Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

CASSIN PURPLE FINCH.

518. Carpodacus cassini. 6 inches.

It is found west of the Rockies, breeding from British Columbia south to New Mexico, well up in the mountain regions, as far as the timber line extends. The back, wings and tail of this are darker than the preceding species; the purple color being more of a rosy tint. Their nests are made of twigs and rootlets, loosely put together, and almost flat; they lay three or four eggs not to be recognized from the last.