those of 
many rank weeds that flourish in rich bottoms, and 
along the margin of creeks. When the season is very 
severe, they proceed to the south, as far at least as 
Georgia, returning north early in April. They now 
frequent the eliq trees, feeding on the slender but 
sweet covering of the flowers ; and as soon as the 
cherries put out their blossoms, feed almost exclusively 
on the stamina of the flowers ; afterwards the apple 
blossoms are attacked in the same manner; and their 
depredations on these continue till they disappear, 
which is usually about the 10th or middle of May. I 
have been told, that they sometimes breed in the 
northern parts of New York State, but have never met 
with their nests. About the middle of September, I 
found these birds numerous on Long Island, and round 
Newark in New Jersey. They fly at a considerable 
height in the air, and their note is a single chink , like 
that of the rice bird. They possess great boldness and 
spirit, and, when caught, bite violently, and hang by 
the bill from your hand, striking with great fury ; but 
they are soon reconciled to confinement, and in a day 
or two are quite at home. I have kept a pair of these 
birds upwards of nine months to observe their manners. 
One was caught in a trap, the other was winged with 
the gun ; both are now as familiar as if brought up 
from the nest by the hand, and seem to prefer hemp 
seed and cherry blossoms to all other kinds of food. 
Both male and female, though not crested, are almost 
