OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 269 



latitude we have never seen more than three of 

 four individuals at a time, frequently less, consort- 

 in^ with Yiuirttji hvcmalis and our common winter 



O *r * 



sparrows. 



On their visits about our yards in quest oi food, 

 they betray but little timidity and behave them- 

 selves with all the farniliaritv of the Black Snow 



* 



Bird. In the rural districts, however, they appear 

 less tame ' and affect a predilection for running 

 water, where in early spring they may be seen 

 feasting upon the tender catkins of the Alnus 

 serrulata. 



Their food consists of the berries of Juniperus 

 i ~irgiuiana, J. comuiiinis, and Loniccra periclymc- 

 nuin; besides, the seeds of Pinus mops, Abies 

 nigra, ;L tanadeusis, B etui a nigra, and those of 

 Amarantus hybridits, and various grasses. In 

 the winter they feed upon broom-seed, cracked 

 corn, and the scraps and refuse matter which are 

 discarded by the cook, lust before retiring in 

 early April, the eggs and pupae <>f Cratonychus 

 'incrcus, C. pcrtina.\\ and other beetles are eagerly 

 devoured. 



During their stay they are devoid of song; not 

 even so much as a simple call-note have we heard 

 them utter, in Scotland their call-note is said to 

 . be very pleasing and often repeated during their 

 rlight in a compact body. Before alighting upon 

 the ground they make several sudden turns com-* 

 ing into contact with each other and uttering 

 several guttural notes. They seldom perch but 



