242 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



of some decaying monarch which evidently 

 affords a secure nesting place for many pairs of 

 these "denizens of the dark. " 



Several varieties that I have observed farther 

 south as rather silent, restless travelers during 

 migration here seem to have found the environ- 

 ment which develops the gayer side of their 

 natures, for they have become the merriest 

 minstrels, enlivening the long summer day with 

 happy song. Purple Finches that I know in the 

 open country for the most part as stragglers 

 here display new phases of character, being 

 both friendly and sociable. 



The males are seen in bands roaming about 

 the edges of the clearing, a common rendezvous 

 being the tops of the rock maples where they 

 greedily feed upon the kernels of the queer, 

 wing-shaped seeds. Keen hunger well satisfied, 

 they burst forth in rollicking song, sometimes 

 in a series of solos, again in a chorus which is 

 charming beyond the possibilities of description. 

 The wonderful volume and richness of their care- 

 lessly flowing warbles are quite new to me. 

 And while I have long regarded them as among 

 our most delightful singers, here they far excel 

 in quality of note and vivacity of execution 

 their usual exquisite song; and frequently I 

 hear several additional notes quite unknown to 

 me. The post-prandial concert over, away they 

 go to the woods and soon their sparrow-like 

 mates are seen silently foraging. They nest in 

 the firs and spruces which fringe the clearing 

 and are our constant and much admired enter- 

 tainers. 



