The birds of the United States may be divided into two general classes, summer birds and winter birds. The first class visit us in the spring, from the regions of the South, for the purpose of incubation; that duty being performed, the young fledged, and the old birds recruited, and their old feathers replaced by new, they leave us for more congenial climes to spend their winter, and return again in the spring. The second class having performed the same duty in the Northern regions, visit us to escape the rigors of the winter, again to return north in the spring. This bird's migrations do not extend so far north as some of our visiters, who have been found as far north as has yet been explored. The Purple Finch is a strong and vigorous bird, and a very good songster. They have a very fine warbling note, continued to a considerable length, not unlike a Canary bird, but not so loud; they have also a kind of a call note, louder and very pleasant. They have been crossed with the Canary, the male Finch with the hen Canary, and the produce is a very fine vigorous and loud-singing mule bird.

Food

They are a hardy bird, and will thrive well on hemp and Canary. half of each, and plenty of gravel in the bottom of the cage; this should never be omitted, as it is very necessary for all birds, especially those who live upon seeds, for the proper digestion of their food.

Characteristics Of The Sexes

There is some difference of opinion as to the distinguishing markings of the male and female of this bird; there are some gray and others red, and it is supposed by some, that there are two different species, and by others, that the gray ones are all females. The first is not correct; they are the same species. And as to the second, I have proved by dissection, that some of the gray ones are males. The truth, I think is, that the gray ones, the males at least, are birds of the first year, as most of our birds are three, and some of them four years, before they arrive at their full plumage. The old females may be gray, but at all events, the old males are a dark blood red on the head, breast, and neck, which turns after the first moulting in the cage to a dark golden yellow. They are much wilder than some others of our winter visitants, the cause may be their breeding in more populous districts, as they do not go so far north as others, (as has been observed,) but they can be tamed and thrive well, and are contented in a domestic state.

Location

Found in the Middle and Northern States in the winter and spring; in summer, to the Northward of this.