72 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



siderable difficulty, it is natural that the feeling of 

 affection so strong and ardent during the breeding 

 season, should be temporarily merged into the all- 

 absorbing pursuit of the means of support. 



Whilst securely intent upon feeding, the faintest 

 noise is instantly perceived. When apprised of its 

 cause, and danger is imminent, retreat is precipi- 

 tate. We have often been amused while watching 

 its movements on descrying a human being. As 

 though unperceived, or thinking to conceal itself, 

 on such occasions it would pass round to the op- 

 posite side of the tree from him, and by an almost 

 vertical course, direct its way to the topmost 

 boughs, and, then, as if actuated by a sudden im- 

 pulse, fly quickly away. 



During the rigor of winter, the eggs, larvae and 

 imagos of coleoptera which it manages to draw 

 from the cracks of bark, constitute mainly its diet, 

 We have frequently seen it upon the evergreen 

 branches of the hemlock, spruce, and the yellow- 

 birch, feeding upon the seeds which occupy the 

 loose cones of the former and the catkins of the 

 latter. Later in winter and during the early spring 

 diverse beetles are eagerly devoured. We have 

 found in the stomachs ol several individuals the 

 remains of Cratonychus cinercus, C.pertinax, Rhyn- 

 ch&us pini, Bostrichns pini, Platymis aipripennis, 

 Har pains com par, Formica sanguinea and F. sub- 

 terranea. 



In its rapid movements from tree to tree in quest 

 of insects, we are reminded of its presence by its 



