Bob -

Abandon all hope.  I had a good look at these birds and all indicators point
to a Purple Finch pair.  Head to tail, the male was awash in raspberry-red,
brightest on the head and upper breast.    The female was a darker brown
than a House Finch with the breast more predominately streaked.  Both birds
were also fuller in size as compared to House Finch.   After receiving your
email,  I carefully consulted the National Geographic, Sibley and Peterson
field guides for a post-sighting assessment and felt comfortable with my ID.

Tom Marko
Olney, MD
Montgomery Bird Club (MOS)
Email:  

-----Original Message-----
From:  [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 7:17 PM
To: 
Cc: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Blue Mash Nature Trail

Tom,
   I hope you meant House Finch, not Purple Finch.

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD