Mearns on Less Hardy Winter Residents. 35 



ing among the cedars, in sunny places, till the early part of the following 

 month, after which all depart to a more genial climate farther south. But 

 during the past winter (1877-78) they remained in considerable num- 

 bers throughout that section of the Hudson Valley known as the High- 

 lands. Their food consists mainly of the berries of the red cedar. The 

 following notes are extracted from my journal : " November 26, 1877. Still 

 abundant, flying about uttering a loud chip, and feeding on the berries of 

 the red cedar. December 19. Yellow-rumps still here; have been stead- 

 ily abundant up to this time. January 8, 1878. Still present; weather 

 intensely cold; ground covered with snow. January 18. Quite numer- 

 ous. They are flying about in the orchards, and inhabit bushy places 

 near the river, or among the cedars. They seem to be quite contented so 

 long as the ground is bare ; but after a long snow-storm they are seen 

 flying restlessly about, seeking with great alacrity any bare spot of ground. 

 Numbers were seen during the last storm about the woodpile, in company 

 with Panes alricapillus. February 1 2. Very numerous among the cedars 

 and all along the way ; feeding on cedar berries, in company with the 

 Robins ; just beginning to acquire the summer plumage, as are also the 

 Yellow-Birds (Ckrysomitris fiistis). This change, as in the Yellow- Birds, 

 is confined, at this season, to a few feathers of the rump and crown. 

 March 8. One small flock seen ; still in winter plumage. March 18. 

 Numerous at Rhinebeck, Duchess Co., N. Y. April 3. Several seen. 

 One that I shot was in the midst of the spring moult ; the new feathers 

 being those of the nuptial dress." 



From the above notes it will be seen that the Yellow-rumps were steadily 

 present in considerable numbers throughout the past winter. They were 

 always gentle and familiar ; uttered a sprightly chip, — the solitary ex- 

 pression of their various emotions, — and were very agreeable winter com- 

 panions. Later in the spring they favor us with a very pleasant little 

 song. 



7. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. — These beautiful birds 

 and sweet songsters are regular winter residents. In winter there is 

 always a great preponderance of females, — almost as marked as was 

 noted in the case of Pinicola enucleator and JEyiothus linaria, in the early 

 part of the winter of 1874. Even the females are heard singing during 

 the coldest weather ; this is of common occurrence in early winter. They 

 are gregarious, often assembling in very large flocks. On such occasions 

 they are quite wild, and, on being approached, all rise at once on wing, 

 with a loud, rushing noise, accompanied by certain peculiar wild notes, 

 which produces quite a startling effect. They feed upon seeds, chiefly 

 those of the iron-wood (Ostrya virginica), and red cedar berries. 



8. Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. — A regular winter resi- 

 dent, throughout the severest winters, in favorable situations ; its abun- 

 dance and dispersion depend on the character of the winter. 



9. Melospiza palustris. Swamp Sparrow. — I have an impression 



