FEIXGILLID.E — TliK FINCHES. 487 



The same peculiarities of irregular appearance have been observed by Mr. 

 Allen, iu SpriugKekl, wliere it is often a very abundant visitor, but gen- 

 erally not so common. In tiie winter of 1859 -CO the pine woods in the 

 vicinity of that city abounded with them, and in February they were already 

 in full song. They are at all times gregarious, and ai'e sometimes seen in 

 large Hocks. 



Tliey luu'e, as they fly, a loud, peculiar, and not unmusical cry. This call- 

 note they do not utter when at rest or when feeding. Tlieir song iu the spring 

 and summer is varied and pleasing, but is not powerful, or in any respect 

 remarkable. This song is especially noticeable in caged birds, wlio soon be- 

 come very tame, and feed readily from the hand, even when taken at an 

 adult age. Their manners in confinement are very like those of the Parrots, 

 clinging to the top of the wires with their claws, hanging with their heads 

 downward, and, when feeding, holding their food in one claw. On the trees, 

 their habits and manner are also said to be similar to those of Parrots. 



Mr. Audubon has found these birds, in August, in the pine woods of Penn- 

 sylvania, and inferred that they breed there. This does not necessarily fol- 

 low. They breed so early at the north as to give ample time for their 

 migrations, even iu midsummer, to remote places. Professor Baird, how- 

 ever, informs me that during a summer spent in the mountains of Schuylkill 

 County, Penn., in the coal region, he saw them nearly every day, moving 

 about or feeding, in pairs. 



The Crossbills are extremely gentle and social, are easily approached, 

 caught in traps, and even knocked down with sticks. Tlieir food is chiefly 

 the seeds of the Conifcra; and also those of plants. Audubon's statement that 

 they destroy apples merely to secure the seeds is hardly accurate. They 

 are extravagantly fond of this fruit, and prefer the flesh to its seeds. Their 

 flight is undulating, somewhat in the manner of the Goldfinch, firm, swift, 

 and often protracted. As they fly, they always keep up the utterance of 

 their loud, clear call-notes. They move readily on the ground, up or down 

 the trunks and limbs of trees, and stand as readily with their heads down- 

 ward as upright. 



Wilson states that in the interior of Pennsylvania this species appears in 

 large flocks in the winter, and during the prevalence of deep snows they 

 keep about the doors of dwellings, pick off the clay with which these huts 

 are plastered, and are exceedingly tame and not easily driven off. 



So far as is known, these Crossbills breed in midwinter, or very early in 

 the spring, when the weather is the most inclement. The nest and eggs 

 of this species were procured by Mr. Charles S. Paine, in East Eandolph, Yt., 

 early in the month of JIarcli. The nest was built in an upper branch of an 

 elm, — which, of course, was leafless, — the ground was covered with snow, 

 and the weather severe. The birds were very tame and fearless, refusing to 

 leave their eggs, and had to h& several times taken off Ijv the hand. After 

 its nest had been t-akeu, aud as Mr. Paine was descending with it iu his hand. 



