90 



THE OOLOGIST 



only a naturalist knows how to interpretate. 



Studies on Certain Fringillidae. — 

 The Black Snow Bird. 



A MONG the numerous winter visitants 

 to the United States, the Snow Bird, 

 Junvo hijemalis, is one of the most abund- 

 ant. It appears in cultivated districts of 

 the Middle and New England States about 

 the first of September, in company with 

 Sparrows of various species, and also fre- 

 (juently with Kinglets and Warblers. Its 

 habits are not imlike those of most fringil- 

 !ine birds, while its plumage is nearly al- 

 ways a distinguishing feature. In breed- 

 ing season the female is quite drab allover, 

 the distinction between the darker upper 

 parts and the light under parts being, in 

 >ome cases, almost imjjerceptible a few rods 

 away, iu which case the whitish beak and 

 Sparrow-iike twitter readily distinguish it. 

 It is never shy, penetreting into tlie hearts 

 iif cities in quest of food iu severe winters, 

 and alighting on windowsills aud door steps ; 

 it is the same bird, both in its breed- 

 ing grounds and during its winter visits. 

 Its care of the young is noticeable for the 

 /ealousness with which they are guarded, 

 the least approach to the sacred spot being 

 greeted with chipperings aud quickly re- 

 peated notes, which express genuine solici- 

 tude, while the parents hop excitedly from 

 one spriti to another and peer down through 

 the leaves iu an entreating attitude. 



Janro hyemalis nests regularly in the 

 wooded and hilly portions of the Northern 

 States, as far south as the 43rd Parallel. 

 It is common throughout the Adiroudacks 

 in nesting season, and may be seen there 

 in any favorable situation. We have found 

 it especially abundant near the edge of the 

 Great Woods, where both old and young 

 were abundant. They seemed to prefer 

 the bushy and scrubby portions of the for- 

 est, and were met with even in the densest 

 regions, where many young were seen. It 

 probably nests in these secluded retreats, 

 and if oui' experience may go toward shdw- 



ing its fondness for any particular locality, 

 we should look for their nests in the deep 

 woods rather than in open, treeless places. 

 The parents and young remain about the 

 breeding ground until it is time to flock, 

 when, the adults having acquired a new 

 phmiage and the young attained full feath- 

 er, they gather together and commence the 

 journey southward. They ramble about 

 from field to field in an uncertain manner, 

 visiting one place perhaps but for a mo- 

 ment, when they are off to another, where 

 they may remain for weeks. Their ap- 

 pearance in open districts is an indication 

 of cold weather, and if early, of the searing 

 of the fields and coloring of the leaves. 



These birds migrate iu flocks of from a 

 few to a hundred or more individuals. Their 

 habits at this time are mainly terrestrial, 

 a great change from those of its nesting 

 grounds, where it occupies the trees and 

 saplings, often at considerable elevation. 

 It is mainly a grain eater, and like its con- 

 geners, will eat apple and otlier fruit blos- 

 soms when obtainable. It is very fond of 

 crumbs, and will often remain about the 

 garden throughout the winter if well fed. 

 It undoubtedly destroys many insects dur- 

 ing the breeding season. It is commonly 

 seen about spruce and hemlock trees, where 

 it doubtless obtains seeds and insects. When 

 suddenly surprised the Snow Bird litters a 

 twitter and flies hurriedly up, alighting a 

 few rods distant,. whence its further flight 

 is proclaimed by another quickly uttered 

 twitter. It may often be seen on the se- 

 verest days of winter, like the Snow Bunt- 

 ing, feeding in the roadway or on the bare 

 spots in meadows and pastures. It is a 

 quiet bird, always agreeable, aud seldom 

 quarrels with its own or other species. 



CoLLKCTOits report not only good success 

 from oological rambles, but that the rarity 

 of specimens taken in various places, has 

 been such as to add greatly to the value of 

 the year's collection of skins. Quality has 

 seemed to rule. 



