OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 255 



In feeding it never visits the tall tree-tops, but 

 rather prefers low bushes and weeds. In the cold 

 season it feeds upon the seeds of Piinis strobus, 

 Pi nns inops, Abies canadcnsis, A. nigra, Bctulu 

 excelsa, Rh-iis glabra, and those of various grasses, 

 asters, and solidagos. In early spring it feasts 

 large!}' upon the. catkins of Alnus serrulata^ and 

 Betula nigra, and later, just before it takes its 

 departure upon the tender and fleshy cones of the 

 Conifers and the buds of Acer rubnun, A. saccha- 

 rinnin, and Pyi-iis malus. Among insects, the 

 eggs of the ApkiilaaxA Cocci d& that are adherent 

 to the branches of the common alder and other 

 shrubs, with the ova arid pupa of Cratonychus 

 ciiicrcu^., C. pcrtinax, and other beetles, are 

 esteemed racy tidbits. While feeding upon the 

 buds .of alder it will not hesitate to seize what- 

 ever of insect-life should pass athwart its vision. 



Its flight is graceful and undulating, and resem- 

 bles that of Ckrysomitris pinus. 



During its stay it is devoid of a regular soncr. 



^ o o 



The only note which it utters is a low soft call 

 ^ hich resembles that of the Goldfinch, and which is 

 produced in the intervals of feeding and during its 

 passage from bush to bush. Dall says its only 

 sono- is a few cheerful twitterings and chirpings. 



According to Mr. Dall it is a very abundant 

 summer resident at Nulata, and builds in bushes 

 near the ground a nest which is composed of 

 dry grasses and mosses, exteriorly, and is lined 

 with hair on the inside. Nidification commences 



