30 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIOiNS TO MAN„ 



are enjoyed by goldfinches, and that Enghsh sparrows and 

 Baltimore orioles occasionally fall into the evil habit of eating 

 green peas. Except in rare instances, however, these garden 

 invasions are insignificant. 



Among the trees that contribute seeds to the birds, the dif- 

 ferent species of elms deserve notice, the more especially as 

 their seeds mature earlier than those of most other plants. 

 The seeds of the widely diffused white elm ripen in the lati- 

 tude of central New England about the first of June, and at 

 once become a lure to the arboreal seed-eaters, — cross-bills, 

 goldfinches, and purple finches, — which when the seeds fall 

 follow them to join the host of "ground sparrows,'' song, 

 vesper, and others, that ordinarily live on the seeds of weeds 

 and do not feel at ease away from the cover of low vegetation. 



The birches are also iiii[)()rfaiil elements in bird food, because 

 their tiny winged seeds ai'e cpiite persistent, many of them cling- 

 ing to the catkins throughout the winter. They ofi'er an un- 

 faihng supply so long as they remain upon the trees, and are 

 liberally patronized by the winter finches, redpolls, siskins, and 

 cross-bills. The small gray birch is levied upon in autumn by 

 chipping and field sparrows, and in winter it becomes an es- 

 pecial favorite with jnncos, tree-sjiarrows, and redpolls. Seeds 

 of the yellow birch are sought by redpolls, siskins, and cross- 

 bills, the last two more particularly as they prefer the woods, 

 where this species is usually found, to more open pastures. 

 The seeds of the other birches are also eaten to some extent, 

 but they do not appear to be held in such high regard by birds 

 as the two kinds that have been mentioned. 



Maple seeds are more or less important in bird economy 

 according to circumstances. As a rule, the sparrows and 

 finches do not care for them so much as for smaller seeds 

 that are more easily swallowed. The winter grosbeaks, pine 

 and evening, however, find them quite to their taste, and give 

 them almost exclusive attention so long as the supply holds 

 out. It sometimes happrns tliat a severe drouth in August 



