Family Fringillidcs- -American Goldfinch 115 



cially numerous near the coast, where they feed 

 upon small shell-fish. They commonly move in 

 flocks, which often contain thousands of individuals, 

 and may then be seen " whirling like a flurry of 

 snow before alighting on the ground." 



The sudden flurries of snowbirds 

 Like brown leaves whirling by. 



LOWELL. 



They may be seen at any time in the winter, but 

 are most likely to appear after there has been a 

 heavy snowstorm in the north. 



Breeding occurs in the Arctic regions. One nest 

 was found "situated in a cave in a sandbank." 



The note which I have most commonly heard is 

 a weak chirrup, often uttered when on the wing. 

 Minot speaks also of a " clearly piped whistle." 



61. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH ; YELLOW BIRD 



THISTLE BIRD 



(Spin us tristis . ) 



Male in spring plumage : entire body clear yellow ; forehead, 

 wings, and tail black, the last two with white markings. Beak 

 conical, horn colored ; feet horn colored. Bird about two-thirds 

 as large as a sparrow. Female and male in fall plumage: 

 upper parts olivaceous ; under parts yellowish gray ; wings and 

 tail dusky, marked with white. 



THIS beautiful little bird comes to us in March or 

 early April, and leaves again in October, though 



