BIRD LIFE IN WASHINGTON 
17 
ary when the alder cones are hanging full 
of seeds. 
An alder tree is often truly alive with 
these tiny sparrow colored citizens who, 
while they feast, keep np the loveliest 
chatter. 
Pine Siskins travel in flocks except 
when building or taking care of a home. 
Any time during the spring or summer 
months, a pair may leave the main ranks, 
and choose a pretty curve high up on a 
limb of an alder tree for a home site. 
The mother bird “sits close,” as we say. 
That is, it is hard to drive her from the 
nest. I have thrown sticks at her for half 
an hour, while she sat quietly on the nest 
paying no heed to me. 
I had no intention to hit the little wife, 
but I don't see how she knew it. She 
changes the position of her eggs every few 
minutes. When she hears her mate’s 
voice, she is on the alert in an instant. 
It is worth a visit to Birdland to see 
him feed her. She stretches up her bill 
and father bird puts her dinner into it, 
CALIFORNIA PURPLE FINCH 
When we first meet the Purple Finch 
we look in vain for the purple in his cos¬ 
tume. His colors vary from madder red 
to madder pink. He is not so handsome 
in his younger days. Then he is striped 
like a sparrow. 
