346 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



The peculiar rustling of the leaves which we hear 

 in dense woods and thick patches of brier-bushes 

 on still clays, is often due to its movements in 

 quest of food. Its common places of resort for 

 this purpose are among the leaves underneath 

 bramble-bushes and low growths of hemlock- 



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spruce, where it remains for hours at a time. 

 While thus occupied, it is so intent upon its task, 

 as to be scarcely cognizant of intrusion. It is a 

 silent feeder. Its flight is low, but slightly sus- 

 tained, and with a kind of jerking undulatory 

 movement. Its ground-movements are character- 

 ized by notable agility. When disturbed, it seeks 

 safety in short flights, or accomplishes the same 

 purpose, by running. 



The call-note of the Chewink is a simple ko-reet, 

 uttered low, and at irregular intervals. When 

 frightened, or vexed by repeated annoyance, its 

 note then seems to resemble che-ivlnk, pitched in 

 a rather high key, produced with a sharp, dis- 

 tinct articulation, and repeated three times in 

 succession, when, a lull ensues, to be followed by 

 a similar repetition, Its song may be expressed 

 bv the following syllables which will be found to 



* o J 



differ somewhat from NuttalFs description: {whit- 

 fwltee-te-te. 



Seeds, berries, and various insects, compose its 

 bill of fare. Among the former may be enumer- 

 ated the seeds of Abies canadensis, A. nigra, Lin- 

 aria canadensis, Ambrosia arlcinisicefolia, A. Iriji- 

 dnui, Chenopodiwm album, Amarantus hybridus, 



