Plate Number: I 41

Fringilla Purpurea: The Purple Finch

In Size and Shape this Bird differs but little from our Chaffinch. The Belly is White: The rest of the Body is of a dusky purple Colour; but with a Mixture of Brown in some Parts; particularly, the interior Vanes of the Wing-Feathers are brown, as are the Tail-Feathers towards the End. The Hen is brown, having her Breast spotted like our Mavis. When they first appear in Carolina (which is usually in November) they feed on the Berries of Juniper; and in February they destroy the swelling Buds of Fruit-Trees, in like Manner as our Bull-finches. They associate in small Flights, and retire at the Approach of Winter.

Arbor in aqua nascens, foliis latis acuminatis &non dentatis fructu Eleagni minore: The Tupelo Tree

This Tree usually grows large and spreading, with an erect trunc and regular Head. The Leaves are shaped like those of the Bay-Tree. In Autumn its Branches are thick set with oval black Berries on long Foot-stalks, each Berry having a hard channell'd flattish Stone. These Berries have a very sharp and bitter Tast:, yet are Food for many wild Animals, particularly Raccoons, Oppossums, Bears, &c. The Grain of the wood is curled and very tough, and therefore very proper for Naves of Cart-wheels and other Country-Uses. They grow usually in moist Places, in Virginia, Maryland and Carolina.