I would have to concur, based upon Purple Finches banded in Clatsop Co.
OR. The better keys to Cassin's/Purple identification are the degree
of contrast to the streaking on the back and bill shape, both of which
are also very qualitative in the field.


>
>Having banded hundreds of both purple and Cassin's finches we do not believe
>that streaking on the under-tail coverts if a confirmation of Cassin's rather
>than purples... There is a lot of variability on that feature. We have
>had Cassin's with no streaking and purples with light streaking. We band
>North of Blewett/Swauk Pass near Camas Meadows and Have flocks of both in that
>area.
>
>

--
*********************************** I was of three minds
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * like a tree
* mpatters at orednet.org * in which there are three blackbirds.
*http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters* -Wallace Stevens