Fringilla purpurea, LINNÆUS; Bouvreuil violet de la Caroline,
BUFFON; Der Purpurfink, BECHSTEIN.
The size of this bird is that of the common chaffinch, the length being
five inches and a half; the plumage is of a deep violet, or reddish
purple, mixed with a little dark brown; the quill-feathers are brown on
the inside; the belly is white; the tail is rather forked.
The female is all over of a deep blue, except the breast, which is
speckled.
OBSERVATIONS.--These birds are very numerous during the summer in
Carolina, which they quit in the winter in small flights. Juniper
berries are their principal food; and they eat them with pleasure
when caged. They are generally fed with rape and canary seed; but are
soon accustomed to all the food of the aviary. They are more admired
for their plumage than their song.