PURPLE FINCH. 
Ill 
deeply forked tail. The females and young of frontalis are more finely streaked above and below. I cannot consistently 
consider the so called “ Cali/ornicus” and “ Cassinii ” as species, so give them as synonyms. Distributed during summer 
across the Continent north of latitude 40°. Winters between latitudes 42° and 30°. Rare in Northern Florida. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of twenty-seven specimens. Length, 5'95; stretch, 8'95; wing, 4'35; tail, 2*20; bill,'57; tar¬ 
sus, '45. Longest specimen, 6'35; greatest extent of wing, 10'40; longest wing, 3'47; tail, 2'40; bill, '70; tarsus, '50. Short¬ 
est specimen, 5 50; smallest extent of wing, 9'47; shortest wing, 3'12; tail, 2'00; bill, '42; tarsus, '45. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in trees, composed of small twigs and fine roots, lined with horse-hair and strips of fibrous bark, usually 
from cedar trees. Dimensions; external diameter, 4'50, internal, 2'75. External depth, 2'50, internal, 1'50. 
Eggs, four or five in number, oval in form, light-blue in color, spotted and dotted, irregularly, with black, lilac, and 
umber. The black markings occasionally form lines. Dimensions from '85 x '55 to '86 x '60. 
HABITS. 
When the stately elm trees of New England are putting forth their blossoms, which 
always appear when the trees are destitute of leaves, troops of Purple Finches may be seen 
perched on the high branches, eagerly devouring the bursting buds. Later, when the 
apple trees are covered with pink and white flowers, these birds visit them in order to feed 
on the petals. Finches which I have dissected at this time were literally crammed with 
such food. This practice must be detrimental to the fruit as many stamens are also detach¬ 
ed by the Finches when they are removing the petals. As these birds eat but few insects, 
subsisting the greater portion of the year upon seeds and berries of the cedar, they never 
recompense the husbandman for the injury which they do him. In spite of this, however, 
the Red Linnets, as they are commonly called, are great favorites with almost everybody, 
which is mainly due to the fact that their song is exceedingly fine being a continuous, rip¬ 
pling melody, but their musical qualities are frequently a cause of misfortune to them as 
many are captured and caged. They thrive well in confinement, amply rewarding the care 
which is bestowed upon them by frequently pouring forth their charming, carol. Contrary 
to the rule, the females sing although not as loudly as the males, but the song is nearly as 
fine. This species is at least three years in acquiring the full dress, but the young breed 
while in the gray plumage. The nests are usually placed in low cedars and I have known 
of several pairs to occupy adjacent trees. They are not very solicitous for the safety of 
their eggs, merely uttering a few alarm notes if disturbed. When frightened they will 
dart into the nearest evergreen tree and remain perfectly quiet. One can then pass direct¬ 
ly under the birds without causing them to move, and, although there may be several, it 
is extremely difficult to discern them. Then suddenly one who is evidently the leader, 
will utter a peculiar, chucking note when instantly they will all spring into the air, rising 
and falling in their undulating flight until they disappear in the distance. The males have 
the somewhat similar habit of rising to a considerable height then descending slowly with 
wings held upwards, at the same time singing loudly. This is practiced only during the 
breeding season and usually in the immediate vicinity of the nests. 
The Purple Finches remain in Massachusetts in small flocks all winter, frequenting 
some thick grove, but they are much more common at this season'in the pine woods of 
Pennsylvania. They also occur on the plantations of the Carolinas and I have seen them, 
on one or two occasions, near Jacksonville. They appear to prefer the open country while 
