492 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



a scanty pittance from the frozen and exposed ground, 

 or stop to collect the seeds, which still remain upon the 

 unshorn weeds, rising through the dreary waste. At 

 such times they are also frequently accompanied by the 

 Snow Bunting, the humbly dressed Yellow Bird, and 

 the querulous Chicadee. Driven to straits, however, by 

 hunger, they at length become more familiar, and are now 

 seen about the barns and out-houses, spreading them- 

 selves in busy groups over the yard, and even approach- 

 ing the steps of the door in towns and cities, and glean- 

 ing thankfully from the threshold any crumbs or acciden- 

 tal fragments of provision. Amidst all this threatening 

 and starving w^eather, which they encounter almost alone, 

 they are still lively, active, and familiar. The roads, 

 presenting an accidental resource of food for these north- 

 ern swarms, are consequently more frequented by them 

 than the fields. Before the severity of the season com- 

 mences, they are usually only seen moving in families ; 

 and the parents, watchful for the common safety, still 

 continue by reiterated chirpings to warn their fuJl-grown 

 brood of every approach of danger, and, withdrawing 

 them from any suspicious observation, wander off to se- 

 curer ground. At this time they frequent the borders of 

 woods, seek through the thickets and among the fallen 

 leaves for their usual food of seeds, and dormant insects, 

 or their larvae. Their caution is not unnecessary, for on 

 the skirts of the larger flocks the famished Hawk prowls 

 for his fated prey, and descending, with a sudden and 

 successful sweep, carries terror through all the wander- 

 inor and retreatincr ranks. 



In the latter end of March or beginning of April, as 

 the weather begins to be mild, they reappear in flocks 

 from the South, frequenting the orchard trees, or retreat- 

 ing to the shelter of the woods, and seem now to prefer 



