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Bird- Lore 



of this kind, when a stranger comes too near, their little bills are instantly 

 opened, their wings arc extended, their eyes are seen to sparkle, and they emit 

 a repelling sound peculiar to themselves on such occasions. 



"They are aware of the advantages to be derived by them from larger birds 

 scratching the earth, and in some degree keep company with Partridges, Wild 

 Turkeys, and even Squirrels, for the purpose of picking up such food as these 

 animals may deem beneath their notice. This habit is more easily observed in 

 those which frequent the farm-yards, where the domestic fowls prove regular 

 purveyors to them. The report of a gun, or the unexpected barking of a dog, 



J L N CO - 1 K K U 1 N G U .\ W I \ DOW-SHELF 

 Wyncote (PaO Bird Club 



causes the little flock to rise and perch, either on the fences or on an adjoining 

 tree, where, however, they remain only for a few minutes, after which they 

 return to their avocations. They are particularly fond of grass-seeds, to procure 

 which they often leap up from the ground and dexterously seize the bending 

 panicles. 



"It is a true hopping bird, and performs its little leaps without the least 

 appearance of moving either feet or legs, in which circumstance it resembles the 

 Sparrows. Another of its habits, also indicative of affinity to these birds, is 

 its resorting at night, during cold weather, to stacks of corn or hay, in which it 

 forms a hole that affords a snug retreat during the continuance of such weather, 

 or its recurrence through the winter. In fine weather, however, it prefers the 

 evergreen foliage of the holly, the cedar, or low pines, among which to roost. 

 Its flight is easy, and as spring approaches, the males chase each other on wing, 



