FINCHES. 39 



constructed of any of our birds' nests, containing 

 five nearly pure white eggs. 



The Pine Goldfinch (Chrysomitris pinus) is 

 a winter bird, sometimes seen in company with 

 the Chickadees and Redpolls, from which it is 

 abundantly distinguished by its clear voice and 

 strong, buoyant flight. 



The Snow Bunting ( Plectrophanes nivalis) is 

 the winged sprite of our winter wilds. Its plumes 

 mimic the purity of the crystal flakes, and it 

 comes in flocks wayward as the whirling drifts. 

 The Buntings are here in October, and then 

 frequent lonely shores and sand - reefs, running 

 over the sands in pursuit of marine insects in 

 company with Sanderlings and Plovers. We see 

 little of them till snow covers up their food in 

 the wilds, then they come about the farmsteads 

 looking for grain and stray seeds. They are very 

 fond of oats which they shell with address, eating 

 only the mealy kernel. 



Among the roving winter flocks we only hear 

 the softly - uttered flocking call ; but, as the breed- 

 ing season approaches, in April, the males will 

 sometimes sing a sweet Linnet - like song, when 

 enjoying the sunshine in some sheltered nook. 



