344 THE BLACK SNOW BIRD. 



Few birds are better known than the Linnet, although the change of plumage to which it 

 is subject in the different seasons of the year has caused the same bird, while in its winter 

 plumage, to be considered as distinct from the same individual in its summer dress. Except 

 daring the breeding season, the Linnets associate in flocks, flying from spot to spot, and feed- 

 ing upon the seeds of various plants, evidently preferring those of the thistle, dandelion, and 

 various cruciferous plants. It is a very lively bird, and is possessed of a sweet and agreeable, 

 though not very powerful song. 



THE PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus). This is a winter bird of passage, coming 

 to us in the Northern States in September and October. Great numbers remain during the 

 winter as far south as Pennsylvania, feeding on the seeds of buttonwood, cedar, etc. 



In severe seasons they are found farther south. They return north to breed in May. The 

 Purple Finch is a hardy, vigorous bird, and very quarrelsome if placed with other birds 

 as pets. 



A Californian variety is known, and three other species of the genus Carpodacus. 



THE CANARY, THE SPARROWS, AND THE BUNTINGS. 



THE SNOW BIRD, which is not to be confounded with the Snow Bunting, hereafter to be 

 described, is an inhabitant of America, and has a very large range of country. 



According to Wilson's lively description of this bird, "at first they are most generally 

 seen on the borders of woods among the falling and decayed leaves, in loose flocks of thirty or 

 forty together, always taking to the trees when disturbed. As the weather sets in colder, they 

 venture nearer the farm-houses and villages, and on the approach of what is usually called 

 'falling weather,' assemble in larger flocks, and seem doubly diligent in searching for food. 

 This increased activity is generally a sure prognostic of a storm. 



" When deep snow covers the ground, they become almost half domesticated. They collect 

 about the barns, stables, and other out-houses, spread over the yard, and even round the steps 

 of the door ; not only in the country and villages, but in the heart of our large cities ; crowd- 

 ing around the threshold early in the morning, gleaning up the crumbs, and appearing very 

 lively and familiar. They also have recourse at this severe season, when the face of the earth 

 is shut up from them, to the seeds of many kinds of weeds that still rise above the snow, 

 in corners of fields, and low sheltered situations, along the borders of creeks and fences, where 

 they unite with several species of sparrow. They are at this time easily caught with almost 

 any kind of trap, are generally fat, and it is said are excellent eating." 



At the very beginning of summer, as soon as the weather begins to be warm, the Snow 

 Bird retires from its winter quarters, and migrates to the higher regions of the earth, for 

 the purpose of breeding. Even in the business of rearing their young, the Snow Birds are 

 very gregarious, placing the nest upon the ground, or on the grass, in close proximity to 

 each other. 



The head, neck, and upper parts of the body, and the wings, are very deep, slaty -brown, 

 either color predominating according to the age of the individual and the season of the year. 

 The lower parts of the breast and the abdomen are pure snowy-white, and the two exterior 

 tail-feathers are of the same hue, the secondaries being dark slate. The female has but little 

 of the slaty-blue, and is almost wholly brown. The total length of this species is about six 

 inches. 



THE BLACK SNOW BIRD (Junco hycemalis formerly fringilla) is a cheery, pretty little 

 winter visitor from the far north, and is by far the most numerous and widely disseminated 

 of all the feathered tribes that come from that direction. Their migrations extend from the 

 Arctic Circle to Mexico, and from the Atlantic Ocean to Louisiana. As the winter lengthens, 

 this bird, in flocks, approaches the farm-houses, and even the dwellings in towns. They are 

 lively and familiar little creatures. 



